Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-06-26

wife until yestcrday--untll Bob and
had an understanding. I've had sns-
piclon that my old ideas were wrong,
and they were"
"FHldlc-dc-dee You're hysterical.
You can't make me believe you learned
to love tha, man."
81 don't say | love him"
Mrs Knight snorted her triumph
loudly. "Tlen you mustn't live with
him another moment My dear child,
such n relationship is-well, think 1t
out for Yourself"
Lorelci saw the futilty Of argument,
but certain thoughts demanded express
sion, and she voiced them, as much for
! her own sake as for her mothers. "Tve
learned that marriage is more than
considered ii, mother It's an obliga-
ton. intend to live up to my part
just as long as Bob lives mp to his. II
! he complained OF the fraud we prac-
| ticed on him I'd be willing to leave
him; but he doesn't--so the matter Is
out Of our hands,"
Mrs. Knight relieved her steadily in
creasing anger by a harsh outburst.
! 81 never thought You could be so
silly, after the way you were raised.
! Didn't we give up everything for you?
/ Didn't Peter sacrifice his life's work to
give you an opportunity?"
.I'n keep on sharing my salary with
you"
! "Salary.v Mrs Knight spat ont the
word After all our pains. Salarye
You're probably just as honest in
| your IDEAS rs | am in nine" I.oreei
told her. II sha'n't allow you to want
! for"
II should hope not. since you're to
blame for Peters condition On. you
know you are! If you hadn't wanted
career he'd still be in Vale, a strong,
healthy man instead Of cripple"
al didn't want a career" Lorelei de-
MED with heat. "And father almost
hid TO leave Vale"
"Nothng of the sort He was big
man there Had to leave Vale eh? So
you've turned against your own blood
and disparage your father Anyhow
he was hurt while he was working to
give YOU start, and now he's help
loss. Ten thousand dollars right now
would save his life. Think that over
when your own father is dead and
gone"
White with anger, sick with disap-
nointment Mrs. Knight whisked her
self out of the apartment.
Strangely enough, the news of Boil
Wharton's marriage had not leaked in.
to the papers up to this time, and Lore
lei, having regard for the feelings OF
his parents, insisted that he help her &c
keep the matter secret as long as pos
sible. Bob rebelled at first. for HI
adored publicity. re reioiced in his
newest exploit and desired his world
to hear of it, while the prospect OF
further notifying his father was sc
agreeable that it required much persua
sion to make him rellnqush it. Will
her own family Lorelei had less diff
Guilty, for they were by no mean,
eager to advertise their bad bargain
and had withdrawn behind q stiff re
straint, leaving the couple to their owl
devices. This attitude spared the brd,
much unpleasant notoriety, enablln.
her to pursue her work at the theate
without comment.
Bob's society proved In some ways {
welcome change from the sordid drab
ness Of her own relatives, for he wa,
colorful, versatile, and nearly always
good humored. Misfortune aroused II
him q wild hilarity; cares excited
mlrth. Lorclei realized before lon.
that this very iocundity Of his, since I
fed upon constant change and excite
mcnt, constituted the gravest menac,
to their happiness The man lived on
tirely outside of himself; he utterl,
lacked the power Of reimbursement
He refused to frequent the theater os
tensbly because of their secret, II
reality because Of his shame at allow
Ing her to work AS Lorelei came t,
know him better and to understand tn
conflicting forces within him, she be
gan to wonder how long he could hol,
himself true to his bargain.
During the first week of their mar
ried life his system struggled to throw
Off the effects OF his recent dissipa
tlonN and in consequence II crave'
only rest. Greatly encouraged by thi
: lack Of desire. he boosted that the bat
tie was already won, and Lorelel pre-