Radio Digest (Nov 1929-Apr 1930)

108 Gertrude (Continued from page 41) AS I wended my way homeward towards Gert and little Harry, I felt I was the bearer of cheerful news; I mean news that would cheer Gert up if she believed it. She probably wouldn't. Even so, things had turned out much better than I'd expected. Victor's attitude was everything an erring husband's should be; I was distinctly pleased that Mabel, famous for her mining activities, had dug so little gold out of me. Now, if I could restore the home life of the Victor Wigginses, all would be jake. Gert, looking like a million dollars in what appeared to be a brand new teagown, greeted me with a nice sisterly kiss. "I had the hebee-jebees after you left," she explained, "so I went and did some shopping. How did you make out?" "Much better than you'd think," I replied. "Tell me." So I told her nearly everything — from my first glimpse of Victor to my parting words with Mabel. "Do you mean to tell me," she demanded, "that you believe all that?" "Every word of it." "Well, all I can say is, you got a trusting nature, Harry. Of course I can see now Victor wasn't so much to blame. That Mabel person wanted his song, and tried to vamp him out of it. But he had no business renting that flat. How do I know he hasn't been entertaining a lot of other girls?" "If you want to know how Victor strikes me, and I've seen a good deal of him lately, I'd say he was a one-woman man. All he thinks about is his music, and you — and little Harry." "You're a queer one," said Gert. "I thought you didn't like Victor." "I didn't, at first, but he kind of grows on you. He's a good little scout, Gert, and you'll be making a great mistake if you throw him over." "If we could build a wing on the house," said Gert. "What house?" "The one I was looking at last week." "Oh!" I said. "Then Victor would have a nice big music room to compose in. And then if he gave up his job, and had his friends come there " "Not a bad idea," I said. "Only if I stake you to that house, don't you think you could ring up Victor and ask him to come out and talk things over?" "I suppose I could." "Well, will you?" "Will I what?" "Ring up Victor." "No, I won't," said Gert. "Why won't you?" "Because I don't want to. Besides, I've already done it — he's on his way out here now." CHAPTER IX. GERT'S announcement, that Victor was on his way home, fairly knocked me for a goal. "How come?" I asked. "It's a surprise to me, too, Harry. I never expected to even speak to him again. But his laundry came, and I knew he'd want it. Besides, he threw a regular fit ever the phone, when he found out it was me — said he could explain everything if I'd only give him a chance." "Of course I didn't hold out much hope — at first. But when you're a wife and mother, Harry, it isn't enough just to LOOK, you got to STOP and LISTEN. Anyway, he's coming. And if he goes down on his bended knees and begs my pardon the way he ought to, maybe I'll take him back." ".Well, I hope you won't be too hard on him," I said. "As far as I can see, the only crime the poor fellow committed was being caught. And that "Just watch me!" said Gert. "That's the very first thing I'll do." In moments of emotion, however, one seldom does as one has planned. Gert greeted Victor as if, instead of having left home at eleven that morning, he'd been gone a year. "Victor!" she cried, greeting him as if he had been gone a year. "Gert!" and they fell into each others arms with unintelligible murmurs. might happen to any husband." "If you want to know what his crime was, it was renting that flat and never telling me. Why didn't he tell me? That's what I want to know." "Why not ask him?" "Victor!" she cried. "Gert!" They fell into each other's arms. Stealing softly from the room, though I don't believe they'd have heard me if I'd been a horse and wagon, I made a