Meade County news., 1916-12-21

needn't tell him l was-full, under
standT She fell silent suddenly, then
burst into a loud laugh. BAIL
should worryw
The ferry drew into its slip, the cab
motor shivered, the metallic rattle OF
windlass and chain proclaimed the re-
turn to Manhattan. Up the deserted
avenues the vehicle sped, while inside
the white-faced bride covered with fin
gers locked and heart sick with dread.
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 un-
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 1t promised to be. Any
interruption, trivial or tragic, would
be 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 Harmon paused on the
threshold, glowering.
Lilas' 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 Lilas.
"Ah! You're home again, finally.
Where have you been?" he demanded,
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 aid of the table, "don't
be a crouch. Everything's. all right"
Lilas remained motlonless, staring
denantly. Her face had slowly whit
ened, and now its unpleasantnesa
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-thls"
Lllas made her guest known. "Mr.
Knight Mr.. Harmon. l believe you
know Miss Knight"
$50 you're the one" HammoD
showed his teeth in sardonic smile.
"I'm the one whatT inquired Jim,
: with siclzly 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. u"
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 to 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 nod.
"Eh2 What's that2" Bob stifened.
"Lorelel's my wife. IS true, Jarvis"
"Wife" Harmon took heavy step
forward. "Wlfe2 You're drunk, Bob"
"P'r'aps. But we're mar"
"Sol You landed him, did your
| Harmon glared at the brother and
sister. "You got him drunk and mar
ried him, eh? And Lilas helped you,
, 1 suppose. Finel They're crooks,
Bob, and they've made fool Of you"
Bob checked the speech on LoreIei's.
: lips with an upraised hand, then said
, slowly, with a 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 lied
bout my wife, SO s'pose I've got to
lick you" With backward kick he
, sent his overturned chair flying, then
made for Harmon. But Jim seized
I him by the arm; Lorelel sprang In
front of him.
"Mr. Whar-Bob," she cried. "You
mustn't-for my sake" The three
scufHed for an instant until :Hammon
, said, more quietly:
II 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. didn't come here to quar-
, rel with you; have a matter of my
own to SETTLE" he laid q hand on
, Bob's shoulder in an effort to pacify
! him, but the young mans indignation
hared into life with drunken persist
ence. 1t was Lorelei who at last pre-
: vailed upon her husband to leave
. peaceably, and she was about to ac-
, company him when Lilas Lynn checked
/ her.
HSe9Ssssssssss&sesssssssssssSsss esesseeeeS
q Do YOU feel that q moro friNht- *