Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-11-30

all. But ne is DONG splendldly, and
some day perhaps"
They nodded understandings
you'll try to like US. won't you, for
Bob's sake?" pleaded tile old lady.
timidly.
Il intend to love you both very dear.
~" shyly returned the girl, and, noting
the light in Lorelei's face, Bob Whar-
ton was satisfied.
! Restraint vanished awiftly under the
old couples evident determination to
make amends, but after they had gone
Lorelei became so pezsive that Bob
said, anxiously. Il hope you weren't
polite to them merely for my sake"
Lorelei shook her head. ''No. I was
only thinking Do you realize that
none of my own people have been to
see me? That I haven't had a single
word from any of them?"
| Bob stirred uncomfortably; he start
ed to speak. then checked himself as
she went on, not without some effort:
@I'm going to say something unpleas
| ant, but think You ought to know it.
| When they learn that your parents
have taken me in and made up with US
! they're going to ask me for money. It's
a terrible thing to say, but it's true"
''Do you want to see them? Do you
want them to see the baby?"
"N-nov' Lorelei was pale as she
made answer. Not after all that has
passed"
| Bob heaved a grateful sigh I'm
glad. They won't trouble you any
more"
"Why? What"
1--WE been waiting until you were
strong to tell you. I've noticed how
their silence hurt you, butts my
fault that they haven't been here.
sent them away
you sent them away?"
Eyes. / fixed them with money and
they're happy at last. There's consid-
cradle to tell. Jim got into trouble
with the police and finally sent for me
He told me everything and-it wasn't
pretty; ia rather not repeat all he said,
| but it opened my eyes and showed me
why they brought you here, how they
| put you on the auction block, and how
| they cried for bids. He told me things
you know nothing about and could
never guess. When he had finished
thanked God that they had flung you
into my arms instead of-some other
mans. It's miracle that you weren't
sacrificed utterly
"Where is Jim now?"
Somewhere in the boundless West
He gave me his promise to reform"
"He never will"
"0f course not, and don't expect 1t
of him. You see, know how hard 1t
| is to reform"
"But mother and father?"
"Tmcoming to them. My dad came
around the day after our baby was
born and shook hands. He wanted to
stamp right in here and tell you what
fool he had made of himself, but /
| wouldn't stand for it. Finally, when
he saw the kid, he blew up entirely,
and right away proposed breaking
| ground for jasper palace for the
youngster. He wanted to build 1t In
Pittsburgh where he could run in, go
| ing to and from business. Mother was
| just as foolish, too. Well, when had
had my little understanding with Jim
| and learned the whole truth about your
people realized that no matter where
we went they would be a constant
| menace to our happiness unless they
| were provided for. 1t struck me that
you had made a game fight for happt
ness, and l couldn't stand for any
thing to spoil it at the last minute.
went to mother and told her the facts,
and she seemed to understand as well
as / how you must feel in spite of all
they had done, so we shook down the
governor for an endowment"
Bob! What do you mean?" LoreIei
faltered in bewilderment
eve asked him for hundred thou
sand dollars and got it."
Lorelei gasped.
HE beloved like a bull, he spat
| poison like a COBRA he writhed like
| bucket of cells, but we put it over"
"a hundred thousand dollarsw whis-
pered the wife.
ITO penny. And it's in the bank to
yOuT Cleull- buL L uluH SlOp lHeFe.
Bob's voice hardened IT went to your
mother and in your name l promised
| her the income from it so long, and
only so long, as she and Peter stayed
away from you. She accepted-ratfseY
| greedily, l thought-and they have
gone back to Vale They have your
| old house, and l have their promise
| never to see you except upon your invi-
| tation. OF course you can go to them
whenever you wish, but-they're
happy, and I think we will be happier
with them in Vale than In New York
hope you don't object to my arrange
ment."
There was long silence then Lore
lei sighed. "You are very good man,
Bob. 1t was my dream to do some
thing of this sort, but could never
have done it so well.''