The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-01-25
CHAPTER xxv-contInued.

number OF people whom he liked and
to whom he was inspired to show his
liking. and, strange to say, the more
he drank the more Of such friends he
discovered. BY late afternoon he was
In a fantastically jubilant mood, and,
seizing Kurtz, he bore him across the |
way to Delmonico's.
Now, Kurtz was worldly aud there |
fore tolerant. He had grown to like |
and to understand his young associate |
very well indeed, and something about |
Bob's rlotous disposition to gladness |
awoke a response in the little tailor.
1t was that expansive and expensive |
hour of the afternoon when business
worries are dropped and before social
cares are shouldered. 1t was cocktail
time along the avenue, the hour when
sprees are born and engagements bro
ken, and as II heightened Wharton cele-
brated 1t as in days gone by. His
last regret had vanished; he was hav-
ing a splendid time. when page called
him to telephone booth.
Adoree's voice greeted him; she was
speaking from his own home, and her
first words almost sobered him. Some
thing was wrong; Bob was needed
quickly; Lorelei was asking for him.
For more than an hour they bad been
vainly trying to locate him. They had
succeeded in reaching the doctor. and
he was there-with a nurse. Adoree's
voice broke-Lorelei was frightened
and so was the speaker. Bob had bet
ter waste no time.
When Bob lurched out OF the booth
he was white; the noisy group he had
left rose in alarm at sight Of his
stricken face. His legs led him a
crooked course out OF the cafe, bring
ing him into collision with chairs and
tables and causing him to realize for
the first time how far he had allowed
himself to go. In a shaking voice he
called for a taxicab, meanwhile allow
ing the raw air Of the street to cool
his head.
The terror of the unknown was upon
him. But regrets were unavailing
Something had gone wrong, and Lore
lei needed him. She was calling for
him and he was drunk. He would reel
up to her bed of pain with bleared eyes,
with poisoned lips. How could he kiss
herr How could he explainf
The cab swung into the curb, and
he scrambled out, then stumbled blind
ly up the steps and into the building
where he lived.
Adoree met him at his own door.
wharton's impression was vague; he
saw little more than the tragic widen
ing of the girls eyes as she recognized
his condition.
"Am l as bad as thatf" he STAN
mered. "Do you hink she'll notice it?'
"Oh. BobF' Adoree cried, In strick-
en- voice. "How could you-at this
timer
''You said she wanted me. couldn't
take time"
"Yesl She has been calling for you
but I'm sorry / found you"
A silent-footed figure in a nurses
uniform emerged from the dining room
and her first expression Of relief a
sight of Bob changed swiftly to stare
of startled wonderment. Bob was no
too drunk to read the half-spoken pro
test on her lips. Then he heard hi
wife calling him, and realized tina
somehow she knew of his coming. A
the sound of her voice, strangel!
throaty and hoarse from pain, tn
strength ran out Of his body. TIT
doctor heard him fumbllng at the bed
room door and admitted him: then
low, aching cry of disappointment
sounded, and Adoree Demorest bowe'
her head upon her arms.
When Bob groped his way back int
the living room his look was ghastly
his face was damp; his eyes were de'
perate.
"She sent me away" he whispered
"Poor thingw He WINGED at ADD
ree's tone. God! / heard her whe
she saw you. / wonder II you rea
Ize-
"Oh, yes" he nodded, slowly.
don't get drunk all over, like most mel
I'm afraid I'll never forget that cry
He was trembling. and his terror wa
90 pitiful that Adoree laid compa
sionate hand upon his shoulder.
.!Don't let go, Bob. Hold yo'
thoughts steady and sober up. "
must all help"
Darkness found Bob huddled In b
chair, fighting for his senses, but
the liquor died in him terrible fanci
came to life. frightened maid begi
preparations for his dinner. but
ordered her away. Then yhen 81
brought him a tray. anger at q
thought that his own comfort shou
be considered OF consequence maj
him refuse to touch 1t.
At length his inactivity became u
pearable, and, feeling the despera
need of sane counsel, he telephon
linn Merkle. Bob was too deeply al
tated to more than note the banker
,tatnmant that Mr. and Mrs. Hannlt