Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-09-13

MAY I oren it now" asked David. His
voice sounded more awake. He broke open
the seal without waiting for permission.
Dora watched him covertIy. She saw the
quick little frown that creased his brow; the
sudden start he gave.
"Anything eXciting?" she asked archly; but
he did not seem to hear her
CHAPTER LTx
Mary Is Dying
vF was reading the sprawled handwriting
Il eagerly: ., ..
I have never seen you, must not call you
David though we are brother and sister.
Poor Nigel told me so much about you that
1 really feel as if know you, although we
have never met.
"Weu, you will guess by this that am
Dolly-his wife, 1 writing to you because
I have nobody else in the world to help me,
and I am in great Trouble.
after Nigel died, I married again; I dare
say you know that by now; Mary Furnival
would have been sure to tell you. She was
kind to me, but she liked Nigel better than
she ever did me. I have written to her sew
eral times since left England, but she has
only answered one Of my letters. l suppose
she was angry with me for marrying again;
am afraid you will be, too, but my hus-
band begged me so hard-he was fond Of
me before ever l met your brother. l am
telling you this frankly, in the hope that
you will forgive and help me-
Robert is i'll now-so i'll that he cannot
work; and the very little money we had is
nearly gone. Sometimes I feel that perhaps
it is sort Of judgment on me for marrying
again soon.
81 sent you cable yesterday asking you
to help me and shall wait anXioUsly for your
reply Please, please, for Nigel's sake, be
| kind to me, because, after ali, I was his
wife, and he did love me.
''Your unhappy sster-in-law,
DOLLY DURHAM"
Bretherton read it through to the last
line without comment. He hated the tone
of her letter; the half conciIatory, half de-
fiant attitude CALLED him. When he reach
ed the end, he sprang to his feet
IF you will excuse me, I must see Monty
at once"
Dora gave a little chagrined laugh
q hope it isn't any bad news /"
1t was just then that young Evans rang
| the front door beA.
The servant came into the room as David
was leaving it.
ga young gentleman to see you, sir,
please she spoke to David. He said it
was most urgent. His name is Evans,
please, sir"
"Evans!" David echoed the word at first
blanlly, then with increasing interest
Evans, I will come and speak to him"
lie made hurried apology to Dora, and
went out, closing the door behind him.
Young Evans stood in the hall. He look
cd nervous and i'll at ease. When he saw
David, began an apology for disturbing him
Not at all; come in Mr.. Fishers study:
perhaps you will not mind his being pres
emit" =
Evans did not mind in the least He was
| conscious of a great sense of relief now he
mad burned his boats. He wished he had
gone gone TINS before; he knew it would have
been utterly impossible for him to have
gone through another night such as he had
spent after leaving the hospital
David led the way into Fishers room.
Sorry to disturb you, Monty Evans has
come up to see me-its important. he saws
May we come in?"
Fisher swung round in his chair.
by all means. Sit down, Evans
But Evans remained standing He looked
at David when he spoke
I wanted to tell you that know vbo~o
Miss FurnvaI is, sir"
Monty Fisher sprang to his feet eycited1v
1ou have known all along. I knew it,,
Evans eyes flashed, but he answered quite
respectfully; 4''-'0
L beg your pardon. sir; knew NOTHING
ABOUT it all until last night I met Miss
Furnival quite by chance and" h
paused turning again to David: II am
sorry to say that she met with an accident
sir" 81 "0oI'7A''
David had not spoken; but now he spoke
AN accident. Where?. When? Why
didn't you tell me before?"
His eyes We're fierce, but Evans stood his
ground manfully.
Because she was afraid of YOU. sir; be-
/ cause she made me promise not to even tell
you that l had seen her; but now-when she
! is so Il-perhaps dying"
/ DYING" The word was half groan.
/ David took a quick step forward: he caught
/ Evans arm.
/ Where is she-where is she? Heavens.
man, can't YOU speak? How slow YOU are"
+ Evans began to stammer.
+ She was afraid of you, sir. Afraid, She
thought YOU were g0ing to punish her. She
has been hiding. because she" He stopped;
+ there was no need TO finish the words The
| expression of David Brethertons eyes was d