Wyndham's Pal Part 43

"But you were disturbed when Bob told you," Flora urged.

"At first, I was conscious of relief. I thought Rupert had seen the only way out of the tangle. Before he went, I'd begun to feel the situation was impossible for us all. Afterwards, I saw that my greedy ambition had helped to involve us and he had borne the punishment. Had he not thought he could get supplies from me, he would not have plotted the rebellion."

Flora hesitated for a moment, and then said, "When Bob came in the morning to ask if you had slept, I kept him a few minutes and we talked about this. He declared your engaging to supply the goods was not important, because if you had refused, Rupert could have got all he needed from Peters or somebody else, so long as he was willing to give a high price."

"It's possible. After all, Bob is cleverer than people sometimes think, and I see an explanation for Peters' vindictive pursuit: I'd stopped his trading with Rupert and refused him for a partner. Well, he paid, and Rupert paid, and I owe my escape to Bob."

"You made reparation," said Flora gently.

"I tried; when I was found out. It was rather late then, and Bob carried much of the load. But I did not get off free. I spent days of torment, thinking about what you must bear, before I resigned myself to coming home, broken in body, to be a burden to you."

Flora's eyes shone. "Oh, my dear! You have come home and that's all that matters. Besides, you'll get well in England; your strength will return."

"It may be long," said Wyndham quietly. "I cannot grumble for myself; I'm thinking about Bob. It looks as if he must carry my load and his, but he won't growl. He's strong and his pluck's unbreakable. Pluck and honesty like Bob's are worth more than talent."

He paused, and smiled when he resumed: "Well, while I try not to lose patience, waiting, and wondering whether I'll be fit to work again, he'll build a new Wyndhams' on a surer foundation than I could have laid. I can see him, stopping now and then with his puzzled look, but not stopping long. Bob's way is to go on, straight and steadfastly."

"We owe him much," said Flora. "Your debt is mine."

Then there were steps in the pa.s.sage and the others came in. Mabel blushed when she saw Flora's smile.

"After all, it looks as if music did bore Bob," Flora remarked. "We didn't hear you playing long."

"We talked," said Mabel, with a frank glance. "There was much to talk about and all was rather wonderful. Perhaps this looks extravagant, but I don't think it is."

"Hold fast to your persuasion," said Flora gently. "It will take you far. Love conquers many doubts and troubles."

"Mabel's troubles ought not to be numerous," Wyndham interposed. "She is going to marry my partner; the best man I know."

Marston's face got red, but Mabel laughed, a soft, happy laugh.

"I really think Bob stands alone," she said. "He's like n.o.body else and I'm sure there's n.o.body like him."

THE END