_ CHAPTER XXII
When the telephone message had come, telling him that his wife wished to see him, Stafford had been instantly raised from the depths of gloomy despondency, to dizzy heights of hope and joy. A mere sound wave vibrating along a copper wire had made him the happiest and most amazed man in New York.
He had come home particularly out of sorts that evening and instead of dining at his club as usual, had told Oku to prepare a meal. Since Virginia's departure he had seldom had the courage to dine at home. The large dining room with the big table set for himself alone only served to remind him the more keenly of his loss. Especially empty and cheerless they looked that day and his mind was obsessed by thoughts of the absent one when suddenly the loud ringing of the telephone bell had aroused his reveries. He picked up the receiver thinking it was Hadley calling him or possibly someone in his office, when to his amazement he heard the voice of Jimmie Gillie.
A thrill ran through him as he listened. At last she had sent for him. His life was not to be irretrievably blasted, after all. Virginia was ready to forgive him and to come home again. He could scarcely believe his ears and in his joy he was ready to embrace the polished surface of the telephone. A reconciliation was possible without the sacrifice of his self-respect. He did not stop to analyze her motives or to question the authenticity of the summons. It was enough that her sister's husband said she wanted to see him. Then, suddenly, an idea occurred to him, which sent the blood from his face. He felt hot and cold in turns. Suppose she were ill, dying and they had sent for him because she was on her death-bed. He would not delay a moment.
Touching a few electric bells, he set Oku and other servants running with hurry orders that galvanized new life into the sleepy household, and half an hour later he was in his motor car, speeding in the direction of Harlem.
At the first sound of the bell, instinct had told Fanny who it was. She had delayed answering in order not to unduly alarm Virginia, and for a few moments she was at a loss what to do. Jimmie had hastily but discreetly disappeared, preferring to let his wife now play her role in the little comedy intended to bring Robert and Virginia together, but it was by no means an easy part to play and it was only when she knew that the millionaire was standing outside waiting for admittance that she quite realized how difficult was her task. There was no telling how the plan would work. A lie had been told, even if it was a lie in a good cause. If Stafford found out that he had been imposed upon, it might make matters worse, and as to Virginia she would certainly never forgive them.
It was not, therefore, without misgivings that Fanny opened the door and with a cordial smile on her anxious face bade Robert Stafford welcome.
He greeted his sister-in-law in his usual hearty manner, as if nothing had occurred to interrupt their intimacy and friendship. But it was easy to see that his thoughts were on one person only. Directly he came in, his eyes wandered round the apartment in search of her and he seemed to be listening intently as if for the sound of her voice. Standing still and questioning Fanny with an anxious look he asked in a low tone:
"Where is she?"
"Gone to her room, probably."
"You're sure she's not ill?" he demanded anxiously.
"Quite sure," smiled Fanny.
"That's the truth, is it?"
"Of course it is. She--she's a little tired, that's all."
He gave a deep sigh of relief and taking off his greatcoat, threw it together with his chauffeur's cap on the sofa.
"Thank God it's only that!" he exclaimed. "Jimmie said there was nothing the matter with her, but all the time I was coming up here I was thinking that perhaps suddenly she--" Pausing abruptly he said: "Tell her, please."
Without a word or attempting to enter into any explanations which, under cross-examination, might become embarrassing, Fanny went to Virginia's room and knocked at the door.
"It's someone to see you, Virgie!" she called out.
"To see me?" echoed Virginia in a surprised tone.
"Yes."
"Very well, I'll be there in just a minute."
Approaching her big brother-in-law Fanny gently laid her hand on his arm. There was nothing to be said. Each understood the other.
"Be very kind to her," she said pleadingly.
"Don't worry," he smiled.
"She's had a hard time."
"So have I," he replied with some emotion.
Fanny turned away and without another word left the room. For a few moments that seemed like years, Stafford remained alone, his eyes fixed on the door through which would presently pass the one woman in the whole world. It seemed like an age before she appeared. Would she never come? Then, all at once, the door opened and Virginia appeared on the threshold. On seeing who the visitor was, she stood like one spellbound. The blood went from her cheeks, leaving her deathly pale. She made a step forward, but stumbled and nearly fell. He darted forward and caught her in his strong arms.
"Darling!" he whispered.
Her head rested on his shoulder as it had done that first time the day at his apartment on Riverside Drive when he asked her to be his wife. Her pale, weary face was turned upwards, her tired eyes looking wonderingly into his. Her lips were within his reach, but he resisted the temptation. It was enough to feel that once more she was safe within his arms. Slowly she murmured:
"Robert! You did come! You did!"
"Of course I did," he said soothingly, as he stroked her hair caressingly.
"I'm so happy, dear," she murmured.
"You're not a bit happier than I am," he said, trying to keep back the tears that were fast filling his own eyes.
"And you came for me!"
"Of course, dear. Did you think I wouldn't?"
"Yes, because I thought I knew you and understood you. But I didn't. I knew you were fine and big, but you are finer and bigger than ever I imagined and I adore you for it! Oh, my darling, you came for me!"
He listened, bewildered, not understanding. Gently he said:
"But, dear--I--don't--"
She motioned him to a seat.
"Sit down, sweetheart, and let me sit on your knee, just as I used to."
"Yes, darling--just as we used to."
He took off his coat, threw it on the sofa and sat on a chair in front of the table. Virginia, with a cry of delight, jumped on his knee and threw her arm around his neck.
"Let me snuggle up to you in the way I love," she cried. "Hold me close--very, very close--and don't say a word--not even one."
Too happy to ask questions, he held her tight in his arms. In a low voice she murmured:
"I'm so tired, dear. I'm so tired--"
Fondly, tenderly, he caressed her.
"My poor little girl! Come, dear, the machine is outside. We'll go home at once."
"Not yet--please--I'm too happy. And it's you. It's really, really you."
"It really is," he smiled.
"Yes," she went on, "I've hoped and longed and prayed that you would come for me, but I didn't think you would. I imagined that your pride wouldn't let you."
"My pride?" he echoed, perplexed.
"Yes. You said you wouldn't come unless I sent for you."
Stafford started and stared fixedly at her.
"Virginia!" he exclaimed.
He was about to demand explanations when she interrupted him.
"I'm not reproaching you, dear. I mention it because it makes your coming all the bigger and finer!" Rising she added; "I'm the happiest girl in all the world. You came for me. Nothing else matters--"
Stafford listened to her in amazement. It was very clear. She had not sent for him after all. There had been some misunderstanding. Yet what of it? He had found her, he had clasped her once more to his breast. That was all he cared about. Not for anything in the world would he lose her again. He said nothing, gazing fondly into her dear tired face as she went on:
"If you hadn't come, I should probably have had to come to you! And that would have robbed me of everything I've been fighting for. But now I shall know that I didn't have to do what I knew to be wrong, and it makes me so happy, dear! So happy! So very, very happy!"
Sobbing she fell on her knees beside him and covered her face with her hands. For a moment or so he made no answer, but continued to caress her in silence. Then, slowly, he said:
"Of course I came for you! If I had known all that it meant to you I should have come long ago--"
She looked up at him eagerly.
"Then you did miss me?"
He nodded.
"I can't tell you how lonely I was. You had Fanny and Jimmie and the baby, but I had no one. As I sat alone in the house--the bigness of which seemed to make it all the lonelier--I thought of you, and your goodness, and sweetness and there I fought things out--I fought them out, and now I can make you any promise that you ask."
"But I don't ask any," she smiled.
"I give it to you just the same. I shall never, forgive myself either for letting you go. But I'll make it all up to you now. Ask for anything you please and you shall have it--to-morrow we'll go to Tiffany's and--"
Quickly she put her hand over his mouth.
"Don't dear, don't!" she cried. "I don't want you to buy things for me--I just want you to love me, dear! To love me! Love me! Love me!"
He smiled as he clasped her closer."
"No matter how hard I tried I couldn't help loving you."
"That's all I want," she murmured.
Her face was turned upwards and he bent down and kissed her. They were still in each others' embrace when the door opened slowly and Jimmie cautiously put his head in. He grinned when he saw the good results that had come of his work.
"May I come in?" he asked comically.
"Yes and go out again--that way," laughed Stafford good-humoredly. Pointing to the front door he added: "Tell Oku to bring the things out of the machine."
"You're on," grinned the clerk.
"And keep your mouth shut," said Stafford in a low tone.
"Tight as a clam!" grinned Jimmie.
As the millionaire turned to Virginia the young man again interrupted them.
"There's just one thing more," he said.
"What?"
"When do I go back to work?"
"Tomorrow," laughed Stafford.
"What salary?"
"What salary were you getting?"
"Well--one hundred and fifty a week."
"You were," laughed his employer, "for about fifteen minutes! Well--one hundred and fifty goes."
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 Japanese 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 Fanny 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 Fanny 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 Fanny, ignoring her husband's dumb signals to keep silent.
"Shut up!" he whispered fiercely.
"Didn't she know?" demanded Fanny.
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.
"Robert!" she exclaimed.
"There's nothing to be alarmed about," he went on soothingly. "Everything is all right."
"Tell me," she insisted firmly.
"Well, dear, now please, please don't be worried about it--when I came I thought you had sent for me."
She looked at him as if bewildered. Unable to comprehend she cried wildly:
"You thought I--Then everything is wrong! Everything!"
"No, dear," he replied firmly, "everything is right. You were fighting for a principle. Have you surrendered it?"
"No," she stammered, bewildered.
"You asked for a promise. I gave it and now I repeat it, so that is settled, isn't it?"
"Yes," she faltered.
"You said you wouldn't send for me and you haven't. Have you?"
"No."
"Then don't you see, dear, all along the line you won the victory?"
Jimmie, no longer able to contain himself, gave vent to a loud chuckle. Delighted at this successful outcome of his scheming, he cried gleefully:
"It's more than a victory! It's a landslide!"
Virginia remained silent. She was trying to understand. It was all a mystery. Yet why let it trouble her further? All she knew was that her husband had come for her and that her days of suffering were at an end. What mattered whose the victory so long as her tears were dried and they were reunited? Looking gratefully up at her husband she said gravely:
"You thought the victory was yours, but when you found me claiming it and realized what it meant to me, you hand it to me without a word. That was a big thing to do!"
"What does anything matter?" he said eagerly. "I love you, you love me and we are together again. That's everything, isn't it?"
"Yes, dear, that's everything," she answered, looking up at him fondly and proudly. "We can go."
"Let's hurry then," he said quickly, as if still afraid that his new-found bride might change her mind.
"Quick, Jimmie--get Virginia's rubbers!" cried Fanny.
"Sure," he said, disappearing on the run.
Stafford handed the automobile veil to his sister-in-law.
"You can fix this better than I," he smiled.
While Fanny was adjusting the veil, Jimmie re-entered with the rubbers and put them on.
Stafford picked up the fur coat.
"Now for the coat," he said. Putting his hand in his waistcoat pocket, he added with a significant smile:
"By the way, I've something else for you. It's from Tiffany's."
Virginia made a gesture of protest.
"Oh, Robert, didn't I tell you that--"
"Wait! Wait!" he laughed. "You don't know what it is!"
Taking from his pocket the wedding ring which three months before she had returned to him, he held it up and solemnly replaced it on her finger.
"With eternal love," he said gravely.
Taking her gently in his arms, he kissed her.
[THE END]
Arthur Hornblow's Novel: Bought and Paid For
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