The Arvada enterprise., 1917-04-12


} mostly matter Of temperament, after
all. But he is doing splendidly, and
; some day perhaps"
They nodded understa ndingly.
you'll try to like us, won't you, TO,
Bob's sake?' pleaded the old lady,
timidly.
II intend to love you both very dear
~" shyly returned the girl, and, noting
the light in Lorelei's face, Bob Whar-
ton was satisfied.
Restraint vanished swiftly under the
old couples evident determination to
make amends. but after they had gone
Lorelei became so pensive that Bob
said, anxiously, Il hone you weren't
polite to them merely tor my sake"
Lorelei shook her head. mo. WAS
only thinking Do you realize that
none OF my own people have been to
see me? That haven't had a single
word from any Of them?"
Bob stirred uncomfortably; he start
ed to speak. then checked himself az
she went on, not without some effort:
I'm going to say something unpeas-
ant, but think you ought to know It,
When they learn that your parents
have taken me In and made up with US
they're going to ask me for money. It's
terrible thing to say, but it's true"
DO you want to see them? Do you
| want them to see the baby?"
"N-no" Loreei was pale as she
made answer. Not after all that has
| passed"
Bob heaved a grateful sigh. I'm
glad. They won't trouble you any
| more"
"Why? What"
"Tve been waiting until you were
strong to tell you. I've noticed how
their silence hurt you, butts my
fault that they haven't been here. I
sent them away"
You sent them away?"
Yes. l fixed them with money and
they're happy at last. There's consid.
cradle to tell. Jim got into trouble
with the police and finally sent for me.
He told me everything and-it wasn't
pretty; I'd rather not repeat all he said,
but it opened my eyes and showed me
why they brought you here, how they
put you on the auction block, and how
they cried for bids. He told me things
you know nothing about and could
never guess. When he had finished
thanked God that they had flung you
into my arms instead of-some other
mans. It's a miracle that you weren't
sacrificed utterly"
where Is Jim now?"
Somewhere in the boundless West.
he gave me his promise to REFORM
He never will"
"Of course not, and l don't expect II
OF him. You see, know how hard II
is to REFORM
But mother and father?"
''I'm coming to them. My dad came
around the day after our baby was
born and shook hands. He wanted t6
stamp right in here and tell you what
fool he had made Of himself, but !
wouldn't stand for II. Finally, when
he saw the kid. he blew up entirely.
and right away proposed breaking
ground for n Jasper palace for the
youngster He wanted to build it in
Pittsburgh where he could run in, 20
Ing to and from business. Mother was
just as foolish, too. Well, when had
had my little understanding with Jim
and learned the whole truth about your
people l realized that no matter where
we went they would be constant t.
menace to our happiness unless they
were provided for. 1t struck me that
you had made game fight for happi.
ness, and l couldn't stand for any.
In 70 NAu a.,
went to mother and told her the facts,
and she seemed to understand as well
as l how you must feel In spite Of all
they had done, so we shook down the
governor for an endowment"
Bob! What do you mean?" Lorelei
faltered In bewilderment.
1--WE asked him for hundred thou.
sand dollars and got it."
Lorelei gaspcd.
He beloved like bull, he spat
poison like cobra. he writhed like
bucket OF cells. but we put 1t over"
"a hundred thousand dollars" whIs.
percd the wife.
ITO penny. And It's in the bank to
your credit. But didn't stop there"
''' ~ WIN Ihlttlltu. went 10 your
mother ana in your name | promised
her the Income from 1t so long, and
only so long. ms she and Peter stayed
away from you. She accepted-rnther
greedily, l thought-and they have
gone back 10 Vale. They have your
old house. and have their promise
never to see you except upon your invl-
taton. OF course you can go to them
whenever you wish. but-thcy'rs
happy. and | think we will be happier
with them In Vale than In New York.
hope you don't object to my arrange
ment."
There was n long silence, then Lore
lei sighed. you are very good man.
Bob. 1t was my dream to do some
thing OF this sort, but could never
have done II so we'll"
Her husband bent and kissed her
tenderly. ut wasn't all my do!ngs:I
had help. And you mustn't feel sad,