The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-12-28
AnthOr of
" Tile Iron Trail"
"7He Spoilers"
"We Si/vsr Horde" Etc.

salary talk" he said. shortly. "Dyou
think I'd let you-support me7 Dyou
think I'm that kind OF a nosegayf
When get so | can't pay the bills IN
walk out. Tomorrow you quit work.
and we move 10 the Ritz--they know
me there, and--this delightful home
like grotto OF yours gives me the colly-
wnbbles."
"who will pay the hotelr' Lorelc;
smiled.
'Mr. George w bridegroom, OF
course. I'll get the money. never fear
| know everybody. and I've borrowed
thousands OF dollars when didn't
need II. My rooms at the Charlevoix
are full OF expensive junk; I'll sell It.
and that win help. As soon as we're
decently settled I'll look for salarled
Job. Then watch my smoke. To
quote from the press OF few months
hence: The meteoric rise OF Robert
Wtsrton has startled the financial
world. surprising as II does the sensa-
tional success OF his father. Young
Mr.. Wharton was seen yesterday at bis
Wall street office and took time from
his many duties to modestly assure our
representative that his ability was In
herited, and merely illustrates anew
the maxim that "a chip OF the old block
Will return after many days. That
will please dad. He'll relent when I
attribute my success to him"
"You must quit drinking before you
begin work." said Lorelei.
81 have quit"
With person Of such resilient tenn
peramentr one who gamboled through
life like a fawn, argument was diff
cult. Bob Wharton was pagan In his
Joyous inconsequence; his romping
spirits could not be damped; he bub-
bled with the optimism OF a Robin
Goodfellow. Ahead Of him he saw
nothing but dancing sunshine, heard
nothing but the Pandean pipes. The
girl-wife watched him curiously.
~ wonder II you can" she unused.
Before we begin our new life we're
going to make bargain, binding on
both of us. You'll have to stop drink
ing. won't live with a drunkard. IN
work until you've mastered the crav-
ing"
NOR Bob declared, firmly. "I'll
take the river before I'll let you-keep
me. Why, II L"
Lorelei rose and laid her hand over
his lips, saying quietly:
"Pm planning our happiness. don't
you understand? and it's big stake.
You must pocket your pride for a
while. Nobody will know. We've made
botch Of things so far. and there is
only one way for Us TO win out"
"A man who'd let his wife"
"a man who wouldn't let his wife
have her way at first is brute"
"You shouldn't ask It," he cried, sui
lenly.
II don't ask 1t: insist upon It. II
you refuse we can't go on"
Surely you don't mean thatT He
looked up at her with grave. troubled
eyes.
II do. I'm entirely In earnest. You
haven't strength to go out among your
friends and restrain yourself. No man
as far gone as you could do It."
"Ive a simpler way than that" he
told her. after moments thought.
There are institutions where they
straighten fellows up. I'll go to one Of
those"
mo" She rejected this suggestion
positively. ''They only relieve; they
don't cure. The appetite comes back.
fa I'M tat 40
self, once and for all. You must fight
this ort In secret; this city is no place
for men with appetltes they can't cop-
troll. DO this for me, Bob. and-and
I'll let you do anything after that. I'll
let you-beat me-" Getting no re-
sponse from him. she added gravely,
'It is that or-nothing."
"I can't let you CO." Bob said finally.
Good! Wen keep this apartment
and I'll go on working"
He hid his face In his hands and
groaned. Gee! I'm a rotter."
"You can sell your belongings at the
Charlevoix. and wen use the money.
Wen need everything, for can't piece
out my salary the way I've been doing
There can't be any more supper parties
and gifts"
81 should hope not" he growled. an
murder the first man who speaks to
you"
"Then 1t is a real. binding bargain7"
at ls-if you'll bind 1t with another
kiss" he agreed, with miserable at
tempt at cheerfulness. "But | sha'n't
look myself In the face"
For the first time she came to him
willingly.
doesn't II seem nice to be honest
with yourself and the world?" she
sighed, after a time.
"Yes." he laughed. "T'm sorry to
cut the governor adrift. but he'll have
to get along without our help"
Despite his jocularity he was deeply
moved. As the situation grew clearer
to him he saw that this girl was about
TO change the whole current OF his care
less life; her unexpected frmness, her
gentle, womanly determination at this