The Arvada enterprise., 1917-04-12
CHAPTER XXV-Contlnued,

'N 'ih sti uGSle ilHll
against his first drink, but after he hat
taken 1t and after other drinks haC
gone the way of the first. he met q
number OF people whom he liked and
10 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 Enthusiastically Jubllant mood, and.
Ieizlng Kurtz, he bore him across the
way to Delmonico's.
Now. kurtZ was worldly and there
fore tolerant. He had grown to Ike
and to understand his young associate
very well indeed, and something about
Bob's riotous disposition to gladness
Awoke 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 shouldcred. 1t was cocktail
time along the avenue, the hour when
sprees are born and engagements bro
ken, and as 1t heightened Wharton cele-
bratcd 1t as In days gone by. His
last regret had vanished: he was hav-
him to a 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 had been
vainly trying to locate him. They had
ancp.nInI In, hn
he was herewith n nurse. Adorees
voice broke-Lorclci 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 n
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 n shaking voice he
called for 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 unavaiIng.
Something had gone wrong. and Lore
Vel needed him. She was calling for
him and he was drunk. He would reel
up to her bed OF pain with blcarcd eyes.
with poisoned lips. How could he kiss
her, How could he cxplainf
The cab swung into the curb. and
he scrambled out. then stumbled blind
ly up the steps and into the building
where he lived.
Adorec met him at his own door.
Warriors impression was vague: he
saw little more than the tragic widen
his condition.
Am ! ms bad ns thatf" he STAN.
mcrcd. 'Do you hink she'll notice y"
''Oh, Bob" Adorcc cried, In strick.
en- voice. How could you-at this
timer
You said she wanted me. couldn't
take time"
yes! She has been calling for you.
but I'm sorry found you"
A silcnt-footcd figure In nurses
and her first expression OF relief at
tight OF Bob changed swiftly TO stare
Of startled wondcrmcnt. Bob was not
too drunk TO read the half.spoken pro
test on her lips. Then he heard his
wife calling him, ana realized that
somehow she knew OF his coming. At
the sound OF her voice. strangely
to- q,
strength ran out OF his body. The
doctor heard him umhlIng at the bed
room door and admitted him: then
low, aching cry OF disappointment
sounded. and hdorcc Domorcst bowed
her head upon her arms.
When Bob Gropcd his way back into
the living room his look was CHASTITY;
his face was damp his eyes were dcs.
pcrate,
She sent me away" he whispered.
Poor thing" He WINGED at Ado
rrc's tone God! heard her when
she saw you. | wonder II you real.
izc-"
"Oh, yes" he nodded. slowly. 81
don't get drunk all over Ike most men.
I'm afraid III never forget that cry"
lie was trembling, and his terror was
so pitifuI that Adorcc laid compass.
Lonatc hand upon his shoulder.
Don't let 10, Bob. Hold your
thoughts steady and sober M. We
must al help"
Darkness found Bob huddlcd In his
chair, hghilug for his senses, but a.
the liquor died I'm him terrible fancics
came TO he \ frightened maid began
preparations Tor his dinner but he
ordered her away. Then when she
brought him tray, anger ut the
thought hat hIs own comfort should
be considered OF consequence mad"
him refuse 10 touch H.
a. length his inactivity bccAinc I'm.
hcHrublc, and. feeling the desperate
need OF sane counsel. he tclcphonci
John Mrrklc. Bob was too deeply agl.
tatcd TO more than note the bankers
statement that MIR. and Mrs, Hannibal
Wharton were In the city, but, recall.
Ing Il later, he experienced stab OF
regret that his mother wns not here to