The midland journal., 1917-08-17

There came a night when he failed
to meet his wife. After waiting nearly
half an hour Lorelei went home, only
to find the apartment deserted. She
nibbled at lonely lunch, trying to as
sure herself that nothing was seriously
amiss; but she could not make up her
mind to go to bed. She tried to read,
and failed. An hour passed, then an
other; thousand apprehensions
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 a moment his head
came slowly into view, and he said:
when the hat stays in, go in; when
it comes out, beat it,"
Lorelei saw that he was quite drunk.
81 just came from the theater," he
explained, "but it was dark Has Che
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 swaying in his tracks.
Studying Lorelers unsmiling face
his tone altered. "Oh, l know!
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"
Lorelei nodded. Exactly! We shall
live as we choose, only, of course, we
can't live together after this" Then
her disgust burst it's control, and she
demanded, bitterly, Haven't you any
strength whatever? Haven't you any
balance. Bob?"
He grinned at her cheerfully. "I
should say had. walked a fence on
the way home just to prove it; and
scarcely wabbled. Balance! Strength!
Why, you ought to see Jim. They had
to carry. him."
"Jim? Was-Jim with you"
''In 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
a load"
She questioned him searchingly 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.
'1f you're sorry, that's all ask" she
said. 81 changed my mind during the
night"
''Never againv he promised, feeling
ly. 81 thought had cured myself"
Lorelei 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
ten years I'll be too old to drink-Td
tremble so that I'd spill it. But where
did you get this dope"
"I've been reading I've been talk
ing to doctor, too. You see, I wanted
to help"
'Let's change doctors. Ten years!
1t can't be done"
''I'm afraid you're right. There's no
such thing as reformation. If you're
a born alcoholic you'll probably die
drunkard. I'm hoping that you didn't
inherit the taste"
"Well, whether it was left to me or
whether l bought it, can't go dry for
ten years."
''Then our bargain is ended"
He looked up sharply. "Oh no. it
isn'tw
"Yes."
He extended shaking hand, and his
voice was supplicating as he said; 81
can't get along without you, kid. You're
a part of me-the vital part. I'd go to
pieces quick if you quit now"
"When we made our agreement
meant to live up to every bit of it,
Lorelei told him, gently, "but we're 60
ing to try again, for this was Jim's
fault"
"Jim? Jim was sorry for me. He
tried to cheer"
Lorelei's smile was bitter. "Jim was
never sorry for anybody except him
self. My family hate you just as your
family hate me, and they'd like to sep
arate u.s."
''Say, that's pretty rotteny' Bob ex-
claimed "If he weren't your brother
I'd"
Lorelei laughed mirthlessly. $50
ahead! l wish you would. 1t might
clear the atmosphere"
''Then I will" After a moment he
continued, 81 suppose you feel you
must go on supporting them?"
"Of course"
"Just as you feel you must support
me. Is it entirely duty in my case?"
Seeing her hesitate, he insisted, isn't
there any love at all?"