The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-11-18
DAILY SHORT
STORY
MRS. BOB'S DILEMMA

| MRS. BOB'S DILEMMA
"Now, my DEAR" said Mr.. Bob, as
he drew on his slippers and settled
himself for the evening. Il am
ready to listen to your excuse for
not meeting me at Hector's."
Mrs. Bob choked back the tears
perilously near the surface.
II did, but you weren't there"
Just like woman, If you tell
her to meet 20 ueast of the Masonic
temple she will probably go to the
west side of the Board of Trade"
But why should she do that?"
That's just the point. She
! shouldn't" Bob kicked the foot
stool theoretically.
well, didn't, dear. l never
went near the Board"
Exactly, never said you did.
What l did say was that you did
not meet me at Hector's, where you
| asked me to meet you"
Now, if you are going to
| scold@" The tears could no
longer be suppressed.
There, my dear, please don't do
sprinkler turn" and Bob assumed
sympathetic air. Tell me all
about it."
well, I went to the northeast
table"
Great guns! ! said the
"And you weren't there as you
said you would be, so l busted my
self with the menu, until the wait
ers looked at me as If they thought
| was trying to make out for
eign language. / told one of them
| was waiting for my husband and
he grinned. Then l made up my
mind that it would be nice to order
fine luncheon and have it all
ready when you came. You see, l
had held the table almost an hour
and the waiter stood first on one
foot and then on the other He
really looked like Christian
martyr"
Never mind that. I am glad
you ordered such good layout
after such a long wait. Now, if
that is all'-and Bob picked up
his evening paper.
|
81 ordered chicken salad, blue
points, chocolate ice and oh, lots
| of things. The waiter looked so
| grateful to hear me speak that |
ordered more than really
wanted"
We'll, if had not been running
to the door every five minutes to
see if you were mixed in your di-
rections, I'd have enjoyed my
lunch, too" sighed Bob.
you wouldn't have enjoyed it
either, if you had figured it UP"
Hang the expense" said Bob,
recklessly.
land hadn't but 25 cents in
your purse, continued She"
Gee whiz! But | gave you
tenner this morning."
"Oh, l bought the loveliest
Never mind that. How did you
fix things?''
II lost my appetite for one
thing. When they brought me that
lovely luncheon | just felt as if I
| couldn't swallow a mOrsel-but of
course | had to pretend. | sat there
until | was ashamed, and the waiter
| brought me the bill, s2S5. | gave
him the 25 cents in my purse and
then | felt so much like crying |
had to keep swallowing the lump in
my throat. | hated to offer my
wedding ring because | haven't
taken it off since"
"9es?" asked Bob, impatiently.
Il thought it would be a good
scheme to have him charge it to
you, then l remembered you said
you didn't often go there. | saw
some other people leaving and I
thought I would try to sneak out
with them, but the waiter followed
me, saying had forgotten my
check"
Bob was past smiling. Brass
buttons and patrol wagons crossed
his vision.
Bob was past smiling. Brass
buttons and patrol wagons crossed
his vision.
so | walked to the desk as slow
ly as | could, wondering what I
| could say. The cashier took the
check with a quick, business-like
air, and as | hesitated, she looked
up at me so curiously that the
shivers ran clear to my boots"
Yes, dear?"
81 haven't any money" l began,
| and her frosty expression frighten-
ed me so | nearly wept-cashiers
aren't very sympathetic. are they?"
There is a resemblance to other
creditors"
Her look frightened me so that
my wits came back and I remem-
bered | had some money-except
what I've got where | can't get at
it,, added. 4 put it there because
| intended to buy my husband a
present and | didn't want to spend
it. Your bill is S2.85, madam
It's In my-my stock" | said. I
said. She told me to come right
back of the desk. She was so smil-
ing | began to like her. But, oh,
Bob! What If she had been a
mani"