Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-09-15
CHAPTER XIV.

Hitchy Koo had gone home. When
Lilas ushered her friends in and
snapped on the lights, the apartment,
save for the delrious 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 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
A wild moment Of desperation longed
to deaden herself with liquor as the
others had done.
Jim and Lilas We're talking loudly
when key grated in the lock, the
door Of the little apartment opened,
and Jarvis Harmon paused on the
threshold, gowering.
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 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,
placatingly, steadying himself mean
while with the aid of the table, don't
be a crouch. Everything's Ill right p"
Lilas remained motionless, staring
defantly. 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 ut jim.
"Humph! Who is-this"
Lilas made her guest known. "Mr.
Knight, Mr.. Harmon. | believe you
know Miss Knight"
80 you're the one" Harmon
showed his teeth in a sardonic smile.
Pm the one wharf" inquired Jim,
with a sickly attempt at pleasantly.
"What does she see in you?" Ham
mon measured the young man with
contemptuous curiosity,
"Don't be an ass, Jarvis began
LilaS. q"
She was interrupted roughly. "That's
precisely what | don't intend to be- and
] don't intend that Bcb shall be one,
either He turned to young Whar-
ton. "Nhat are You doing here, my
boy? I'm sorry to see you with these
grafters." Harmon indicated jim
ana l.orelei with nod.
"Eh? What's that Bob stiffrned.
T.orclel's my wife. g true, Jarvis"
"Wifc?" ITammon took heavy step
forward. "Wife? You're drunk Bob!'
"p'r'aps. But we're mar"
80! You landed him, did youT'
Harmon glarcd 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 "A fool OF You y
Rob checked the speech on Lorelri's
lips with an appraised 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 liar. You've lied
bout my wife. so spose I've got to
HEX YOU" With a backward kick he
sent his overturned chair flying, then
made for Harmon But Jim seized
him by the arm; L0relei sprang in
front Of him.
"Mr. Whnr-Boh." she cried. "Yor
mustn't-for my sake" The three
scufled for an instant until Hammer
said, more quietly:
~ couldn't fight with you, Bob
you're like my own son. But you'v,
been sold out and-and it looks as i
I'd been sold out. too, Now go HON,
and sleep. l didn't come here to quar-
rel with you; have matter of my
own to settle" He laid a hand OF
Rob's shoulder in an effort to pacif,
him, but the young mans indignation
hared into life with drunken persist
ence. 1t was Iorelel who at last pre-
vailed upon her husband to leav,
ueaceably. and she was about to &C