The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-12-28

DuTlnR tnlS little OeClaratlOn LOrelei
had watched him keenly; she appeared
to be seriously weighing his offei
~ was getting pretty tired OF
things" he added. "and s'pose I'd
have wound up In the ID. T. parlors OF
some highly exclusive institution or be-
hind bathroom door with a gas tube
In my teeth. Butt met you, and you
went TO my head. wanted you worse
than I ever wanted anything-worse
even than I ever wanted liquor. And
now have you. I've had you for one
day, and that's something. suppose
it's silly to talk about starting over.
don't want to reform IL don't have
to; moderation strikes meas an awful
cold proposition; but 1t looks as IL re-
form were indicated IL I'm to keep you.
I'm Just an album OF expensive habits,
and-we're broke. Maybe could-do
something with myself II you took a
hand It's a good deal to ask OF
girl like you, but"-he regarded her
timidly. then averted his eyes-"if you
cared to try It we might make II go
for while. And you might get to care
for me a little-if improve" Again
he paused hopefully. i've been as
honest as know how. Now, won't you
be the samef"
Lorelei reused herself, and spoke
with quiet decision.
"I'll go through to the end, Bob"
Bob started and uttered an inarticu-
late word or two; In his face was n
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 thatr'
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 delirIum 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"
"Beautifulr His eyes were afiame.
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 1t. At intervals he
crushed his lips into its pink palm.
"We must start honestly" she began.
''Do you mind IL 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 q man."
He frowned slightly.
THAT'S what makes this whole mat
ter so difficult" she went on. "Don't
you sect"
He shook his head.
"You don't love me, you're drunk
wfth-somethlng altogether different
ed. "You show II. You don't even
know the real me-"
Beauty may be only skin dis
ease" Bob laughed, "but ugliness goes
clear to the bone"
II married you for your money, and
you married me because-I seemed
physically perfect-because my face
and my body reused fires In you. I
think we are both pretty rotten at
heart, don't you"
mo. Anyhow. don't care to think
about It, l never won anything by
thinking. Kiss me again."
She ignored his demand, with her
shndowy smile. II deliberately traded
on my looks; put myself up for
price, and you paid that price regard
less OF everything except your desires.
We muddled things dreadfully and got
our deserts. / didn't love you. don't
love you now any more than you love
A%%Nf eNs We it touitHB W
speet each other, and that IL a begin
ming. You have longlngs to be some
thing different and better; so have I.
Let's try together. have 1t in me to
succeed. but I'm not sure about YOU"
Thanks for the good cheer"
you're afraid you can't make llv-
ing for us--I know you can. I'm mere
ly afraid you won't"
what do you mean" he asked.
81 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 lnu-
mate use Of his name. "The chemistry
OF your body demands the stuf--you
couldn't be temperate in anything.
You'll have to quit"
"All right. I'll quit. l divorce thb
demon rum; lovers once. but strangers
now. I'll quit gambling, too"
Lorelei laughed. "That won't strrin
Ill a. -