Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 13, 1920 — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

WHO’S had he given in. And Miriam, finding that she was coming out the loser in every en- counter—that her tears availed nothing— was not so anxious to manifest her whims as she had been in the old days. To be sure there had been quite a scene just two weeks before. Miriam had de- cided to go to the beach two weeks earlier this summer than usual. She had decreed also that Robert should accompany her. But Robert had decided otherwise. His business would not permit him to get out of town for several weeks, and he had said so conclusively. “You go along with Alice and Judith, and get things straightened up, and [ll come down through the week when I can, and for week-ends,”’ he told her. And Mi- riam had gone. Robert was theoretically patting himself on the back for the struggle he had put forth when his office door opened and Mi- rlam came in. She was looking unusually well, and none of her splendor was lost on her ador- ing husband. It was like having the cool- ing breezes ofsthe ocean wafted into his business environment. “Just thinking about you, Miriam,” he greeted her. ‘‘ Gee, youre looking great. In town for the day?” She seated herself in a big chair with the air of a person who has come for a conference, before replying. ‘No, I just drove in to get a few things for to-day—for the luncheon, you know.” ‘““ By jove, you did tell me you were hav- ing a luncheon to-day. What time?” Quite casually she removed her gloves, and began fingering the rings on her finger. Quite. as, casually she replied: . “Two thirty. I made it late so you could be there. If you leave town at noon—”’ ‘But I can’t do it, Miriam. It’s impos- sible,” his tone suggesting a person trying to ward off the inevitable. ‘“‘ I know it’s a shame for a man to have to work on Sat- ~urday afternoon, but I’ve got an important conference.” : “You—you don’t mean you won’t be there?’”’ she exclaimed. ~ BOSS? 373 “Tm sorry, Miriam. Of course I’d put it off if I could, but I can’t. The man I’m to see is here from out of town, and he’s leaving to-morrow.” ‘“ But you’ve no right to place me in such an embarrassing position,’ she fenced. “Of course I thought you’d be there or I’d never have arranged the luncheon. Can’t you let somebody else handle this for you? It’s always your business first, and then me.” ‘Tf it’s business first, and then you— it’s business first, because of you,” he tried to console her. ‘‘ Don’t you know that my wish to be successful is founded on my love for your” ‘“P’m not so sure about your loving me, Robert,” she replied. She had risen and was putting on her gloves. “If you loved me you’d be willing to sacrifice some of your interests for mine. If you loved me, you wouldn’t want to embarrass me before my -friends.”’ | “T don’t want to embarrass you, Mi- riam, and you know it.” He went and stood beside her and took her one ungloved hand in his. ‘‘ I don’t want to do anything that will hurt you, dear.” “Then come,” she urged. “T can’t do it, Miriam—not with this conference on. If I don’t see this man, [Pll lose’ a big contract—a very important contract.” “And that means come?” she challenged. ‘It means that I can’t come,” he cor- rected her. ‘‘I-can’t possibly leave town before two or three. It ll take me at least two hours to drive out. The conference. is for one o’clock.” : “And you won’t do this—for me?” Again the challenge. “I’m sorry, dear,” he met it. “ But please try to believe that everything I do, Il do—for you.” She accepted his proffered kiss without a word. He opened the door, and she was gone. Robert Edwards watched her get into the elevator. Then he went back to his desk. There was little of the air of the con- queror about him as he dropped into ‘iis that you won’t Gomichbooks (E(@)