Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-06-12
CHAPTER XIV.

Hitchy koo had gone home. When
Lilas ushered her friends in and
snapped on the. lights, the apartment,
save for the delirious spaniel, was I'M
occupied. She flung down her hat,
coat and gloves. then, with the help
Vt Jim, prepared glasses and a cooler.
Lorelei was restless: the thought Of
more wine. more ribaldry revolted her,
and yet she was grateful for this delay,
brief though it promised to be. Any
interruption. trivial or tragic. would
be welcome. She was forced to pledge
her own happiness in glass, then in
a wild moment of desperation longed
to deaden herself with liquor as the
Others had done.
jim and Iilas were talking loudly
when key grated in the lock, the
door Of the little apartment opened,
and Jarvis Harmon paused on the
threshold, glowering.
Lilas' wineglass shattered upon the
floor.
Jarvis. You frightened me-" she
cried.
Evening, Mr.. Harmon" Bob
lurched to his feet, upsetting his chair.
"Tliis is a s'prise."
Jim had risen likewise, but Ham
mon had eyes for no one except Lilas
"Ah! You're home again. finally.
Where have you been?" he demanded.
in a voice heavy with anger. His
hostile tone, his threatening attitude
brought an uncomfortable silence
upon the hearers.
Nov, Jarvis" said the bridegroom,
placatngly, steadying himself mean
while with the aid of the table, don't
be crouch. Everything's all right"
lilas remained motioness. staring
defantly, Her face had slowly whit
ened, and now its unpleasantness
matched that of her elderly admirer.
Harmon dropped his smoldering gaze
TO the half-empty glasses, then raised
it. scowling at Jim
"IIumph. Who is-ths"
Lilas made her guest known. "Mr.
Knight, Mr.. Harmon. | believe you
know Miss Knight"
so you're the one" Harmon
showed his teeth in a sardonic smile
I'm the one what?' inquired jim,
with sickly attempt at pleasantly.
What does she see in you?" Ham
mon measured the young man with
contemptuous curiosity.
Don't be an ass, Jarvis" began
Lias. q"
She was interrupted roughly. "That's
precisely what don't intend to be; and
| don't intend that Bob shall be one.
either He turned to young Whar-
ton. "What are you doing here, my
boy? I'm sorry to see you with these
grafters.' Harmon indicated Jim
and Lorelei with nod.
"Eh? What's that?' Bob stiffened.
"Lorcleis my wife. . true, Jarvis"
Wife" Harmon took a heavy step
forward. .Wlfe? You're drunk, Bob"
"P'r'aps But were mar"
$50. You landed him. did you?"
Harmon glared at the brother and
sister. you got him drunk and mar
ried him, eli? And Lilas helped. you.
| suppose Fine! They're crooks,
Bob, and they've made a fool of you"
Bob checked the speech on I.oreleis
lips with an appraised hand, then said
slowly, with a painful effort to sober
himself. We've been good friends
Jarvis; you're a kind Of an uncle to
me, but---you're liar. You've lied
bout my wife. so spose I've got to
lick you" With a backward kick he
sent his overturned chair flying. then
made for Harmon. But jim seized
him by the arm: Loreel sprang in
front Of him.
MIR. Whar--Bob." she cried. "You
mustn't--for my sake" The three
for an instant until Harmon
SAID, more quietly:
Il couldn't fight with you. Bob
you're Ike my own son. But you've
been sold out, and--and It looks as IL |
Ia been sold out. too. Now go home
md sleep. didn't come here to quar-
rel with you; | have a matter of my
own to SETTLE" He laid hand on
Bob's shoulder In an effort TO pncify
him, but the young mans indignation
iared Into life with drunken persist
'nce. 1t Was Lorelel who at last pra-
Vailed upon her Husband IN leova |