Part 6 (1/2)

Mrs. Burke Denby drew in her breath convulsively, and lifted a hurried hand to brush the tears from her eyes. The next moment she smiled, tremulously, but adorably. She looked very lovely as she stepped from the car a little later; and Burke Denby's heart swelled with love and pride as he watched her. If underneath the love and pride there was a vague something not so pleasant, the man told himself it was only a natural regret at having said anything to cast the slightest shadow on the home-coming of this dear girl whom he had asked to share his life.

Whatever this vague something was, anyway, Burke resolutely put it behind him, and devoted himself all the more ardently to the comfort of his young wife.

In spite of himself, Burke could not help looking for his father's face at the station. Never before had he come home (when not with his father), and not been welcomed by that father's eager smile and outstretched hand. He missed them both now. Otherwise he was relieved to see few people he knew, as he stepped to the platform, though he fully realized, from the sly winks and covert glances, that every one knew who he was, and who also was the lady at his side.

With only an occasional perfunctory greeting, and no introductions, therefore, the somewhat embarra.s.sed and irritated bridegroom hurried his bride into a public carriage, and gave the order to drive to the Hanc.o.c.k Hotel.

All the way there he talked very fast and very tenderly of the new home that was soon to be theirs.

”'Twill be only for a little--the hotel, dear,” he plunged in at once.

”And you won't mind it, for a little, while we're planning, will you, darling? I'm going to rent one of the Reddington apartments. You remember them--on Reddington Avenue; white stone with dandy little balconies between the big bay windows. They were just being finished when you were here. They're brand-new, you see. And we'll be so happy, there, dearie,--just us two!”

”Us two! But, Burke, there'll be three. There'll have to be the hired girl, too, you know,” fluttered the new wife, in quick panic. ”Surely you aren't going to make me do without a hired girl!”

”Oh, no--no, indeed,” a.s.serted the man, all the more hurriedly, because he never had thought of a ”hired girl,” and because he was rather fearfully wondering how much his father paid for the maids, anyway.

There would have to be one, of course; but he wondered if his allowance would cover it, with all the rest. Still, he _could_ smoke a cigar or two less a day, he supposed, if it came to a pinch, and--but Helen was speaking.

”Dear, dear, but you did give me a turn, Burke! You see, there'll just have to be a hired girl--that is, if you want anything to eat, sir,” she laughed, showing all her dimples. (And Burke loved her dimples!) ”I can't cook a little bit. I never did at home, you know, and I should hate it, I'm sure. It's so messy--sticky dough and dishes, and all that!” Again she laughed and showed all her dimples, looking so altogether bewitching that Burke almost--but not quite--stole a kiss. He decided, too, on the spot, that he would rather never smoke another cigar than to subject this adorable little thing at his side to any task that had to do with the hated ”messy dough and sticky dishes.” Indeed he would!

Something of this must have shown in his face, for the little bride beamed anew, and the remainder of the drive was a blissfully happy duet of fascinating plans regarding this new little nest of a home.

All this was at four o'clock. At eight o'clock Burke Denby came into their room at the hotel with a white face and tense lips.

”Well, Helen, we're in for it,” he flung out, dropping himself into the nearest chair.

”What do you mean?”

”Father has cut off my allowance.”

”But you--you've gone to work. There's your wages!”

”Oh, yes, there are my--wages.”

Something in his tone sent a swift suspicion to her eyes.

”Do you mean--they aren't so big as your allowance?”

”I certainly do.”

”How perfectly horrid! Just as if it wasn't mean enough for him not to let us live there, without--”

”Helen!” Burke Denby pulled himself up in his chair. ”See here, dear, I shan't let even you say things like that about dad. Now, for heaven's sake, don't let us quarrel about it,” he pleaded impatiently, as he saw the dreaded quivering coming to the pouting lips opposite.

”But I--I--”

”Helen, dearest, don't cry, please don't! Crying won't help; and I tell you it's serious business--this is.”

”But are you sure--do you know it's true?” faltered the young wife, too thoroughly frightened now to be angry. ”Did you see--your father?”

”No; I saw Brett.”