Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-10-05
CHAPTER XIV.

Hitchy Koo had gone home. When
Lilas ushered her friends In and
snapped on the lights, the apartment,
save for the delirious spaniel, was up.
occupied. She flung down her hat.
coat and gloves, then, with the help
Of Jim, prepared glasses and cooler.
Lorelei was restless; the thought of
more wine, more ribaldry, revolted her,
and yet she was grateful for this delay,
brief though It promised to be. Any
Interruption, trivial or tragic, would
be welcome. She was forced ia. pledge
her own happiness in glass. then in
a wild moment Of desperation longed
to deaden herself with liquor. az 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 Harmon paused ON the
threshold, glowering.
Lilas' wineglass shattered upon the
floor.
Jarvis! You frightened me-" abe
cried.
Evening. Mr.. Harmon" Bob
lurched to his feet, upsetting his chair.
'This Is s'prise."
Jim had risen likewise, but Ham
mon had eyes for; no one except Lilas.
"Ah! You're home again, finally.
Where have you been?" he demanded,
in "a voice heavy with anger. His
hostile tone, his threatening attitude
brought an uncomfortable silence
upon the hearers,
NOW, Jarvis. said the bridegroom,
placatingly, steadying himself mean
while with the aid Of the table, don't
be crouch. sEverything's all right ?
Lilas remained smotlonless, staring
defiantly. Her face had slowly whit
ened, and now It's unpleasantness
matched that of her elderly admirer.
Harmon dropped his smoldering gaze
to the half-empty glasses, then raised
1t, scowling at Jim.
"Humph! Who is-this?"
Lilas made her guest known. "Mr.
knight, Mr.. Harmon. I believe you
know Miss Knight
80 you're the one" Harmon
showed his teeth In a sardonic smile.
Pm 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
LiIas. "I-".
She was interrupted roughly. That's
precisely what don't intend to be; and
l don't intend that Bob shall be one,
either" He turned to young Whar-
ton. What are you doing here. my
boy? I'm sorry to see you with these
grafters." Harmon indicated Jim
and I4orelei with nod.
Eth? What's that?" Bob stiffened.
''Lorelei's my wife. g true, Jarvis. y
"Wife?" Harmon took q heavy step
forward. "Wife?. You're drunk, Bob!'
"P'r'aps. But we're mar
$50! You landed him, did you?''
Harmon glared at the brother and
sister. You got him drunk and mar
ried him, Ell? And Lilas helped you,
suppose. Fine! They're crooks,
Bob. and they've made q fool OF YOU
Bob checked the speech on Lorelei's
lips with an appraised hand, then said
slowly, with painful effort to sober
himself: We've been good friends,
Jarvis; you're kind Of an uncle to
me, but-you're a liar. You've He'd
bout my wife, so I s'pose I've got to
lick you" With q backward kick he
sent his overturned chair flying, then
made for Harmon. But Jim seized
him by the arm; Lorelei sprang in
front Of him.
J"Mr. Whaf-Bob," she cried. 'sYou
mustn't-for my sake" The three
scufiied for an instant until Harmon
said, more quietly: AZ
Il couldn't fight with you, Bob
you're like my own son. But you've
been sold out, and-an It looks % IL
| I'd been sold out, too. Now 90 home
and sleep. didn't come here to quar-
rel with you: have q matter Of my
own to SETTLE" He laid hand on
Bob's shoulder IN an effort to pacify
him, but the young mans indignation
hared into life with drunken persist-
ence. It was Lorelei who ut last pre-
vailed upon her husband to leave
peaceably, and shs was about to ne
company him whom LiIa6 Lynn checksd
hne. 8. -. II q z