Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-07-10
HIS BROTHERS WIFE
BY RUBY M. AYRES
CHAPTER XIV
At the Red Grange


n AIRY FURNIVAL woke the next morn
M ing to find Miss Varney at her bed
AFA side; she started up with a little
clamation.
els it very late? Oh, I am so sorr=.'
She glanced apprehensively at the little
clock on the mantelshelf; it pointed to 10.
distressed flush colored her cheeks.
"Oh, l am sorry. l had no idea it was so
late I never sleep on like this
Miss Varney laughed.
II am glad you have my dear; you looked
worn out last night told them not to dis
turb you Have you had good night?"
Mary looked rueful.
"Much too good, I'm afraid. I will get up
at once
They're bringing your breakfast up to
you. The fire has been lit already, You see;
it shows how soundly you SLEPT.
at seems impossible!'
Mary had been so sure that ssre would
not be able to sleep at all, and now for near
ly twelve hours she had slept dreamlessly.
similar maid brought her breakfast and
set it on small table close to the bed. 1t
'-as all most daintily served; the little tea
pot was silver; the tray cloth of fine linen,
embroidered with the Bretherton crest
Mary looked at everything with sort OF
awe. She had been used to such plain home
Illness all her life There was something
luxurious and delightful in this new dainti-
ness of surroundings.
She enjoyed her meal thoroughly; she felt
new energy and anticipation thrilling her as
she dressed. The dullness of yesterday had
gone; the sun shining; sparrows twit-
tered to each other in the ivy that covered
the face of the old house.
She went down the wide staircase won
dering what the day would bring forth In
the hall she met David Bretherton; he
stopped when he saw her, and held out his
hand.
Aunt Florence tells me that you have
broke the record for a long sleep" he said.
smiling. II hope you feel all the better for
it."
She flushed little.
II am afraid you must all think me hor-
rby lazy; I am always up so early, as
rule. And on such fine morning, tool"
would you like to go out? I am just
going round the-gardens; will you come with
me?"
'I should love to- She was all eagerness
! to see the well-remembered places; she
would rather revisit them with David than
anyone, seeing that she could never walk
! there again with his brother
A momentary wave of sadness swept
| through her heart as she went back upstairs
for hat and coat. 1t seemed, somehow,
mockery to be glad that the sun shone, and
that she should be here at Red Grange. when
one remembered that lonely grave some
where in France, and the horrors that were
! daily being enacted there.
But one cannot be altogether sad when
the sun is shining, and before she had gone
far with David she found herself chatting
and talking with him almost happily.
Aren't you very proud of your beautiful
| home? / think it must be wonderful to
know that you are one of family who has
lived here for generations and generations;
that it all belongs to YOU"
'I am proud of it, even though I shall
probably be the last Bretherton to live here"
She looked up startled.
what do you mean?'
"Only that now Nigel is gone there will be
nobody to carry on the name"
"But you will marry?"
He shook his head.
cts not very probable; I'm not the sort
of for" even if l wished
them to-" He smiled looking down at her.
ooh, but you mustn't think that" she told
him impulsively. cts only just that you
haven't met the right woman yet; some day
she will come along, and then"
YES and them" he echoed.
well, then, all the world will seem
changed and different you will wonder how
ever you managed to live without her."
His grave eyes searched her face.
us that how one feels when one is in
| love?"
She looked up, and quickly away again.
ooh, L" She broke off. II am afraid I
have been talking nonsense" she said dis
tressfully.
They had reached the end of the path
skrting the lawn, and David held open a
little gate leading to kitchen garden and
paddock beyond
"If it is nonsense, it's very charming non
sense" he said, smiling you make me feel
that have missed great deal by being a
bachelor"
She shook her head.
II didn't mean that; it isn't all roses when
you care for a person very much"
mot even when they care very much for
you in return?'
PIIt -
"And then" She broke off, wondering if he
realized what her words conveyed, but he
made no comment, and they walked on
silently.
Once he stopped to speak to one of the
gardeners; the glanced at Mary and
touched his cap respectfully
This Is Mr.. Nigels widow" said David.
He did not look at Mary as he spoke, or he
might have seen the sudden palor that drove
the color from her face she turned abrupt
/ ~ and walked a step away
When David rejoined her:
"Smthers knew Nigel when we were both
little boys" he explained. "He was here on
! the estate as lad in my fathers time
She did not answer; she was beginning to
realize with sort Of horror what her de-
ception really meant 1t was continually act
ed lie. She was proposing to live, day aft
er day, taking the respect and attentions due
to another-robbing the dead-robbing the
dead.
Saturday-"A Difficult Path" Renew your
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