Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-12-15

Your
can take EN-, but can't make EN-"
His voice rose sternly: young lady.
the night that baby was born | stood
outside this house for hours because |
WIS afraid to come In. And my feet
hurt Ike the devil. too. | wouldn't
lose that much sleep for the whole stee
trust. but didn't dare 60 back to the
hotel for mother was waiting, and
was afraid Of her, too. don't intend
to 70 through another night like that
Bob's mother turned to her son, say
Ing she is beautiful, and she is
good, too. Anybody can see that We
could love her for what she has done
for you, If for nothing else
We'll should say So" proudly
Wanted the son. "She took a chance
when she didn't care for me. and she
made me into a regular fellow. Why
she reformed me from the ground up
I've sworn off every blessed thing
used to do"
Including drinking3' grutlly querled
the father.
Eyes"
lorelei smiled her slow, reluctant
smile at the visitors. and her voice was
gentle as she said: "FIe thinks he has
but It's hard to stop entirely, and you
mustn't blame him If he forgets him
self occasionally. You see, drinking Is
mostly matter of temperament, after
all. But he is doing splendidly and
some day perhaps"
They nodded understandings
you'll try TO like us, won't you, for
Bobs sake?' pleaded the old lady,
tImidly.
Il intend to love you both pery dear
IT," shyy returned the girl, and, noting
the light in Loreleis face. Bob Whar-
ton was satisfied
Restraint vanished swiftly under the
old couples evident determination to
make amends, but after they had gone
Iorelei became so pensive that Bob
said. anxiously. 81 hope you weren't
polite to them merely for my sake"
Loreci shook her head. "No was
only thinking Do you realize that
none OF my own people have been to
see me? That haven't had a single
word from any of them?'
Bob stirred uncomfortably; he start
ed to speak. then checked himself as
she went on, not without some effort
I'm going to say something unpleas-
ant, but | think you ought to know it.
When they learn that your parents
have taken me in and made up with US
they're going to ask me for money. It's
q terrible thing to say, but it's true
DO you want to see them1 Do you
want them to see the baby?"
"N.no!' Lorelci was pale as abe
made answer. Not after all that has
passed"
Bob heaved a grateful sigh. I'm
glad They won't trouble you any
more"
"Why2 What"
1--WE been waiting until you were
strong to tell you I've noticed how
their silence hurt you, butts my
fault that they haven't been here. !
sent them away"
You sent them away
Yes. fixed them with money and
they're happy at last. There's consid-
erable to tell. Jim got into trouble
with the police and finally sent for me,
He told me everything and--it wasn't
pretty: I'd rather not repeat all he said,
but Il opened my eyes and showed me
why they brought you here. how they
put you on the auction block, and how
they cried for bids He told ne things
YOU know nothing about and could
never guess. When he had finished
thanked God that they had flung you
into NV arms instead of-some other
mans It's n miracle that you weren't
sacrificed utterly"
"Where is jim uvWT
"Somew here In the boundless West.
He gave me his promise to reform"
"He never will"
"Of course not, and don't expect II
Of him. You see, ! know how hard 1t
is to reform"
"But mother and father"
I'm coming to them. My dad came
around the day after our baby was
born and shook hands. He wanted to
stamp right in here and tell you what
fool he had made Of himself, but |
wouldn't stand for Il. Finally, when
he saw the kid, he blew up entirely
and right away proposed breaking
ground for a Jasper palace for the
youngster He wanted to build 1t In
Pittsburgh where be could run In. go
inC to and from business, Mother wa