Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 129: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE DESPERATE YOUNG MAN. thinks I’m earning as a commercial, she’ll be just right. She'll stay in the suburb where we are. Move to a bigger house, of course, and buy furniture and things. And still be able to queen it among her old friends. She’ll like that.” “Sounds quite reasonable,” admitted Mr. Stebbings. ‘“ But—” “It won’t really be cheating her,” con- tended Mr. Chedworth earnestly. ‘‘ She’ll be able to have all the things she wants. When I told her about the—the commercial traveling job, she was as pleased as pleased. And—well, there’s me! Sometimes she— well, she’s a managing sort of woman, gen- tlemen. And, if I was a commercial trav- eler, I'd be away from it all. It would be a rest, a change for me. And of course, the money ‘ll be there all the time. It ’ll be there for the children when I—when the time comes. And, of course, if ever any- thing’s wanted, I can easily make up some sort of story to account for being able to spare the money.” “Well, of course, it’s entirely your own affair. You know best,” said Mr. Steb- bings. “T do, sir. I know just what it’s like at home. And I—I know Mrs. Chedworth. And I honestly believe it’s for the best all round. Can but try it for a bit, any- way.” “ And you’d be away from home on holi- day most of the time?” ‘lve earned one! All the years I been married— You don’t know!” broke out Mr. Chedworth with a quivering, protest- ing vehemence that gave the two partners some considerable insight into the condi- tions of his domestic environment. ‘“ Never had a holiday yet—not a real one! Just slog, slog, slog—here and at home! Some- times wished— No rest, no—” “ Come, come, Chedworth!” urged Mr. Stebbings, concerned. ‘“ Pull yourself to- gether, man. You mustn’t let yourself go, like that.” “ Nerves,” muttered Mr. Chedworth, in rueful extenuation. ‘“ They’re all wrong. Overstrained. Never had a chance to ease up. Nagging and—and one thing and an- other. Not but what she ain’t a good wife to me,” he asserted. ‘“ But—well—” 285 “Sit down,” invited the senior partner. “Tell us a bit more about the legacy and —and so forth. If he wishes, Mortimer, I don’t see why we shouldn’t help him with the commercial traveling story, do you?” ‘“* Be a charity,” grated the junior part- ner, assiduously turning to the next page in the ledger. Il, Hatr an hour later Mr. Chedworth emerged into the clean, quiet drabness of Flaming Sword Lane. He had quite re- turned to his usual air of gentle, respectful deference to the world in general, but in his eyes was a little light of expectancy, of half fearful, half eager anticipation. But- toning his worn coat, he allowed the tips of his fingers to rest momentarily on the bulge of the fat wallet in his breast pocket. He thrilled at the touch of it, and, smiling very cheerfully at an equally cheerful sky, he struck off toward the roaring, rattling thoroughfare which was at the end of the byway. All was going just as satisfactorily as he could wish. His employers had promised him that they would support to the full his statement about being one of their travelers, should Mrs. Chedworth or any other person show an embarrassing inquisi- tiveness in the matter at any time. And the partners had persuaded him to begin his holiday at once, and had sent him off with repeated expressions of good will and kind- ly interest. It was true that they had not directed that he should receive such of his salary as was due him, but that, he was confident, was quite an oversight. And now, on the advice of Mr. Steb- bings, he was going to stand himself a lunch to celebrate the occasion. It was not to be an ordinary, unimaginative city lunch, Mr. Stebbings had insisted, but an elaborate meal in courses, with a bottle of wine, and a cigar and coffee and a liqueur to end up with. Mr. Stebbings said that he would have invited him to just such a lunch himself, had he not unfortunately had an engage- ment already. He very helpfully, how- ever, supplied Mr. Chedwonth with the.