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


against his first drink but after he had
taken it and after other drinks had
gone the way of the first, he met
number of people whom he liked and
to whom he was inspired to show his
liking, and, strange to say, the more
he drank the more of such friends he
discovered. BY late afternoon he was
In Enthusiastically jubilant mood, and,
selling Kurtz, he bore him across the
way to Delmonico's.
Now, Kurtz was worldly and there
fore tolerant. He had grown to like
and to understand his young associate
very well indeed and something about
Bob's riotous disposition to gladness
awoke response in the little tailor.
1t was that expansive and expensive
hour of the afternoon when business
worries are dropped and before social
cares are shouldered. 1t was cocktail
time along the avenue, the hour when
sprees are born and engagements bro
ken, and as it heightened Wharton cele-
brated it as in days gone by His
last regret had vanished; he was hav-
ing splendid time, when a page called
him to a telephone booth.
Adoree's voice greeted him; she was
speaking from his own home, and her
first words almost sobered him. Some
thing was wrong; Bob was needed
quickly; Lorelei was asking for him.
For more than an hour they had been
Vainly trying to locate him. They had
succeeded in reaching the doctor, and
he was herewith nurse. Adoree's
voice broke-Lorelei was frightened
and so was the speaker. Bob had bet
ter waste no time.
When Bob lurched out of the booth
he was white; the noisy group he had
left rose in alarm at sight of his
stricken face. His legs led him
crooked course out of the cafe, bring
ing him into collision with chairs and
tables and causing him to realize for
the first time how far he had allowed
himself to go. In a shaking voice he
called for a taxieab, meanwhile allow
1ng the raw air of the street to cool
his head.
The terror of the unknown was upon
him. But regrets were unavailing.
Something had gone wrgng, and Lore
lei needed him. She was calling for
him and he was drunk. He would reel
up to her bed of pain with bleared eyes.
with poisoned lips. How could he kiss
her? How could he explainY
The cab swung into the curb, and
he scrambled out, then stumbled blind
ly up the steps and into the building
where he lived.
Adoree met him at his own door.
Wharton's impression was vague; he
saw little more than the tragic widen
ing of the girls eyes as she recognized
his condition.
Am l as bad as that?" he STAN
mered. "Do you hink she'll notice it?"
"Oh, Bob!' Adoree cried, in strick-
en- voice. "How could you-at this
timer
you said she wanted me. couldn't
take time"
eyes! She has been calling for you,
but I'm sorry I found you"
A silent footed figure in a nurses
uniform emerged from the dining room,
and her first expression of relief at
sight of Bob changed swiftly to a stare
of startled wonderment. Bob was not
too drunk to read the half-spoken pro-
test on her lips. Then he heard his
wife calling him, and realized that
somehow she knew Of his coming. At
the sound of her voice, strangely
throaty and hoarse from pain, the
strength ran out of his body. The
doctor heard him fumbling at the bed
room door and admitted him: then a
: low, aching cry Of disappointment
sounded, and Adoree Demorest bowed
her head upon her arms.
When Bob CROPPED his way back into
the living room his look was CHASTITY
his face was damp; his eyes were des-
perate.
"She sent me away" he whispered
"Poor thingw He WINGED at Ado
reefs tone. God! I heard her when
she saw you. l wonder If you real
ize@"
"Oh, yes" he nodded, slowly. 81
don't get drunk all over, like most men
I'm afraid I'll never forget that cry
He was trembling, and his terror was
SO pitiful that Adoree laid a compass
sionate hand upon his shoulder.
Don't let go, Bob. Hold your
thoughts steady and sober up. We
must all help"
Darkness found Bob huddled in his
chair, fighting for his senses, but as
the liquor died in him terrible fancies
came to life. A frightened maid began
preparations for his dinner, but be
ordered her away. Then when she
brought him tray, anger at the
thought that his own comfort should
be considered of consequence made
him refuse to touch it,
At length his inactivity became I'M
abearable, and, feeling the desperate
need of sane counsel, he telephonet
John Merkle. Bob was too deeply agi
tated to more than note the bankers