The Arvada enterprise., 1917-02-22


turn to Manhattan. Up the deserted
avenues the vehicle sped, while inside
the white-faced bride covered with fin
gers locked and heart sick with dread.
CHAPTER XIV.
Hitchy Koo had gone home. When
Lilas ushered her friends in and
snapped on the lights, the apartment,
save for the delirious spaniel, was I'M
occupied. She flung down her hat,
coat and gloves, then, with the help
of Jim, prepared glasses and cooler.
Lorclei was restless; the thought of
more wine more ribaldry. revOlted her,
and yet she was grateful for this delay,
brief though 1t promised to be. Any
interruption, trivial or tragic, would
be welcome. She was forced to pledge
her own happiness in glass, then In
wild moment Of desperation longed
to deadcn herself with liquor as the
others had done.
Jim and Lilas were talking loudly
when key grated in the lock, the
door Of the little apartment opened,
and Jarvis Hammon paused on the
threshold, gowering.
Lilas' wineglass shattered upon the
floor.
Jarvis! You frightened me-" she
cried.
Evening, Mr.. Hammon." Bob
lurched to his feet, upsetting his chair.
This is a s'prise."
Jim had risen likewise, but Ham.
mon had eyes for no one except Lilas.
"Ah! You're home again, finally.
Where have you been?" he demanded,
in n voice heavy with anger. His
hostile tone. his threatening attitude
brought an uncomfortable silence
upon the hearers.
Now, Jarvis" said the bridegroom,
placatingly, steadying himself mean
while with the aid OF the table, "don't
be crouch. Everythlng's all right"
Lilas remained motionless, staring
defantly. Her face had slowly whit
ened, and now its unpleasantness
matched that Of her elderly admirer.
Hammon dropped his smodering gaze
to the half-empty glasses, then raised
It, scowling at Jim.
"Humph! Who is-ths?"
LIlas made her guest known. "Mr.
Knight Mr.. Harmon. I believe you
know Miss Knight"
$50 you're the one" Harmon
showed his teeth in sardonic smile.
I'm the one what?" inquired Jim,
with n sickly attempt at pleasantly.
sWhpf innS Sha In IN
mon measured the young man with
contemptuous curiosity.
Don't be an ass, Jarvis" began
Lilas. q"
She was interrupted roughly. That's
precisely what don't intend to be; and
| don't Intend that Bob shall be one,
either He turned to young Whar-
ton. what are you doing here, my
boy? I'm sorry to see you with these
Grafters." Hammon indicated Jim
and Lorelel with n nod.
'Eh? What's that?" Bob stIfrened.
"lorcleFs my wife. s true. Jarvis"
"WifeF" Harmon took heavy step
forward. "Wlfe? You're drunk, Bob."
''P'r'aps. But we're mar"
''' iou iaHucu MIN, ulu your
Harmon glared at the brother and
sister. "iou got him drunk and mar.
r!cd him. eh? And LIlas helped you,
suppose. Fine! They're crooks,
Bob. and they've made n fool of you"
Bob checked the speech on Lorelci's
lips with an upralsed hand then said
slowly, with n painful effort to sober
himself: We've been good friends,
jarvis; you're u kind OF an uncle to
me, but-you're n liar. You've lied
bout my wife. SO I s'posc I've got to
Hex you" With n backward kick he
sent his overturned chair flying. then
made for lInmmon. But Jim seized
him by the arm: Lorelei sprang In
front OF him.
"Mr. Whar-Bob." she cried. "You
mustn't-for my sake" The three
scuiilcd for an Instant until unmmou
said, more quietly:
Il couldn't fight with you, Bob
you're Ike my own son. But you've
been sold out, and-and It looks as IL
I'd been sold out. too. Now 90 hom.
and sleep. | didn't come here TO ounr.
rel with you; ! have matter of nv
own to settle" He laid n hand on
Bob's shosldcr In an effort 10 pnclfy
him, but the young mans Indignation
Haired Into lie with drunken persist.
encc. II was Lorcle! who nt lnst prc.
vailed upon her husband to lcav.
ponccnbly, and she was nbout to nc.
company him when L'lns Lynn checked
her.