Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 161: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A FIGHT WITH FORTUNE. 153 © with that family, accept what the gods throw before you now.’’ That settles Bob. We know there is a mystery connected with Gypsy that has given him considerable cause for worry, and with this chance for enlightenment before him, it would be strange indeed if he did not accept. He accompanies Joe to the corner designated, where several chairs invite occupancy—goes with an eager air, and not as a Jamb to the slaughter. ‘‘Now, see here, there’s no need of my beating around the bush. I?ll get right at the heart of the matter in the start. Your wife’s name before mar- riage was Estelle Gordon ?”’ “Tt was, positively. ”’ “‘Granddaughter of a man whom half of Virginia knew, and who went by the name of Hermit Gordon —given name Rudolph?” ‘Correct again.’’ ‘“Perhaps you saw an account of his death in the papers a couple of weeks ago.”’ ‘Ten days rather—no, I didn’t see it, for at the time I was on my way to Denver on business con- nected with this same Rudolph Gordon. I knew he died, for a telegram reached me to that effect.” ‘Well, there was a mistake made,’’ coolly says this same Joe Hooker, just as if he were saying, ‘it’s a lovely night.’”’ Bob Pemberton, however, is not in the same con- dition of mind, and from his lips falls an expression indicative of intense surprise. ‘Took here, Joe—I chanced to run across the Gomicbookstco iim