The Arvada enterprise., 1917-02-22
Il know what I'm doing, all night, all

"a man never speaks his mind un-
til he's ginned," Lilas glggIed
"Righto. I'm not half drunk yet"
Jim urged the suitor on with q nerv-
GUS laugh, at the same time avoiding
his sisters eyes. "She's stalllng, Bob.
Make her answer"
"Yes or no?" forcefully insisted the
wooer, determined, now, to show his
complete sobrlety.
"No."
Jim seized Whartons hand and
shook 1t Justify. "Congra tula tons.
old man; that means yes. I'm her
brother, and know. Why. she told
father that you were her ideal, and pa
said he'd die happy II you two were
married. He meant 1t, too; he's a
mighty sick man"
Lorelei stirred uncomfortably, and
the faint color in her cheeks faded
slowly. We'll talk about 1t some
other time-tomorrow. Please don't
tease the poor man any more. He
didn't know what he was saying and
how, for heavens sake, talk about
something else"
Jim leaped to his feet with a grin
and chuckle, then drew Lllas from
her chair, saying: "The lovers are en-
barrassed. and they're dying to be
alone. Let's leave 'em to talk 1t over"
"She's a dear, Bob, and I wish you
both joy. But don't kiss her here"
said Lilas, warningly; then. with n
| nj hnr hand ha IN oil nrJ
the dancing room with jim.
Call us when you've fixed the date"
laughed the latter over his shoulder
When he and Lilas had danced the
encore and returned to the table Bob
rose unsteadily. glass in hand, and
nodded at them.
Thanks, noble comrades" he pro
| claimed: "shc's miner
''Hurrah!" Lilas kissed Lorclei cf-
| fusively. Jim seized Bob's kand. cry
ing:
"Brotherw He waved to waiter
and ordered magnum of champagne.
Bring me n wreath Of orange BIOS
SONS and wedding cake, too" His
| jubilatiOn attracted the attention of
nearby table began to applaud, where
| upon Bob beamcd with delight.
Lorelei was very white now. She
had decided swiftly. recklessly reason
ing that this proffercd marriage was
merely bargain by which she got
more than she gave. She had accepted
without allowing her better self an
] % ,InI
and, having closed her eyes and leaped
into the dark, It now seemed easier to
meet new consequences than to heed
those higher feelings that We're tardily
struggling for expression. She did
pity Wharton, however, for it seemed
to her that he was the Injured party.
But she was in n wanton mood tonigk.t,
and of late u voice had been despe-
rately urging her to grasp at what she
could. that she might. as long as pos
sible delay her descaut into worse con-
ditions.
She heard Lilas inquiring: when
does the marriage come of? Right
away?"
Bob, who appeared somewhat dazed
ness Of his good fortune, smiled va
cantly. "Any time suits me-" he said.
"I'm n happy man-lttle Joys are ca
pering all over the place, and old Doc
tor Gloom has packed his grip"
Jim startled them all by saying.
crlsply: Lets make 1t tonight.
know Bob-he's not the sort to wait"
Nnynr 81 hot
I say-where do they keep these we'd
dings" he inquired. "Evcrythlng's
closed now, and there's nobody dane
ing at the city hall, is there?" He ap-
pcaled helplcssly to Jim.
Jim rose to the occasion with the
same prompttude he had displayed
throughout Marriages aren't made
In heaven any more-that's old stuff.
They're made in Hobokcn, while the
cab waits. Get your things on, every
body. while | telephone" He allowed
no lettering; he waved the girls away.
sent the walter scurrylng with his bill.
helped Robert secure hat and stick.
as woodchuck enters its hole. When
he had disposed his three charges in
side taxIcab he disappeared briefly.
TO return with basket OF champagne
upon his arm. 1t is wise general
who provides himself In advance with
ammunition.
The smooth cclcrity with which this
whole adventure ran It's course argued
thorough preparation on James part.
but Iorelci was In no condition TO an
alyze. Even Mt the journeys end there
was a suspicious lack OF delay. The
vehicle stopped In narrow business
street. now dark and dismal; Its occu-
pants were hurried up stairway and
into n room filed with law-books,
where n sleepy Justice OF the peace
was nodding In cloud OF cigar smoke.
There followed noisy shu,'lIng OF
chairs. some mumhlcd questions and
answers. the cracklc OF papers. n deal
OF unlnts!llgIblc rIgmnrolc, then
mans heavy scal.rlng was slipped
upon LorcleI's finger. and she knew
herself TO be Mrs. Robert Wharton,