The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-07-11
returned simply. Is Rathbons lsft

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him. . s-3 #.s 5 s al Is IS 81. 4
Alone. ho sat. unable to 1lx his 1t.
tention on business. ashamed even Ia
glance through the window.
Along in the afternoon his sister
Dora's husband, man several years
Bobson's senior, walked thoughtfully
into the inner Office. Though on the
best Of terms, Bobson had profound
respect for Stewart. ~. %.:.s@.ysS. ,:e.s2 :,
This is bad, Robert" said Stewart,
but it seems that for decency's sake
you might have taken some other
way" III ,.4 .
Bobson. the chills playing sportively
down his spine, felt what was coming.
But you can't expectsme to waive my
rights continued Stewart.
Bobson raised his head to speak but
at his vi itor's hand. lifted to enjoin
silence. he waited.
1T is not right of you," resumed
Stewart. you always Dragged, you
know, even to Dora. that Tessie was
the best dressed woman in town. I
don't deny that she Is; but I meant
to get Dora one or two things to make
her work nghter-a new sewing ma.
chine and q gas range, when you paid
me, and it Is hardly fair that she
should 60 without these things in or
der to satisfy Tessie's love for dress.
1t was $500, you know"
Four hundred dollars! Indeed, he
did not know. Bobson sprang from
his chair and paced the small Office,
while Stewart grimly waited. He
would not betray Tessie even to the
family, but why. why
Man alive" he exclaimed, "Tll
make it right. Even If it ruins me-"
he muttered. But see here, Stewart"
he continued, Il only put that ad in
for a joke"
well, hope you will, enjoy it," re-
turned Stewart unfeelingly.
Bobson was stunned. Business can
60 to thunder" said he between his
clenched teeth, as finging on his hat
and coat he went by the back way to
his home. Finding the house locked
he enterd by the way of the CELLAR
trick that he knew.
TESS, Tessie. grill" he called loud.
ly, softly. pleadingly, as he searched
each nook of the tiny house. Going
to the telephone he rang up his wife's
mother.
she's not here" was the curt re.
ply, and he heard the click of the re:
ceiver as it was hung up. Dismayed,
he stood motionless. Tess mother
was clearly vexed at him. She, who
had always taken his part-then he
was indeed forlorn.
For hours he walked the floor or
flung himself grooming into chair to
wait and to plan how to pay debt of
81 900 when he had invested all that
his business would permit in their lit
tie paradise of home.
When the midnight train from Chi
cago pulled into the little station, Bob
son, who had hitherto been ashamed
to show himself, was madly pacing the
platform, questioning party of re-
turned theater-goers, the only passen.
gers to get of, whether kis wife had
been on the train.
Yes, she has left me, and l richly
deserve It," he muttered as he re-
turned home and staggered blindly
into the house. Haggard and worn he
reached his home and switched on
the light = ~:- y 49,.
You're out late. Bobbie," said a
voice, sleepily, and Bobson started and
almost cried out from sheer nervous
exhaustion.
Tess, girl!' he cried, dropping on
his knees and clasping the sleepy bun.
die of lacey Wilderness and vainly
| seeking her face. which seemed hid.
den by the abundant auburn hair, can
you ever forgive me? l didn't know
that you owed anything. On my soul,
l didn't. 1t was one Of my cursedly
idiotic jokes. 1t is my last. you may
be sure"
Yes, dear, never mind''-the slim
hand passing lovingly through his hair
-"and, Bobbie, boy, she tried to
raised the bowed head, Il don't owe
| a cent?"
"Tess!" The burden of years
seemed lifted from his soul. "Oh, but
| + shall make Rathbone and Stewart
| smart for this!"
why, Bobbie Bobson!" she ex
claimed, naively aggrieved; that was
a practical joke!"
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