The midland journal., 1917-08-17
CHAPTER xIx-continued.
p

in company with his redoubtable broth
er-in-law. When he and Jim had gone
Mrs. Knight addressed Lorelei with
motherly candor.
"He's q pleasant fellow, Of course,
and he's crazy about you; but don't
let's be sentimental. If there's no
chance to make it up with his family
we must get out of this mess and save
what we can"
"Was Mr.. Wharton very angryw
"Was he?" Mrs. Knight rolled her
eyes in mingled rage and despair. "I'm
positively sick over the things he said.
Everybody seems to be against US. and
I'm 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 is
better than" Noting the shadow of
smile upon her daughters lips, she
checked her rush of words. "You don't
seem to care what"
81 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."
ST do mean to-"
The mothers lips parted, closed,
parted again-she seemed to taste
~ something unspeakably bitter "My
Sdear! Why, my dear! He hasn't
cent. It's absurd. The marriage was
only form. You're no more his wife
In the sight of God than"
Lets not talk about God" cried
~
ly legal, not to speak of religion or
decency."
you've lost your mind! You've
changed completely"
Eyes, have. You see, wasn't a
wife until yesterday-until Bob and !
had an understanding. I've had sus-
picion that my old ideas were wrong.
and they were"
"Fiddle-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 it
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. 'I've
learned that marriage is more than
considered it, mother. It's an obliga-
ton. intend to live up to my part
just as long as Bob lives up to his. If
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.
81 never thought you could be so
silly, after the way you were raised.
Didn't we give up everything for you?
Didn't Peter sacrifice his life's work to
give you an opportunity?"
"I'll keep on sharing my salary with
you"
'Salary!" Mrs. Knight spat out the
=. word. "After all our pains! Salary!'
you're probably just as honest in
your ideas as I am in mine," Lorelei
told her. 81 sha'n't allow you to want
for"
ST should hope not, since you're to
L
know you are! If you hadn't wanted
a career he'd still be in Vale, strong.
healthy man instead of cripple"
81 didn't want a career" Lorelei de-
MED with heat. "And father almost
had to leave Vale"
Nothing of the sort. He was big
man there. Had to leave Vale eh? So
you've turned against your own blood
and disparage your father Anyhow,
he was hurt while he was working to
give you a 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 and
gone"
White with anger, sick with disap-
pointment, Mrs. Knight whisked her
self out Of the apartment.
Strangely enough, the news of Bob
Wharton's marriage had not leaked in
to the papers up to this time, and Lore
lei, having regard for the feelings Of
his parents, insisted that he help her to
keep the matter secret as long as pos
sibIe. Bob rebelled at first, for he
adored publicity. He rejoiced in his
newest exploit and desired his world
to hear of it. while the prospect of
further mortifying his father was so
agreeable that it required much persua-
sion to make him relinquish it. With
her own family Lorelei had less diff
Guilty. for they were by no means
eager to advertise their bad bargain
and had withdrawn behind stiff re-
- straint, leaving the couple to their own
devices. This attitude spared the bride
much unpleasant notoriety. enabling
her to pursue her work at the theater
without comment
Bob's society proved in some ways
welcome change from the sordid drab-