The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-12-07

at Jarvis expense. He's crazy about
marriages, anyhow. Ha! But you
needn't tell him I was--full. under
standY" She fell silent suddenly. then
burst into a loud laugh. "Bahl
should worryr'
The ferry drew into its slip, the cab
motor shivered. the metallic rattle OF
windiass and chain proclaimed the re-
turn TO Manhattan. Up the deserted
avenues the vehicle sped, while inside
the whitefaced bride covered with fin
gers locked aud heart sick with dread.
CHAPTER XIV.
Hltchy Koo had gone home When
Lilas ushered her friends in and
snapped on the lights. the apartment.
save for the delirious spaniel, was un-
occupied. She flung down her hat.
coat and gloves, then. with the help
of Jim, prepared glasses and n cooler.
Lorelel was restless; the thought of
more wine. more rlbaldry. revolted her.
and yet she was grateful for this delay,
brief though II promised to be. Any
interruption, trivial or tragic. would
he welcome she was forced to pledge
her own happiness In glass, then In
wild moment OF desperation longed
to deaden herself with liquor as the
others had done.
Jim and Lilas were talking loudly
when key grated In the lock. the
door of the little apartment opened
and Jarvis Hammon paused on the
threshold, glowering.
Lllas' wineGlass shattered upon the
| floor.
Jarvis! You frightened me-" she
cried.
Evening, Mr.. Hammon." Bob
lurched TO his feet, upsetting his chair.
''This Is a s'prise,"
| Jim had risen likewise, but Ham
mon had eyes for no one except Lllas.
"Ahl You're home again, finally.
Where have you been?" he demarded.
in voice heavy with anger. His
hostile tone. his threatening attitude
brought an uncomfortable silence
upon the hearers.
"Now, Jarvis" said the bridegroom,
placatlngly. steadying himself mean
while with the MD Of the table, "don't
be crouch. Everythlng's all right"
Lilas remained motlonless, staring
defiantly. Her face had slowly whit.
ened. and now its unpleasantness
matched that of her elderly admirer.
Hanmon dropped his smoldering gaze
to the half-empty glasses, then raised
II, scowling at Jim.
"Humphl Who is-thls?"
I.lIas made her guest known. "Mr.
Knight, Mr.. Hammon. l believe you
know Miss Knight"
80 you're the one" Hammop
showed his teeth in a sardonIc smile.
I'm the one what?" inquired Jim,
with sickly attempt at pleasantly.
"What does she see In your" Ham
mon measured the young man with
contemptuous curiosity.
Don't be an ass, Jarvis" began
|, Lilas. 'T-"
She was interrupted roughly. THAT'S
precisely what don't intend to be; and
| don't intend that Bob shall be one.
either" He turned 10 young Whar-
ton. what are you doing here. my
boy? I'm sorry to see you with these
grafters." Harmon indicated Jim
and Lorelei with a nod.
"Eh? What's ,thatT" Bob stiGened.
"Lorelel's my wife. IS true, Jarvis"
"Wifef" Hammon took heavy step
forward. "wife2 You're drunk. Bob!"
"P'r'aps. But we're mar"
"So You landed him, did your
Hammon glared at the brother and
sister. "You got him drunk and mar
ried him, eh? And Lilas helped you,
suppose. Fine! They're crooks,
Bob. and they've made fool OF you"
Bob checked the speech on Lorelei's
lips with an upralsed hand. then said
slowly. with a painful effort to sober
himself: "We'ye been good friends.
Jarvis; you're n kind OF an uncle to
me, but--you're liar. You've lied
bout my wife. so I s'pose I've got to
lick you" With a backward kick he
sent his overturned chair flying. then
made for Hammon. But Jim seized
. him by the arm; Lorelel sprang In
front of him.
"Mr. Whar-Bob," she cried. "You
mustn't-for my sake" The three
scufiied for an instant until Harmon
said. more quietly:
81 couldn't fight with you. Bob
. you're like my own son. But you've
been sold out, and-and 1t looks as IL
I'd been sold out, too. Now go home
and sleep. l didn't come here to quar-
rel with you; 1 have a matter of my
own to settle" He laid hand on
.Bob's shoulder in an effort to paclfy
him, but the young mans indignation
fared into life with drunken persist
ence. It was Lorelei who at last pre-
vailed upon her husband to leave
peaceaby, and she was about to ac-
company him when Lilas Lynn checked
her
SssSsSssesssssSsssssssssssssssssss
S Do YOU feel that a mora fr,.Ihk u