"Laurie, do you remember the day when we had saved our first ten
dollars?"
"Shall I ever forget it," returned her husband, devoutly; and turning to
Shirley: "The fact is, somehow or other I've made good--and done it in
five years, too! But you don't know what it means to me, to us.... When
Miriam went to the hospital that day, I started in--one dollar and a
half a day----"
"Yes?" said Shirley eagerly. "What kind of work?"
"Tell her about your invention, Laurie," suggested his young wife with
pride.
Not waiting for a second invitation, Challoner immediately launched
forth on his favourite topic, Shirley listening with great interest. But
toward the close, he said something about concrete and frauds which
instantly caused her to interrupt him.
"Frauds? What frauds?"
"Why, where have you been that you haven't seen the papers?" he
inquired. "The papers the world over, almost, have had something to say
about this political expose. I was at work on the hospital job at the
time, and it was I who made the discovery that everybody connected with
the job was stealing cement: bosses, superintendents, inspectors,
politicians, why, even I was invited into the ring. There was money in
it," he continued, "money for me--hundreds, thousands...." He paused,
and then wound up with: "But, what good would that do me when the
hospital fell down?"
"Think what would have happened," interposed Miriam, "if it had been
full of patients. It was good they found it out in time! It has to be
rebuilt."
"But I wouldn't stand for the steal," Challoner went on, in his
legitimate pride. "Maybe you know the rest?" He looked up questioningly;
and convinced that she did not, he proceeded: "I went to Murgatroyd; he
did the rest. I helped him, of course, by testifying, and all that sort
of thing; in other words, I had to make good my accusations. But perhaps
Murgatroyd didn't smite those chaps hip and thigh! You know what it
meant, don't you? It well-nigh smashed the ring! Anyhow, it has crippled
the organisation, and Murgatroyd did it!"
"Good for Murgatroyd!" ejaculated Shirley; and then added quickly with a
blush: "Good for _you_!"
"Laurie's in business for himself," Miriam presently informed her.
"No!" exclaimed Shirley. "Concrete?"
"Yes," answered Challoner enthusiastically. "I've got a bit of a
reputation for honesty, now. People that want an honest job done come to
me. Of course, for a time, the hospital scandal killed concrete to some
extent 'round here; but there's going to be a quick recover. The trouble
is not with concrete, but with men...." Challoner sighed longingly. "I
could swing that hospital job," he said wistfully, "if only I could get
the bonds and the cash with which to start me. But I suppose I have got
to stick to the small work for a while. However, I'm getting there,
Shirley, and I'm proud of it, too. You'll begin to think I'm suffering
from exaggerated Ego," he finished with a smile.
"Well," said Miriam in justification, "any man who saves five hundred
dollars in so short a time has a right to blow his own horn."
"I believe in giving praise where it is due," protested her husband. "It
was you, my dear, who saved it."
"I?" returned Miriam, who never seemed happier than when sacrificing
herself.
"Yes, by not buying hats like Shirley's, for instance," he answered,
although he glanced at the girl in admiration.
Miriam sighed with joy. It was good to be appreciated--good to have some
one to talk with who could appreciate their struggle.
"I won't deny," presently she said with a smile, "that it was rather
trying at times; but it was a work of love, and we've succeeded."
Shirley sprang to her feet.
"Lawrence Challoner, I'm going to kiss you--you're the kind of a man I'm
looking for!" And on the impulse of the moment she went over to him and
made good her word. "I'm proud of you," she went on. "You're the real
thing--you're a success!"
Challoner laughed as now he drew his wife closer to him.
"They are like a pair of doves," said Shirley to herself; and then
aloud, as she started for the door: "Miriam, I'm going to fix up a bit
for dinner. I hope we're going to have a dozen courses, for I'm
starved."
When the door had closed behind her, Miriam rose and started for the
kitchen.
"Miriam, girl," said Challoner, gently, "never mind about the dinner
now--that can wait."
"I haven't much to do, anyway," answered his wife.
"What have you been hiding from me for the past few weeks, Miriam?"
presently asked Challoner.