The midland journal., 1917-08-10

do the square thing. I'll step aside and
give you another chance, if you say
So"
During this little declaration Lorelei
had watched him keenly; she appeared
to be seriously weighing his offer.
"T was getting pretty tired Of
| things" he added, "and 1 s'pose I'd
have wound up in the D. T. parlors Of
some highly exclusive institution or be-
hind a bathroom door with a gas tube
in my teeth. Butt met you, and you
went to my head. wanted you worse
than I ever wanted anything-worse
even than ever wanted liquor. And
now have you. I've had you for one
day, and that's something l suppose
| it's silly to talk about starting over
| I don't want to reform If don't have
| to; moderation strikes me as an awful
cold proposition; but it looks as if re-
I'm just an album of expensive habits,
and-we're broke. Maybe could-do
something with myself if you took
hand. It's a good deal to ask of a
girl like you, but''-he regarded her
timidly, then averted his eyes-''if you
cared to try it we might make it go
for while. And you might get to care
for me little-if improve" Again
he paused hopefully. 1--WE been as
honest as know how. Now, won't you
| be the same?"
Lorelei reused herself, and spoke
with quiet decision.
'I'll go through to the end, Bob"
Bob started and uttered an inarticu-
late word or two; in his face was
light of gladness that went to the
girls heart. His name had risen free
ly to her lips; he felt as If she had laid
her hand in his with a declaration of
absolute trust.
"You mean thatT"
She nodded.
| He took her in his arms and kissed
her gently; then, feeling her warm
against his breast, he burst the bonds
that had restrained him up to this mo-
ment and covered her face, her neck,
her hair with passionate caresses. For
the first time since his delirium of the
night before he abandoned himself to
the hunger her beauty excited, and she
offered him no resistance.
At last she freed herself, and,
Strengthening the disorder of her hair,
smiled at him mistily.
"Wait. Please"
"Beautifulr' His eyes were aflame
'You're my wife. Nothing can change
that"
Nothing except-yourself. Now, you
must listen to me-" She forced him re-
luctantly into his chair and seated her.
kissed her once more, then seized her
hand and held it. At intervals he
crushed his lips into it's pink palm.
"We must start honestly" she began.
"Do you mind if hurt your"
"You can't hurt me so long as you
don't-leave me. Your eyes have haunt
ed me every night. I've seen the curve
Of your neck-your lips. No woman
was ever so perfect, so maddening."
always that. You're not husband
at this moment you're only man."
He frOwned slightly.
"That's what makes this whole mat
ter so difficult" she went on. Don't
you see"
He shook his head.
"You don't love me, you're drunk
with-something altogether different
to love. It's true" she insist
ed. "You show it. You don't even
know the real me-"
"Beauty may be only a skin dis
ease," Bob laughed, "but ugliness goes
clear to the bone"
81 married you for your money, and
physically perfect-because my face
and my body reused fires in you.
think we are both pretty rotten at
heart, don't your"
"No. Anyhow, don't care to think
about it. 1 never won anything by
thinking. Kiss me again."
She ignored his demand, with her
shadowy smile. ~ deliberately traded
on my looks; put myself up for a
price, and you paid that price regard
less of everything except your desires.
We muddIed things dreadfully and got
our deserts. didn't love you, don't
love you now any more than you love
me; but think we're coming to re-
spect each other, and that is a begin
ming. You have longings to be some
thing different and better; so have 1.
Let's try together. have it in me to
succeed, but I'm not sure about you"
"Thanks for the good cheer"
you're afraid you can't make liv-
ing for us-I know you can. I'm mere
ly afraid you won't"
What do you mean?" he asked.
81 don't believe the liquor will let
you.'
Nonsense. Any man can cut down."
"'Cutting down won't do for us.
Bob" He thrilled anew at her init
mate use of his name. "The chemistry
of your body demands the stuff-you