Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-10-26
BY REX BEAC

hand. It's good deal to ask Of Z
girl like you, butt" he regarded hes
timidly. then averted his eyes-s.if you
cared to try It we might make It "a
for while. And you might get to care
Tor me little II improve" Again
he paused hopefully. i've been Al
honest as know how. Now, won't you
be the same?"
Lorelei reused herself, and spoke
with quiet decision.
I'm go through to the end, Bob"
Bob started and uttered an inarticu.
late word or two; In his face was a
light of gladness that went to the
girls heart. His name had risen free.
~ to her lips; he felt as II she had laid
her hand in his with declaration OF
absolute trust.
You mean that?"
She nodded.
He took her in his arms and kissed
her gently; then, feeling her warm
against his breast, he burst the bonds
that had restrained him up to this mo-
ment and covered her face, her neck,
her hair with passionate caresses. For
the first time since his delirlum Of the
night before he abandoned himself to
the hunger her beauty excited, and she
offered him no resistance.
At last she freed herself, and,
Strengthening the disorder OF her hair,
smiled at him mistily.
"Wait Please"
"Beautiful!' His eyes were afiamc.
You're my wife. Nothing can change
that"
Nothing except yourself. Now, you
must listen to me-" She forced him re.
luctantly into his chair and seated her
self opposite. He leaned forward and
kissed her once more, then seized her
hand and held 1t. At intervals he
crushed his lips into Its pink. palm.
1--WE must start honestly she began.
do you mind If hurt you?"
You can't hurt me SO long as you
don't-leaye me. Your eyes have haunt.
ed me every night I've seen the curve
of your neck-your lips. No woman
was ever SO perfect, SO maddening.' :
always that You're not husband
at this moment; you're only a man."
He frowned slightly.
THAT'S what makes this whole mat
ter so difficult" she went on. Don't
you see?"
He shook his head.
you don't love me. you're drunk
withdrawing altogether different
to love. It's true" she insist
ed. you show it. You don't even
know the real me.'
Beauty may be only skin dis
ease" Bob laughed, "but ugliness goes
clear to the BONE"
II married you for your money, and
you married me because seemed
physically perfect my face
and my body reused fires in you. /
think we are both pretty rotten at
heart, don't your"
mo. Anyhow, don't care to think
about 1t. never won anything by
thinking. Kiss me again"
She ignored his demand, with her
shadowy smile. II deliberately traded
VA 10y AoVnS, put AuyScll up luz a
price, and you paid that price regard.
less of every thing except your desires.
We mnddled things dreadfully and got
our deserts. didn't love you, don't
love YOU now any more than you love
me: but think we're coming to re.
spect each other, and that Is a begin.
ming. You have longings to be some
thing different and better; so have I.
Let's try together / have 1t in me to
succeed. but I'm not sure about you"
"Thanks for the good cheer"
you're afraid you can't make liv.
ing for us-I know you can. I'm mere.
ly afraid you won't"
What do you mean?" he asked.
II don't believe the liquor will let
you
Nonsense. Any man can cut down.
Cutting down won't do for us.
Bob" He thrilled anew at her init