Nogales international., 1930-12-26
First InstaIlment


fool, had, in a moment of hysterical
disillusionment, taken his life. Giles
Chittenham put down his iced drink
and shifted his position little in
order to get better view of her.
She was very plainly dressed.
She was entirely without jewellery
of any kind, without even wedding
ring. Rodney had complained that
Julie Farrow was not interested IN
diamonds.
"She won't let me give her any
thing. She says she hates diamonds
She won't take anything from me.
I only wish to God she would"
This woman was certainly unique
there was nothing of the stereotyped
adventures about her, and possibly
therein lay her chief attraction.
Rodney at any rate had adored her,
adored her so .nadly that one night,
convinced at last that she would have
nothing to do with him, he had upset
a skiff near the weir at Maidenhead
and put an end to his life.
Rodney was a powerful swimmer,
but a coroner's jury had brought in
accidental death, and only Chittenham
knew the truth, only Chittenha1n ever
saw a letter which the boy had posted
to him in America an hour before
his death, declaring his intention.
"She's done with me. She's for
hidden me to go near her again"
Chittenham had destroyed the letter
as soon as he had read it. Of what
use to stir up muddy water when Rod
ney was gone?
Chittenham had been out Of Eng
land for nearly two years looking
after interests in South America, and
he had only returned on account Of
Rodney's death, and in order to wind
up his affairs. Rodney and he were
half-brothers.
Giles knew that he would be treated
to a week of Mysteries when he and
his mother met. He was sorry for
his mother, but he had always found
her wearisome. In his heart he was
amazed that she had ever managed
to find two husbands.
Rodney had been like his mother
The boys tragic death had been a
severe blow to Giles, and he had
subconsciousiy determined that If ever
be met Julie Farrow she should no<
be allowed to so unpunished.
He knew that she was a divorced
woman; he knew that there were
many unsavoury stories told OF her.
although Rodney had always been her
loyal champion.
''Tf you saw her you'd understand"
Rodney wrote. "She's so wonderful
All women are not as rotten as you
think they are. You've probably been
unlucky, but we don't all have the
same experience"
Giles had certainly been unlucley,
but Rodney had not known of his
brothers marriage at all, and neither
had anybody else in England.
His wife was an American girl
named Sadie Barrow, whom he had
married because she had amused him,
and because she had seemed to expect
him to marry her.
That was a year ago, and they
had lived more or less Of detached
life since. She did not want home
life, she wanted to be here, there,
and everywhere, and when Giles OBJ
jected she reminded him that she was
financially independent Of him and
meant to do as she chose. After SIX
months pickering, Giles gave In and
let her go her own way.
They met occasionally, and then a.
ways by Sadie's own request. She
was in New York when the news
came of Rodney's death, and Giles
had cabled to her that he was going
to England. Her reply had been
characteristic.
'Your funeral, not nine. Not COM
ing"
Chittenham did not care; as a mat
ter of fact her refusal to accompany
him was a relief. He wished to keep
his marriage a secret. It was on his
way across the Atlantic that a sudden
distaste for the reason of his journey
seized upon Giles.
So he left the ship at Cherbourg,
wandered up to Paris and ran into
Harry Lombard whom he had not seen
for five years.
Lombard had a business in Paris,
and although he had not met Rodney
for some time, he apparently knew all
the details of the tragedy and great
deal about Julie Farrow.,
Chittenham suggested that they go
along to London together. He rather
liked Lombard.
Lombard shook his head.
"Sorry, but Pm off to Switzerland
tomorrow on business for the firm"
A sudden bright idea came to him.
"You come along with me. I shall
only be gone a few days. There's
no hurry to get home, is there?"
"None. A few days one way or the
other can make no difference"
And that was how Fate bent Giles
Chittenham to her will. He went off
10 Switzerland with Lombard the same
night, and day or two later met
Julie Farrow on the steamboat be-
tween Lausanne and Montreux.
1t was Lombard who recognised
her and pointed her out
"Wel1, what do you think of her :"
he asked.