Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1916-09-01


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
Ltlas usnered her friends in and
snapped on the lights, the apartment,
save for the delirious spaniel, was I'M
occupied. She flung down her hat.
coat and gloves, then, with the help
of Jim, prepared glasses and a cooler
Lorelei was restless; the thought of
more wine, more ribaldry, revolted her,
and vet she was grateful for this delay.
brief though it promised to be. Any
interruption, trivial or tragic. would
be weieome 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 a key grated in the lock, the
door of the little apartment opened
and Jarvis Harmon paused on the
threshold, glowerlng.
Lilas wineglass shattered upon the
floor.
"Jarvisl You frightened me-" she
cried.
Evening, Mr.. Harmon" Bob
lurched to his feet, upsetting his chair
This is a s'prise"
jim had risen likewise but Ham,
mon had eyes Cor 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 a crouch, Everything's all right"
Lilas remained motionless. staring
dehantly. Her face had slowly whit
ened, and now its 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-ths?"
Lilas made her guest known. "Mr.
Knight, Mr.. Harmon. / believe you
know Miss Knight"
$50 you're the one" Harmon
showed his teeth in a sardonlc smile.
I'm the one whatT" inquired Jim.
with a 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. TT"
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 Lorelei with a nod.
"Eh? What's thatY' Bob stiffened
"Lorelei's my wife. = true, Jarvis"
"Wife?" Harmon took a heavy step
forward. wife? You're drunk, Bobv'
'P'r'aps. But were mar"
$50! You landed him, did your
Harmon glared at the brother and
sister. "You got him drunk and mar,
ried him, ELI? And Lilas helped you.
suppose Fine! They're crooks,
Bob, and they'veRnade a fool of you"
Bob checked the speech on Loreei's
lips with an upi aised hand, then said
slowly, withsa painful effort to sober
himself: "We've been good friends,
Jarvis. you're a 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 a backward kick he
sent his overturned chair nyIng. then
made for Harmon. But Jim seized
him by the arm; Lorelei sprang In
front of him.
"Bfr. Whar-Bob," she cried. "You
mustn't-for my sake" The three
scufled for an instant until Harmon
said, more quietly;
II couldn't fight with you, Bob
you're like my own son. But you've
been sold ont, and-and It looks as IL
I'd been sold out, too Now go home
and sleep. ! didn't come here to quar-
rel with you. | have matter of my
own 10 settle' He laid a hand on
Bob's shoulder in an effort TO pacify
him but the young mans Indignation
Jared into life with drunken persist
ence. 1t was Lorelei who at last pre-
vailed 1pOn her husband to leave
peaceably. and she was about to &C
company him when iilas Lynn checked
her
3 DO you feel thar more fright y
s FIJI exnarience stlfl is innnanhinn 8