Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-11-02
By REX BEACH.

1--WE been reading. I've been talk,
ing to doctor, too. You see, ! wanted
to help"
"Let's change doctors. Ten yearsl
It can't be DONE"
"I'm afraid you're right. There's no
such thing as reformation. If you're
a born alcoholic you'll probably die a
drunkard. I'm hoping that you didn't
inherit the taste"
"Well, whether 1t was left to me or
whether I bought 1t, can't 60 dry for
ten years."
"Then our bargain Is ended"
He looked up sharply. "Oh no, It
isn't"
eyes"
He extended shaking hand, and his
voice was duplicating as he said: Il
can't get along without you, kid. You're
a part of me-the vital part. I'd go to
pieces quick If you quit now"
when we made our agreement /
meant to live up to every bit Of /"
Lorelei told him, gently, "but we're go
ing to try again, for this was Jim's
fault"
"Jim? Jim was sorry for me. He
tried to cheer"
Loreleis smile was bitter. "Jim was
never sorry for anybody except HIM
self. My family hate you Just as your
family hate me-. and they'd like to sep
arate u.s."
SAY, that's pretty rottenW Bob ex-
claimed. "If he weren't your brother
I'd
Lorelei laughed mirthlessly. GO
ahead! / wish you would. 1t might
clear the atmosphere"
"Then 1 will" After moment he
continued, II suppose you feel you
must go on supporting them?" .
y"Of course"
"Just as you feel you must support
me. Is it entirely duty in my case?"
Seeing her hesitate, he insisted, Isn't
there any love at alp
I'm afraid not, Bob"
The man pondered silently. II sup
pose If l were the right Sort" he said,
at length, with some difficulty, I'D let
you go under these circumstances.
Well, I'm not the right sort; I'm not
big or noble. If Barleycorn brothers
lick me I'll go under. But IL go under
I'll take you with me. won't give
you up. l won't"
II sha'n't let you pull me down." she
told him, soberly.
| When Bob reached the financial dis
] trict next day and resumed his quest
/ for work he was ablaze with resent
ment at himself and at the world In
general.
He took up the search with a logged
determination that was quite unlike
him. One after another he canvassed
his friends for position, and finally,
as If i'll fortune could not Withstand
his fervor, he was successful. 1t was
not much of job that was offered him,
but he snapped at 1t, and returned
home that evening in the best Of humor.
Already the serious issues Of the
morning were but memory; he burst
In upon Lorelei like gale, shouting:
GIN chalk-boy at Crosset & Meyers,
SO you can give Bergman your notice
tonight
whats the salary?"
at isn't salary; it's humiliation
twenty-five week is the total insult"
"Why, Bob! That won't keep two
and the family"
"The familyw He quieted himself
with an effort. "Well, you give your
notice, anyhow. I'll spear the coin for
both establishments somehow. Come!
l insist. I want to be able to shave
myself without blushing."
Lorelei's objections were not easily
overcome, but at last, in view of the
fact that the summer run of the Revue
was drawing to close and the show
would soon take to the road, she al
lowed herself to be persuaded.
Throughout the next week Bob
Wharton really tried to make good. He
was enthusiastic; the excitement of
actual accomplishment was SO novel
that he had not time to think of liquor.
| When Saturday came and he found
himself in possession of honestly
earned funds he felt soul-satisfying
ease. He decided to invest his first
savings in present for Lorelei, then
graver sense Of responsibility seized
him, and he sent them to Mrs. Knight.
Then he set out to find Jim. At Tony
the Barber's shop, in the, rear room,
he found his brother-in-law playing
cards with pop-eyed youth and a re-
pellent person with caulif1ower ear
Bob's greeting was hearty. Eve
ming, James," he cried. Feel like TAX
Ing your beating here?"
"Eh? What's the matter?" Jim
rose from his chair with a shocked In
tensity of gaze.
1--WE come to return your last call.
Alas, James, am a weak vessel! Your
work was coarse, but fell for It" To
the other occupants Of the room he
apOlOgized. 'I'm sorry to spoil your
little game of authors, but necessity
prods me-" He extended a muscular
hand for Jim's collar and found 1t.
Mr.. Armistead was Of the emotional
kind; he went to the rescue of his
friend; but when Bob's fist buried it
self in the spongy region Of Mr.. Armi-
stead's belt buckle that young man
promptly lost all interest in Jimmy
knights affairs. He sat down heavily,
desperately concerned with a strange
difficulty in breathing.
4 Alert, aggressive, Bob turned to face
the man with the swollen ear; but
young Sullivan. being a professional
| fighter, made no capital of amateur af.