Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-28
HIS BROTHERS WIFE
BY RUBY M. AYRES
CHAPTER NIX
Discovery

|
he did not at all see why they could not
meet again.
He wondered what friends she had gone
to, and if she would be happy. He won
dered for whom she had been wearing
mourning when he met her the night the
Multane was lost. He had noticed that she
wore no wedding ring, or engagement ring,
and had been vaguely pleased.
She might have seen him again, if only
for a moment; she might have given him
some address to which to write. He won
dered if she would mind were he to ask for
one-'if she would be angry were he to call
and say his farewell in person.
| He had mo- appetite for his tea; he scram-
/ bled through the meal hurriedly, with one
eye on the dock.
She had said she twas leaving the flat
not that she chad left"
If he went round that evening he might
be in time to her.
He changed his office clothes for a blue
serge suit; he brushed his hair smartly, and
selected lis best tie; then he gave an
anxious 1ooF into the glass before he went
out again into the night.
1t seemed q long way to Mary's flat and
when he res ched it he hardly liked to ring.
He stood outside the shut door for a mo-
ment with a wretched sense of nervousness.
He wondered if she would be angry; he
wondered if she would consider it liberty
Oh MS pat 10 nave CaIl6Q at all; ne Won
dered if-With sudden impulse he lifted
his hand TO the bell.
He heard it go shrilling through the ST.
lence. After moment light shone
through the glass panel of the door; some
one drew back the bolt.
1t was Mary herself. There was IAN anx-
ious CLINT in her eyes, he thought and al
| though she smiled when she recognized him.
| her welcome was not quite spontaneous, he
told himself.
wanted to see you again. I am sorry you
are leaving. I hope it is not really good
by"
She had not asked him in and the light
of the narrow hall showed him that every
thing was stripped and bare The pictures
and furniture had all gone; a couple of
! large boxes stood one on the other against
the wall; @ big packing case was in the act
of being corded
Mary looked round nervousIy as If won
derng what he thought of it all
THE place is all dismantled" she said
| hesitatingly. "But if you will come in for
a moment"
He accepted eagerly. She shut the door,
and led the way into the dining room.
Here also everything had gone but small
| table and couple of chairs. A small fire
was burning, but the room looked deserted
and cheerless
The table was strewn with papers. MANY
were torn into pieces, and some of the frag-
| HOOP 2
drau@ht had caught and whired them down,
please sit down" said Mary.
Her voice was nervous. She remained
standing near the fire, holding her hands to
t the blaze and now young Evans saw that
the slim third finger of hcr left hand was
| barred with a wedding ring.
For moment he stared at ut with blank
eyes. He was sure she had not been VICAR
ing it when they had met before; his heart
oegan to beat with sort Of slow disappoint-
Almost as if she could feel his gaze Narv
half turned and looked toward him.
She moved her hand quickly into the shade
Of the folds of her black frock.
1t IS kind of you to come" she said az
did not like to ask you, but I am glad TO
be able to thank you for all you did for me
the other night"
Il did nothing I am sorry Won AFRO ooino
away. Is it very far?"
Hes-doWn in the country"
Inc reply was evasiye He realized that
she did not mean him to know her destina-
ton; he began stumbingy to put his wish
into words.
mind if I-if you would let me write YOU
sometimes? l won't bother you much, but if
| might write sometimes"
There was a little silence. Mary was look
ms away from him now and down into the
heart of the fire.
"hen she spoke her voice was kind but
rather cold.
Il am afraid I must say no. 1t isn't that
that l don't want you to | am afraid Won
must think me horribly unlind and migrate
full, 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.
L wouldn't worry you. I'd write very sell
dom; butt shall be so sorry Tiff we never
meet again.
The color was fluttering in her cheeks;
the hand half hidden in the folds of her
black frock twitched little.
You don't understand" she broke ont
helplessly. It's not that I don't want to see
you again, but-but l want to leave all nv
old life behind-to start afresh II haven't
been so very happy here that I wish to be re-
minded of it ALL" she added, with a catch in
her voice.
He took her hand-his own daring aston
ished him Such small nervous hand it
was. He felt all at once as if he wanted to
help her, to be kind to her, to interpose his
broad young shoulders between her and the
worlds buffeting.
4 know it must seem awful PRESUMPTION >
he said rather unsteadily. "But,"-he ston-
ped, and then rushed on again-"Ive never
taken fancy to anyone before-tiu I met
you, and"
She lifted her head, and he saw that there
were tears in her eyes, though she smiled
Why, I'm years older than YOU she said
tremulously. You're only boy. It's very
kind Of you. Please don't think I'm not
grateful; but it's quite, quite impossible"
You mean that I'm not the sort Of fellow
you could ever give a thought to-that-"