Meade County news., 1917-01-18
CHAPTER xIx-continued.

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. II 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 angryT
"Was heT 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 pained incredulity.
"Surely you don't mean to live with
Bob?" she gasped. "Not-now."
I do mean to-
The mothers lips parted, closed,
parted again-she seemed to taste
something unspeakably bitter. my
dear! Why, my dear! He hasn't a
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
Lorelei. "That ceremony was scarce
ly legal, not to speak Of religion or
decency."
you've lost your mind! You've
changed completely"
Eyes, have. You see, wasn't
wife until yesterday-until Bob and I
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."
II don't say I 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. "Tve
learned that marriage is more than |
considered 1t, mother. It's an obliga-
ton. l 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 doesnt-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 mp 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"
"Salaryw Mrs. Knight spat out the
word. "After all our pains! Salary"
you're probably just as honest in
your ideas as l am in mine," Lorelei
told her. II sha'n't allow you to want
for"
II should hope not, since you're to
blame for Peters condition Oh, you
know you are! If you hadn't wanted
a career he'd still be in Vale, strong,
healthy man instead Of a cripple"
~ 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 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. hnlgnt Wnlsked ner-
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
sible. Bob rebelled at first, for he
adored publicity. He rejoiced In his
newest exploit and desired his world
to hear of 1t, while the prospect Of
further mortifying his father was so
agreeable that 1t required much persua-
sion to make him relinquish 1t. 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 a stir re-
straint, leaving the couple to their own
devices. This attitude spared the bride
much unDleasant notorlety, enabling
her to pntsue her work at the theater
without comment.
Bob'A society proved in some ways
welcsMe change from the sordld drab
ness ~ her own relatives, for he was
color ful. versatile, and nearly always
gond humorad. Misfortune aroused In
hiu. V.yi1~ haIaritv 1area avoItad