New Britain herald., 1924-04-29

David mistakes Mary for his brothers wife and asks her to come to live with him and his aunt at Fed Grange. An acquaintance of hary's. named Evans, falls in love with her. Mary writes to tell him that she is leaving for the country.
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 If he went round that evening he might be in time to see her.
 Ee changed his office clothes for a blue serge suit: he brushed his hair smartly, and selected his best tie; then he gave an anxious look into the glass before he went out again into the night.
 It seemed a long way 10 Nary's flat. and when he reached it he hard ly liked to ring.
 He stood outside the shut door for a moment with a wretched sense of nervousness. He wondered if she would consider it a liberty on his part to have called at all; he wondered if With sudden impulse he lifted his hand to the bell.
 He heard it 60 shrillins through the silence. After moment a light shone through the glass panel of the door; someone drew back the bolt.
 It ~as Mary herself. There was an anxious Slint in her eyes, he thought. and. although she smiled when she recognized him, her well come was not quite spontaneous, he told himself.
 He explained his visit stammering- ly: "1 wanted 10 sec you again. I am sorry you arc leaving. I hope it is not really goodby"
 She had not asked him in, and the light of the narrow hall showed hin, that everything was stripped and bare. The pictures and furniture had all gone; a couple of large boxes stood one on the other against a wall: big packing case was in the act of being corded. ..,f.. ..
 Mary looked round neryously as if wondering what he thought of it all.
 The place is all dismantled," she said hesita;ingly. "But it you will come in for q moment"
 He accepted eagerly. She shut the door, and led the way into the din- ing room.
 Here also everything had gone but small table and a couple of chairs. 4 small fire was burning, but the room looked deserted and cheerless.
 The table was strewn with papers. Many were torn into pieces. ~pnd some Of the fragments had sallen to the floor a. If drarsht had caught and whlrled them Gown.
 "Please sit down." said Mary
 Her voice was nervous. She rec mained standing near tho fire, hold ing her hands near 10 the blaze, and now young Evans saw that the slim third finger of her left hand was barred with a wedding ring.
 For nor ,nt hc stared at it with blank eyes. He was sure she had not been wearing it when they had met before: his heart began to beat with sort Of slow disappointment. 7
 Almost as if she could feel his gaze, Mary half turned and looked toward him.
 She moved her hand quickly into the shade Of the folds Of her black frock.
 Tt is kind of you to some" she said. T did not lik. to ask you, but I am glad to be able to thank you for all you did for me the other night"
 "T did nothing am sorry you are going away Is it very far?"
 "Yes-dorn in the country."
 The reply was evasiye. He real ized that she did not mean him 10 know her destination: he began stumbling 10 put his wish into words.
 'I wanted 10 ask if--whether you would mind if Tiff YOU would let me write you sometimes? won't bother ,ou much, but if I might write some times"
 There was g little silence. Mary was looking away from him now. and down into the heart of the fire.
 When she spoke her voice va. kind but rather cold.
 "1 am afraid l must say no. If Isn't that f-that I don't want you to. ! am afraid you must think m. horribly unkind and ungrateful, but oh, I don't think you must."
 He rose from his chair and moved across to where she. was standing; his young face looked very earnest.
 1 wouldn't worry you. I'd write very seldom: butt shall be so sorry if--if we never meet again."
 The color was fustering in her cheeks. tSs hand half hidden in the folds o' her black frocs tsitched s little.
 You don't understatndi" she broke out heiplessly. "Tt's not that don't sant 10 see you again, but-but I want 10 leave all my old life behind to start afresh. I-I haven't been so Teiy happy here that I wish to be reminded os it all," she added, with a catch. in her voice.
 He took her hand--his own daring astonished him. Such . snsH nerv- oUs hand fl rss. He fsit all at once as if he wanted 10 help her, 10 be kind 10 her, to lnterpose his broad young shoulders beetgeen her and the worlds bufsetins.
 'I krow 1t must seem avfuJ pre- sumption" he said rather unsteAdilr. Buf-he stopped. and rushed on asain-'1'vs never taken a fsrcv to anyone before-toli T met you. and"
 She lifted her head. and he .sr that there were tears In her eyes. though she smiled.
 Why, I'm ysars oIeer than rou." she said tremuionsiy. You're oniy