Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-10-13


rorm were indicated If I'm to keep you.
I'm Just en- album Of expensive habits,
and-we're broke. Maybe ! could-do
something with myself If you took q
hand. It's a good deal to ask Of q
girl like you, but"-he regarded her
timidly, then averted his eyes-'if you
cared to try 1t we might make It go
for while. And you might get to care
for me llttle-if l improve" Again
he paused hopefully. 1--WE been as
honest as | know how. Now, won't you
be the same?"
Lorelei reused herself, and spoke
with quiet decision.
'l'll 60 through to the end, Bob"
Bob started and uttered an inarticu-
late word or two; in his face was u
light Of gladness that went to the
girls heart His name had risen free
ly to her lips he felt as IL she had laid
her hand in his with a declaration Of
absolute trust.
"You mean that"
She nodded
He took her In his arms and kissed
her gently; then, feeling her warm
against his breast, he burst the bonds
that had restrained him up to this mo-
ment and covered her face, her neck.
her hair with passionate caresses. For
the first time since his delirlum of the
night before he abandoned himself to
the hunger her beauty excited, and she
offered him no resistance
At last she freed herself, and,
Strengthening the disorder Of her hair,
smiled at him mistily.
"Wait. Please"
Beautiful His eyes were afame.
you're my wife. Nothing can change
that"
Nothing except-yourself Now, you
must listen to me- She forced him re-
luctantly into his chair and seated her.
self opposite He leaned forward and
kissed her once more, then seized her
hand and held It, Az intervals he
crushed his lips into its pink palm.
ave must start honestly" she began.
'Do you mind If hurt your
"You can't hurt me so long as you
don't-leave me. Your eyes have haunt
ed me every night I've seen the curve
Of your neck-your lips. No woman
was ever so perfect. so maddening"
always that, You're not a husband
at this moment; you're only a man."
He frowned slightly.
"Thats what makes this whole mat
ter so difficult" she went on Don't
you see?"
He shook his head.
you don't love me, you're drunk
with-something altogether different
to love. It's true" she insist
ed. you show 1t. You don't even
know the real me-"
Beauty may be only skin dis
ease" Bob laughed, but ugliness goes
clear to the bone"
~ married you for your money, and
you married me because--I seemed
physically perfect-because my face
and my body reused fires In you.
think we are both pretty rotten at
heart, don't your"
mo Anyhow, I don't care to think
about 1t. l never won anything by
thinking. Kiss me again."
She ignored his demand, with her
shadowy smile. II deliberately traded
on my looks; | put myself up for a
price and you paid that price regard
less of everything except your desires.
We muddled things dreadfuly and got
our deserts. | didn't love you, don't
love you now any more than you love
me; but think we're coming to re-
spect each other, and that Is begin
ming. You have longIngs to be some
thing different and better; so have |.
Let's try together. l have 1t In me to
succeed. but I'm not sure about you"
Thanks for the good cheer"
you're afraid you cant make liv-
ing for u.s. know you can. I'm mere
ly afraid you won't"
What do you mean?' he asked.
~ don't believe the liquor will let
you"
Nonsense. Any man can cut down"
"'Cutting down won't do for us,
Bob" He thrilled anew at her init