The Arvada enterprise., 1917-03-22

amiss; but she could not make up her
mind to 20 to bed. She tried to read
and failed. An hour passed, then an
other: thousand apprehenslons
crowded in upon her.
Bob, when he did arrive. entered
with elaborate caution. He paused In
the little hall. then tossed his hat into
the living room, where his wife was
waiting. After moment his head
came slowly into view, and he said:
"When the hat stays in, 90 in: when
| it comes out, beat it"
Lorelci saw that he was quite drunk
II just came from the thcater," he
explained, but 1t was dark Has the
| show failed. dearie?" He tried to kiss
| her. but she turned her face away.
Come! Must have my little kiss" he
| insisted as she rose and moved away,
leaving him swayins In his tracks.
Studying Lorelei's unsmiling face
his tone altered. ooh, know! I
| slipped, but it couldn't be helped. Ma
ture insisted. and yielded gracefully;
| but no harm done. none whatever
| Life is a series of compromises. Mod
GRAFTON Is the thing. Live and let live"
Lorclei nodded. Exactly! We shall
live as we choose, only, OF course. we
can't live together after this" Then
| her disgust burst its control and she
! demanded, bitterly. Haven't you any
strength whatever? Haven't you any
| balance, Bob?"
He grnned at her chcerfully. 81
should say had. walkcd'a fence on
| the way home Just to prove 1t: and
scarcely wabblcd. Balance. Strength.
| Why. you ought to see jim. They had
to carry him"
Jim? Was-Jim with you:"
''ln spirit, yes: in body-Only for
time. For brief while we went Gayly.
hand in hand, then Jim Jagged. He's a
nice boy. but weak: he falters beneath
load"
She questioned him searchlngly and
soon learned of Jim's visits, OF the
flask, OF the pool games. When she
| understood It all her eyes were glow
ing, but she found nothing to say. At
last she got Bob to bed, then lay
down beside him and stared into the
darkness through many wakeful hours.
In the morning he was not only con-
trite. but badly frightened, yet when
he undertook to make his peace he
found her unexpectedly mild.
az you're sorry. that's all ask" she
said Il changed my mind during the
n;ght."
"Ncvcr again" he promised. feeling
~. 81 thought had cured myself"
Lorelci smiled at him family.
"Cured. 1t took ten years to work the
damage-it will probably take ten
years TO repair It."
Bob was aghast. Good heavens! In
zen years I'll be too old to drink-Id
trcmble so that I'd spill 1t. But where
did you get this dope;"
1--WE been reading I've been talk.
Ing TO a doctor, too. You see. wanted
TO help"
Lets change doctors. Ten years'
1t can't be done"
"l'm afraid you're right. There's no
such thing ms reformation. II you're
born alcoholic you'll probably die n
drunkard. I'm hoping that you didn't
inherit the taste"
'Wcll, whether 1t was left 10 me or
whether bought It, can't go dry for
ten years"
Then our bargain IL ended"
He looked up sharply. "Oh no. II
isn't"
yes"
He extended shaking hand. and his
voice was supplicating ns he said: 81
can't get along without you. kid. Your.
a part OF mc-the vital part. I'd 20 to
pieces quick II you quit now"
when We made our agreement I
meant 10 live up 10 every bit Of It."
Lorcel told him. gently. but we're 60.
Ing TO try again, FOR this was inns
fault"
'Jim? Jim was sorry for me. lie
tried TO cheer"
Lorcicl's smile was bitter. "JIm was
never sorry Tor anybody except him.
self My family hate you just as your
family hate me. and they'd Ike TO sep.
arntc us"
"Say. that's pretty rotten" Bob cy.
claimed. "It he weren't your brother
I'd"
LorclcI laughed mlrth'cssly. "Go
ahead. wish you would. 1t might
clear the atmosphere"
"Thcn will" After n moment he
continued. II suppose you feel you
must go on supporting ,hcmT"
"Of course"
"JuSt M yon feel you must support
me. IL Il entirely duty IN my cnscT"
Seeing her hcsItaw, he Insisted. "Isn',
there any love at allY"
I'm afraid not. Bob"
The man poudcrcd silently. IL snp.
pose II were tho right sort" he said.
at length. with some d.illcuIty. IRA lot
you go under these circumstances
We'll. I'm not the right sort; I'm not
big or noble. II Bnrloycorn brothers
lick mo III SO under. But II 80 under
I'll take you with inc. ! won't give
you up. | WON'T
81 shn'n't let you pull mo down." she
told him. sobcriy.
when Bob reached the financial dis.