Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-11-09

9 " HHu tHt dpdI liICHI utStEltu. DIE
nibbled at lonely lunch, trying to as.
sure herself that nothing was seriously
amiss; but she could not make up her
mind to go to bed. She tried to read
and failed. An hour passed, then an.
other; thousand apprehensions
| crowded in upon her.
Bob when he did arrive, entered
with elaborate caution. He paused in
the little hall, then tossed his hat into
the living room, where his wife was
| waiting. After moment his head
came slowly into view, and he said:
"When the hat stays in, go in; when
| it comes out, beat it,"
Lorelei saw that he was quite drunk
II just came from the theater," he
explained, 'but 1t was dark. Has the
show failed. dearie?" He tried to kiss
her. but she turned her face away
Come! Must have my little kiss" he
insisted as she rose and moved away.
leaving him swaying In his tracks.
Studying Lorelei's unsmiling face
his tone altered. "Oh, | know! I
slipped. but it couldn't be helped. Ma
ture insisted, and I yielded gracefully
but no harm done, none whatever.
Life is series of compromises. Mod
GRAFTON is the thing. Live and let live"
Lorelei nodded. Exactly! We shall
live as we choose. only, of course. we
can't live together after this" Then
her disgust burst its control, and she
demanded, bitterly, Haven't you any
strength whatever? Haven't you any
balance, Bob?'
He grinned at her cheerfully. 81
should say had. | walked fence on
the way home just to prove it; and 7
scarcely wabbled. Balance! Strength!
Why, you ought to see Jim. They had
to carry him."
"Jim? Was-Jim with you?"
"In spirit, yes; in body-only for a
time. For brief while we went gayly.
hand in hand, then Jim Jagged. He's a
nice boy, but weak; he falters beneath
a load"
She questioned him searchingly and
soon learned Of Jim's visits, of the
flask, of the pool games. When she
understood it all her eyes were glow
ing, but she found nothing to say. At
last she got Bob to bed, then lay
down beside him and stared into the
darkness through many wakeful hours
In the morning he was not only con-
trite, but badly frightened, yet when
he undertook to make his peace he
fOuud bnr automatically mild
IF you're sorry, that's all ask" she
said. II changed my mind during the
night"
"Never again! he promised, feeling
ly. 81 thought ] had cured myself
Lorelei smiled at him family.
"Cured. 1t took ten years to work the
damage-it will probably take ten
years to repair it." ,.
Bob was aghast. "Good heavens! In
ten years I'll be too old to drink-Pd
tremble so that I'd spill it. But where
did you get this dopeY'
1--WE been reading. I've been talk
ing to doctor, too. You see, I wanted
to help"
Lets change doctors. Ten yearsl
1t can't be DONE"
I'm afraid you're right There's no
such thing as reformation. If you're
a born alcoholic you'll probably die
drunkard. Pm hoping that you didn't
inherit the taste"
well, whether 1t was left to me or
whether l bought it, can't go dry for
ten years."
Then our bargain Is ended"
He looked up sharply. "Oh no, 1t
isn'tw
Eyes"
He extended a shaking hand and his
voice was supplicating as he said: 81
can't get along without you. kid. You're
part of me-the vital part. I'd go to
pieces quick If you quit now"
when we made our agreement I
meant to live up to every bit of It,"
Lorelei told him, gently, "but we're go
ing to try again, for this was Jim's
fault"
"Jim? Jim was sorry for me. He
tried to cheer"
Loreleis smile was bitter. "Jim was
ACNCl SoilJ Luz any UOuy except HlID-
self. My family hate you just as your
family hate me, and they'd like to sep
arate u.s."
"say. that's pretty rottenw Bob ex-
claimed. "If he weren't your brother
I'd"
Lorelei laughed mirthlessly. "Go
ahead! | wish you would. 1t might
clear the atmosphere"
"Then will" After moment he
continued, Il suppose you feel you
must go on supporting themT
"Of course"
"Just as you feel you must support
me. Is it entirely duty in my case?"
Seeing her hesitate, he insisted, "Isn't
there any love at all?"
I'm afraid not, Bob"
The man pondered silently. II sup
pose if I We're the right Sort" he said,
at length, with some difficulty, I'D let
you go under these circumstances
Well, I'm not the right sort: I'm not
big or noble IF Rarleycorn hrothars