Bought and Paid For; From the Play of George Broadhurst Part 54

Jimmie nodded with satisfaction and went towards the door. Before he reached it he again turned round:

"And do we get the auto?"

"You do," laughed Stafford.

"Fine!" grinned Jimmie.

He disappeared and Stafford turned to Virginia.

"He's still the same old Jimmie!"

"And you're still the same generous Robert!"

He smiled indulgently at her as he said:

"I shall never miss what Jimmie gets."

"And it means so much to them," murmured Virginia.

"I'm glad it does. I'm glad I can make them happy for your--"

Before he could complete the sentence, Jimmie reappeared.

"Oku's coming," he grinned.

"You didn't get wet?" laughed Virginia.

"Not while I have my voice. I stood at the door and shouted to him.

Here he is now."

The door was pushed open and the j.a.panese butler entered carrying a fur coat which he gave to his master. The millionaire turned to him.

"Oku, Mrs. Stafford has finished her visit to her sister and is coming home."

"How are you, Oku?" smiled Virginia.

The butler made a low salaam.

"I am big obliged. Anything else, sir?"

"Tell the chauffeur we're coming right out."

"Anything else?"

"No."

"Then excuse, please! Excuse! Oh, I am big obliged."

The butler went out and Stafford hurriedly held up his wife's coat.

"Here it is," he smiled.

At that instant f.a.n.n.y opened the door and cautiously peeped in.

Jimmie, seeing her, called out:

"Come in. It's all right."

She entered, looking timidly at her brother-in-law. Apprehensively, she said to Virginia:

"Is it?"

Going up to her sister, Virginia threw her arms around her neck.

"Yes--and I'm so happy!"

"So am I," laughed f.a.n.n.y almost hysterically. "One of Jimmie's ideas has turned out right at last."

"One of his ideas?" echoed Virginia puzzled.

"Yes--about you and Robert," said f.a.n.n.y, ignoring her husband's dumb signals to keep silent.

"Shut up!" he whispered fiercely.

"Didn't she know?" demanded f.a.n.n.y.

The clerk made a gesture of disgust.

"Know what?" asked Virginia in surprise.

"Why--why--"

"What didn't I know?" insisted Virginia. "What is it about you and me--" She looked to her husband for an explanation, but he was silent.

Anxiously she said: "Robert, tell me! Tell me!"

Stafford went up to her. Tenderly he replied:

"I will. It probably would have come up some time and perhaps it's best that it has come up now. Listen, dear!"

"Yes?"

"Don't you think it would be best to start afresh without there being even a chance for a misunderstanding between us--start on a basis of absolute truth?"

"Certainly! Aren't we starting that way?"

Stafford shook his head as he replied gravely:

"No, dear."

Startled, she recoiled and looked at him in dismay.