The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-04-21

W.
BRETHERTON WALKED OVER
TO THE TABLE.
given to Nigel long ago-so long ago
that she had forgotten it until this
moment, when she saw ii so unex-
pectedly.
David shut the case with a little
snap.
1T is yours" he said.
"Yes-I had forgotten. l gave it
to him long ago"
There We're tears in her voice. and
tears in her heart as she thought Of
that long ago-before he was mar
ried-when she had hoped-when she
had believed, that perhaps some
day-She checked her thoughts with
a bitter sigh How long had he car
ried that photograph with him? She
was afraid to try and answer the
question. She wondered duly if
Dolly had seen it, and if so. what she
had thought.
David was watching her.
you have known my brother some
time?" he asked
Nearly six years"
He turned away He went back
to the little table and laid down the
locl1et gently. as If it were some
thing he were afraid of hurting.
Across the room Mary watched
him.
He was not in the least like his
brother. she told herself achingly; and
yet-she was fiercely glad that he
was not. She could not have borne
it had he looked at her with Nigel's
lips.
This man was taller. thinner. more
delicate looking; his hair was brown,
too. Nigers had been fair. with a
boyish kink in it; this mans was
straight
He looked much older than Nigel,
more manly, perhaps, more reliable;
she realized this vaguesly, even while
she resented it.
''You will not stay on here, of
course" he said after a moment
Mary started
Here! In this fiat do you mean?'
Yes. You are young-you can not
live alone"
Il lived alone till I came here" she
hal& smiled. Il am not very young "
she told him, with a touch of within.
sicality.
His grave eyes searched her face.
You can not live alone-you would
Nope yourself to death"
She felt the tears rising. She turned
her face away
He came back to the table "You
said that there was a letter for me
from Nigel"
ct is with the papers there"
May I take it?" he asked.
please"
She heard the rustling of the
scrappy sheets of paper in his hands.
It seemed a long time before he spoke
again.
You have not read this?"
"I?" She raised her eyes to him.
ooh. no."
He made no comment. He put the
letter into the breast pocket Of his
coast. There was a grim line about
his mouth.
She watched him disinterestedly.
For the first time she noticed how
wet his coat was about the shoulders.
She rose hurriedly.
You ere wet through; please take
off your coat. ought to have asked
you before. And can't I offer Won
anything-some coffee, some wine?"
He shook his head. Il had dinner
before I came. and I must be getting
on. want to go down home tonight"
Her face lit up sensitively.
''To the Red Granger"
Yes, have you been tfere?''
"Once"
1T is fine old place. It has been
let since I went abroad. you know,
but the lease was up last month. I
shall live there myself now"
Yes" He was buttoning his coat
IF there is anything I can do for
you" he began hesitatingly II hope
YOU will remember that I am Nigers
brother. If you are needing money
She looked surprised.
Thank you; have all 1 want. But
there is this fiat and the furniture; I
don't know what to do with it."
He glanced round.
The best ching would be to sell
everything. You had better get right
away; there is nothing so painful as
memory
He took her hand. You must not
stay here alone" he said decidedly. Il
will think what can be done. and
write 10 YOU
CHAPTER VIII