The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-01-04
CHAPTER xlx-contlnued.
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er-in-law. When he and Jim had gone
Mrs. Knight addressed Lorelei with
motherly candOr.
Hes a pleasant fellow. OF course,
and he's crazy about you; but don't
let's be sentimental. If there's no
chance to make 1t up with his family
we must get out OF this mess and save
what we can"
"Was Mr.. Wharton very angry"
"Was he?" Mrs. Knight rolled her
eyes in mingled rage and despair. "Tm
positiyely sick over the things he said
Everybody seems TO be against us. and
Pm almost ready to give up But at
least that old crank will surely stretch
his offer to keep his name Off the bill
boards. Fifteen or twenty thousand IL
better than" Noting the shadow of a
amile upon her daughters lips. she
checked her rush of words. "You don't |
eeem TO care what"
al don't"
Mrs. Knights face twisted into an |
expression of panied incredulity. |
"surely you don't mean to live with
Bob?" she gasped. "Not-now."
81 do mean to-"
The mothers lips parted, closed,
parted again-she seemed to taste
something unspeakably bitter. MY
dearl Why, my dear! He hasn't
cent. It's absurd The marriage was
only a form. You're no more his wife
in the sight OF God than"
Lets not talk about God" cried
Lorelel "1hat ceremony was scarce
ly legal not to speak of religion or
decency."
you've lost your mind! You've
changed completely"
Eyes, l have. You see. l wasn't
wife until yesterday-until Bob and ]
had an understanding. I've had sus-
picion that my old ideas were wrong.
and they were.'
"Fiddie-de-dee! You're hysterical.
You can't make me believe you learned
to love that man."
81 don't say love him"
Mrs. Knight snorted her triumph
loudly. "Then you mustn't live with
him another moment. My dear child,
such relationship is-well, think 1t
out for yourself"
Lorelei saw the futility of argument,
but certain thoughts demanded express
sion, and she voiced them, as much for
her own sake as for her mothers. "Ive
learned that marriage is more than
considered II, mother. It's an obllga-
ton. / intend TO live up to my part
Just as long as Bob lives up 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 harsh outburst.
"I never thought you could be so
silly, after the way you were raised.
Didn't we give mp everything for you?
Didn't Peter sacrifice his life's' work to
give you an opportunity
'Ill keep on sharing my salary with
you"
"Salaryw Mrs. Knight spat out the
word. after all our pains! Salary
you're probably just as honest In
your ideas as am In mine" Lorelei
told her. "I sha'n't allow you to want
for"
81 should hope not since you're to
blame for Peters condition oh, you
know you arel II you hadn't wanted
career he'd still be in Vale, strong
healthy man instead of n cripple"
81 didn't want career" Lorelei de
MED with heat. "And father almost
had to leave Vale"
"Nothing OF the sort. He was bil
man there. Had TO leave Vale eh? Sc
you've turned against your own blood
and disparage your father Anyhow
he was hurt while he was working tC
give you start, and now he's help
less. Ten thousand dollars right now
would save his life. Think that over
when your own father is dead ant
gone"
White with anger, sick with disap
pointment. Mrs. Knight whisked her
self out of the apartment.
Strangely enough the news of Bol
wharton's marriage had not leaked in
to the papers up to this time, and Lore
lei, having regard for the feelings o
his parents, insisted that he help her t
keep the matter secret as long as pos
slble. Bob rebelled at first, for h.
adored publicity. He rejoiced in hi
newest exploit and desired his worl'
to hear of II, while the prospect o
further mortifying his father was 3
agreeable that 1t required much persua
sion to make him rellnqulsh It. Wit
her own family Lorelei had less diff
Guilty, for they were by no mean
eager to advertise their bad bargai
and had withdrawn behind stiff re
straint, leaving the couple TO their owI
devices. This attitude spared the brid
much unpleasant notorlety. enablin
her TO pursue her work at the theate
without comment.
Bob's society proved in some ways
welcome chnnRe from the sordld drat
ness ef her own relatives. for he wa