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

divorce, moreover, would open the
way for a second inroad upon the
Wharton wealth, for with Lorelei's
skirts clear Jim could proceed with q
larger scheme Of extortion, based on
the Harmon murder.
One evening after Lorelei had gone
to the theater Jim appeared at the
apartment and found Bob in mood so
restless and irritable that he dared not
go out.
81 had lunch you were lonesome"
the caller began, $50 came up to whit
tie and spit at the stove"
Now Jim could be agreeable when
he chose: his parasitic life had devel-
oped in him certain worldly good
fellowship; he was frankly unregener-
ate, and he had sufficient tact never to
apologize nor to explain. Therefore
he kept Bob entertained.
] A few nights later he returned with
"a fund of new stories, and during the
levening he confessed to consuming
thirst
"Death valley has nothing on this
place." he mourned.
Bob explained apologetically, I'm
sorry, but there's nothing in the house
!wetter than Croton water."/
81 understand! Will you object IL /
sweeten glass of it with some Scot
fish rites? I'm afraid of germs, and
IL water rots leather think what 1t
must do to the sensitive lining Of a
human stomach?" Jim drew a flask
from his pocket, then hesitated as If
in doubt.
Don't mind me-" Bob assured him,
hastily. I'm strapped in the drivers
seat" But he looked on with eager
appreciation as his brother-in-law filed
q long glass and slipped it.
Bob had never been a whisky-drink-
er, yet the faint odor of the liquor tam
'talized him. When in the course of
time he saw Jim preparing second
drink he stirred.
"Kind of itchy. eh? Let's whip
across the street and have game of
pool" suggested Jim; and Bob was
glad to escape from the room.
An agreeable hour followed; but Bob
played badly, and found that his eye
had lost its sureneSs His hand was
uncertain. too, and this lack of co-or-
dination Disguised him. He was sure
that with steadying drink he could
beat Jim, and eventually he proved it;
but, mindful of his resolution, he COM
promised on beer, which, Jim agreed,
could not reasonably be called an in
toxicant
On his way to the theater Bob
chewed cinnamon bark, and when he
kissed Iorelei he held his breath
This was the first of several pool
matches, and after while Bob was
gratified to find that beer in modera-
ton left no disagreeable effect what
ever upon him. He rejoiced In his
power of restraint.
There came a ni;eht when he failed
to meet his wife, After waiting nearly
half an hour Lorelei went home, only
to find the apartment deserted. She
nibbled at a lonely lunch, trying to as.
sure herself that nothing was seriously
amiss; but she could not make I'D her
mind to go to bed. She tried to read,
and failed. An hour passed, then an
other; thousand apprehensions
crowded in upon her.
Bob, when he did arrive, entered
with elaborate caution. He paused in
the little hall, then tossed his hat into
the living room, where his wife was
waiting. After moment his head
came slowly into view, and he said:
"When the hat stays in, go in; when
1t comes out, beat it,"
II just came from the theater," he
explained, "but it was dark. Has the
show failed, dearie?" He tried to kiss
her, but she turned her face away.
"Come! Must have my little kiss" he
insisted as she rose and moved away,
leaving him swaying in his tracks.
Studying Lorelei's unsmiling face
his tone altered. ooh, / know! /
slipped, but it couldn't be helped. Ma
ture insisted, and yielded gracefully
but no harm done, none whatever.
Life is series of compromises. Mod
GRAFTON is the thing. Live and let live"
Lorelei nodded. Exactly! We shall
live as we choose, only, of course, we
can't live together after this" Then
her disgust burst its control, and she
demanded, bitterly, Haven't you any
strength whatever? Haven't you any
balance, Bob?"
He grinned at her cheerfully. II
should say had. / walked fence on
the way home just to prove it; and I
scarcely wabbled. Balance! Strength!
Why, you ought to see Jim. They had
to carry him"
"Jim? Was-Jim with your"
''In spirit, yes; in body-only for a
time. For brief while we went gayly.
hand in hand, then Jim Jagged. He's a
nice boy, but weak; he falters beneath
q load"
She questioned him searchingly and
soon learned Of Jim's visits. of the
flask, of the pool games. When she
understood it all her eyes We're glow
Ing but she found nothing to say. AT
last she got Bob to bed, then lay
down beside him and stared into the
darkness through rlany wakeful hours.
In the morning he was not only con-
trite, but badly frightened, yet when
he undertook to make his peace he
found her unexpectedly mild.
sIf you're sorry, that's all ask" she
said. Il changed my mind during the
night"
Never again!' he promised, feeling.
". Il thought had cured myself"