The midland journal., 1917-08-31

over, now that they had expressed their
dislike and disapproval of each other,
they no longer quarreled. Pope was
frankly admiring, and Adoree could
not conceal her awe at Campbells lit
erary and musical ability. She ex-
planned to Lorelei: II asked him in for
the sake of the piano. knew you
were blue, and there's nothing SO cheer
ing as music"
But when Pope finally got around to
play, the result was not altogether
happy. Adoree, to be sure, seemed de-
lighted, but Lorelei felt herself gripped
by a greater loneliness than usual.
Pope's music was far from lively, and
he had cunningly chosen the hour when
it exerts its greatest emotional appeal.
He was artist enough, moreover, to
work his effects with certainty.
Lorelei sought relief at length in the
seclusion of Adoree's rear room, and
there, in the midst of 'crying spell"
Bob found her.
Her first quick resentment at the de-
ception practiced upon her melted at
sight Of him, for he had suffered, and
he was evidently suffering now. He
was not the Bob she had known, but
chastened, repentant, speechless with
tremulous delight at seeing her again.
In the next room Campbell played on,
smoothing. the way for reconcilia ton.
Lorelei found herself in her hus-
bands arms, listening dazedly to his
passionate protestations and his ear
nest self-denunciation. Bob had re-
ceived the fright Of his life, his lesson
had been scared into him, and he lost
no time in telling his wife about it..
At last Lorelci laid her fingers upon
his lips, her eyes misty and luminous
with the light Of new and wondrous
certainty.
"Wait! Let me speak," she said.
'I've done a lifetime Of thinking in
these few days. I'm not sorry that l
left you, for it has enabled me to see
clearly. But I'll never leave you again,
Bob, no matter what you do; can't"
He crushed her to him, then held her
away at the hint Of something unsaid.
you mean you've begun to love me?"
he inquired, gladly.
Perhaps. I don't know. Some
thing has changed-tremendously."
Under his bewildered gaze the blood
rose, warming her cheeks; her eyes
swan, but not with tears; her bosom
was tremulous with the knowledge
that clamored for freedom, and yet re-
fused to come.
Don't you understand, stupid?" she
said, seeing him still mystified. She
hid her face, then whispered in his
ear, whereupon he fell to trembling
and the fervor Of his embrace relaxed.
He held her gently, tenderly, as If he
suddenly found her to be fragile
thing.
"My dear!-my-dearw And then
he, too, hid his face as If blinded by a
pitiless light. When he raised it tears
glistened on his lashes, and happiness
that was like pain pierced him. "Oh!
If had only known" he choked.
what a fool I've been, never to think
that this might come! I-can't believe
it,"
"It's true" she smiled, and her
cheeks were still dyed with that vir-
ginal flush. Perhaps that's why I've
changed toward you-something has
happened, Bob, and you mustn't leave
me now. couldn't bear to do with
out you"
"You may forgive me-" he cried, "but
I'll never forgive myself. To think that
I should learn of this right now-after
what l did Well, I'm through making
new promises; I'm going to keep some
of the old ones"
ST think it's about time we both
came to EARTH"
"No need for you-you're the SEN
sible one If 1 can't straighten up on
my own account and on yours, surely
1 can and will for-this."
An hour later Adoree tiptoed back to
the piano after a surreptitious peek
into the back room, whence nothing
but the faintest murmurs issued. Her
face was radiant.
''You played some high-priced d.
vorce lawyer out of good case, Mr..
Cricket" she beamed on Campbell.
"She's in his lap" Pope's ripping fin
gers paused, his hands dropped, and
he sighed.
II could have set them quarreling
just as well, but the role Of cupid suits
me tonight" His shoulders dropped
wearily; the feverish brightness of his
eyes and the pallor of his thin face
indicated that he had indeed spent all
his nervous force.
'Cupid in a sweater" Adoree ex-
claimed. "Well, 1 believe 1t, for your
playing made me positively mushy.
I've been hugging sofa cushion and
dreaming of heroes for ever so long.
Why, at this moment I'd marry the
janitor."
With the eager shyness of boy. he
inquired: "Do you really like to hear