Pictures and the Picturegoer (October 1915 - March 1916)

K KM > I NO •9'5 73 PICTURES AND THE PICTUREGOER expulsion Again he glanced through the written words, ns though doubting toe evidence df his eyes, while the veins tine knotted and fearful passion that ' him. excelled ! " ho thuniou ha ' 'light name for the second in 1 1 i — temples swollen with t!i< was Bwee] u tl. i til furious 1 j . shame upon my ■1, time . . . you yonnj Bj heaven 11! " < i ge, listen •' Silence, woman. . vi mi infernal enh f< >lh >v* me .' With a sinking heart Frank oh then, once in the Btndy, his infuriated father locked the il. ■• >i and stood with his back against it. 5 ing Bcoundrel," he shouted. Ion would brawl like :i common street urchin, would yonP Your temper is unmanageable, is it P " he shook the Bead's letter at his son's White fa •<• "unmanageable, eh? By Heai en, I'll manage j ou ! " With a volley of oaths be flung the bojj down, and, snatching up a heavy ridingwhip, thrashed him until even hi* own strength and | ive waj •• Nuu get out of mj Bight, you blackguard. . . . Do you hear me r go s I kill yon 1" Stumbling, Prank ran from the to where his mother and b wee t heart waited for him in each other's arm-. "Oh!mj boy.myboy!" With a bitter orj Mi-. Bradbury tried (o take him in her arms, hut he shook her off. "'Gel out of my sight,' he cried, "and I will obey him. . . . Yes. 1 am old enough to earn my own living, ami to day 1 leave his house for ever." Chatter II. His sweetheart's entreaties. his mother's tear. availed nothing, and, taking what would barely suffice to keep him tor a few weeks, he set off to seek bis f< rtune in the city. His luck and remarkable' talent for. drawing stood by hhn, and before long he was able to write to the two fond hearts at home that he had succeeded in obtaining a lucrative post on the pictorial staff of a large publishing firm. From tlienee his rise was rapid, until his growing fame readied l:is distant home, and one tine Spring day Mrs. Bradbury and Rose journeyed citywards to visit him. They found him hard at work in his studio. "Why. Mother mine,'" he cried, holding her at arm's length," you haven't changed a bit since 1 left home." Mrs. Bradbury smiled softly. "And Rose— has she changed much?" "Rose, little Rose"— a vivid blush coloured Ins sweetheart's face at the tons of his voice; "changed — yes . . . Rose is a woman now ! " Il se slowly raised her eyes, and. glancing from one to the other, the mother understood, and was glad. . . . " Well, you children," shecried, gaily, a Franks bachelor arrangements don't seem to <rive much promise of a meal. I'll go out and buy one., "Shall I come with you, dear ?" Rose asked, hesitatingly. Mrs. Bradbury laughed. "No; you stay here and see that Frank does not run away from us. I shan't be long." When she returned the lovers were "Do 101 III w: mi.: Go !— BEFOUE I KILL You ! ' standing close together by the window, but swung round in confusion as she entered. "Mother," Frank exclaimed. "I was wrong Rose has not changed. . . . She is still the same, and she has promised to be my w ife ! " * # # * A few weeks later they were quietly married. Then, alter the ceremony and just before she left the young couple to their honeymoon, Mrs. Bradbury called Frank c n one side. "Dear boy," she said, "now that the future seems so bright, can't you forgive won't you come home? . . . Ah. don't speakyet, Frank; listen tome. . . . Your father is ageing rapidly, and, although he says nothing. I know he is bitterly sorry and would love to have you home ! " Frank smiled, " You think that, little Mother, because it is your nature to think the best of everybody." "No dear— he really wants you. . . . I'm certain if it had not been for his pride he would have asked you to come li mg agi >." Still Frank was obdurate. . . . Clear as an event of yesterday was the memory of his father's brutality. "If I could only briug myself to think that it is his wish and not some fancy prompted by your tender heart, Mother. I'd " "Frank, dear," Rose interrupted eagerly. " let me go with Mother now. . . . Your father always was fond of me, I think— perhaps I shall be able to pave the way for your reconciliation. Mrs. Bradbury clappedher hands with delight. . . . For. sanguine though her words had been. Frank had pretty nearly bit upon the truth when he said his mother's kind heart was the parent of her thought ; but with Rose's offer she saw a way to the clearing Of the clouds, that had darkened her life since the quarrel between the two men she loved. . "If you wish it. dear." Flank said, rather gingerly, "I have ho objection; but I hate losing you for even a few hours." Rose clapped her hands. " Why should you?" shecried. " Come with us. dear, then you'll be able to walk in as BOOH as your rather has recovered from the Bho<\k and receive his blessing. ... It Will be just like a story-book ! ' At last Frank yielded to his loved one's pleading, and in their company travelled down to hi old home, The two women settled down b> wait for 'Mr. Bradbury's coming, while Frank retired until the opportune moment arrii ed for his entra Mr. Bradbury greeted Rose heartily. " Why, my dear, how well you look, and yOu too .1 ■ ■ . . . Nov* . I wonder what plot you've been hatching during your absence." George, dear," his wife said, rather nervously, "we have not been exactly plotting, but " Bradbury frowned. -"But what " " Frank and Rose " " Frank ! " " Yes. dear, you know how the\ sweethearts in their childhood, and now " Bradbury's blow cleared. " And now the boy has come to his s mses and n ishes to set! le down, is that it? Well, if Rose is willing they have" my blessing. Write to the boy at ohca and bid him come home yes, for his sweetheart's sake, the pasl shall be I m." " George— there is no need to write, Frank is here to-night." " Yes, Father." Frank's voice chimed in as he entered the r< k >m, I a m here and 1 i-k you to shake hands.'' For some seconds Bradbury looked at his son. then grasped his hand. " Good boy there were faults on both sides, doubtless, but we'll say no more about it. . . . Get married to her B ii !i. my boy. I should like to Frank laughed, as he drew Rose into bis arms. " No need for .that, Fathei we've taken time by the forelock." He raised Rose's hand, and pointed to the plain gold band upon her linger." "You are married," Mr. Bradbury gasped " married already." "Yes — Mother was the witness and — " His father's face e-rev. purple. "Pshaw," he snarled furiously, " you are married—