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About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 1916)
THE SEMI.WEEKLY TRIBUNE, NORTH PLATTE. NEBRASKA, 1 A Novel of New York life ACH By REX EE , CHAPTER XIX Continued. 12 Bob acquiesced, glad (o escape uvea In company with IiIh rcdoubtnblo broth-er-Icv-Jaw. When he and Jim hurt gone Mi. Knight addressed Lorelei with motherly candor. "lie's a pleasant follow, of course, nnd he's crazy about you; but don't let's bo sentimental. If there's no chance to make It up with his family -wo must get out of thlu mess nnd snvo what wo can." "Was Mr. Wharton very nngry?" "Was ho?" Mrs. Knight rolled her eyes In mingled rago and despair. "I'm positively sick over the things he said. Everybody seems to bo against us. nnd I'm almost ready to givo up. Dut at Jeast that old crank will surely stretch his offer to keep his namo off the bill boards. Fifteen or twenty thousand lw better than" Noting tho nhadow of n smile upon her daughter's lips, she checked Iter rush of words. "You don't Bccm to euro what" "I don't." Mrs. Knight's face twisted Into an expression of pained Incredulity. "Surely you don't mean to Hvo with JJob?" sho gasped. "Not now." " "llo moan to." The mother's Hps parted, closed, parted again sho seemed to taste somcthjng unspeakably bitter. "My dear! Why, my dcarl IIo haHn't n cent. It's nbsurd. Tho marrlago was only a form. You're no moro 1i1b wlfo in tho Bight of God than" "Let's not talk about God," cried tLorelcl. "That ceremony was scarce ly legal, not to speak of religion or decency." "You'vo lost your mind! You've banged completely," "Yob, I have. You see, I wasn't a wlfo until yesterday until Hob nnd I had an understanding. I'vo had n sus picion that my old Ideas wero wrong, nnd thoy were." "Piddlo-de-deel You'ro hysterical. You can't roako mo bollovo you learned t loyo that man." "I don't flay I lovo him." Mrs, Knight snorted her triumph loudly. "Then you mustn't llvo with him another moment My dear child, fluch a relationship is well, think it out for yoursolf." Lorelei saw tho futility of argument but certain thoughts demanded oxpros Hlon, and sho voiced them, as much for her OAvn soko ns for her mother's. "I'vo learned that marrlago Is moro than I considered It, mother. It's an obliga tion. I intend to llvo up to my part just as long as Bob lives up to his. If ho complained of tho fraud wo prac ticed on hi in I'd bo wilting to leavo him; but ho doesn't bo tho matter Is out of our hands." Mrs. Knight relieved her steadily' in creasing anger by n harsh outburst "I never thought you could bo so silly, nftor tho way you wero raised. Dldnli wo give up everything for you? Didn't Peter Bacrlflco his life's work to givo you tin opportunity?" "I'll keep on sharing my salary with jrou." "ealaryl" Mrs. Knight spat out tho word. "After nil our palnsl Salary!" "You're probably just as honest In your Ideas as I am in mlno," Lorelei told her. "I sba'n't allow you to wont for" "I should hope not, slnco you'ro to blame for Petor'B condition Oh, you Jkftow you are! If you hadn't wanted a career ho'd still bo in Vale, a strong, liwaithy man Instead of a cripple." "I didn't want n career," Lorelei de-'-nled with heat. "And father almost pwd to leave Vale." I "Nothing of tho sort ITo waa a big fwan there. 'Had to leavo Vnlo,' eh? So you'vo turned against your own blood, and disparage your fnthor Anyhow, ho was hurt wbllo ho was working to givo you a start, and now he's holp lesn. Ten thousand dollars right now would save his life. Think that over, when your own father Is dead and Kftno." i Whlto wltli anger, sick with dump pointment, Mrs, Knight whisked her- a fit out of tho apartment. ' Strangely enough, tho nowH of Bob Wharton's marrlago had not leaked In te tho pnpors up to this time, and Lore WM, having regard for tho feelings of Us parents, Insisted that ho holp hor to keen the matter secret os long as nos- keep the matter secret as long as pos flblo. Bob rebelled at first, for ho dored publicity. Ho rejoiced In his newest exploit nnd desired his world to hear of it, whllo tho prospect of further mortifying his father was so rfgrceablo that it required much porsua Ion to make 1dm, relinquish It. With feor owu family Lorclql had less dllll culty, for they wero by nn means eaeer to advertise their bad bargain and. had withdrawn behind a stiff ro trsint. leaving tho couple to their own ievlccs. This nttltudo spared tho bride much unpleasant notoriety, cunbllng tier to pursue hor work at tho theater Without comment Bob's Bociety proved In some ways a welcome chango from tho sordid drab ness of her own rolatlvcs, for ho was colorful, versatile, and nearly nlwnys good humored. Misfortune aroused In tiini n wild hilarity; cares excited mirth. Lorelei realised beforo long MiMt this very iocundlty of his. since fed upon constnut chungo and oxclte- Mat, constituted tno gravest Menace to their happiness. The man lived en tirely outside of himself; ho utterly lacked tho power of self-amusement IIo refused to frequent the theater, os tensibly because of their Hccrct, lu reality because of his shamo at allow ing her to work. As Lorelei camo to know him better nnd to understand tho conflicting forces within him, sho be gan to wonder how long ho could hold himself true to his bargain. During tho first week of their mar ried llfo his system struggled to throw off tho effects of his recent dissipa tions, and In consequence It craved only rest Greatly encouraged by this lack of desire, fio boasted that tho bat tlo was already won, and Lorelei pre tended to agree with him. She did not deceive herself, howover, and n brio' cxporlcnco convinced her that to bo merely a wlfo to one of Bob's vagrant disposition was not enough; thot In order to keep his new self nllvo sho muct nlso lw his sweet heart his chum, and his partner. If she failed In any orxi of theso roles dis aster was bound to follow. But to succeed in them all, Mien there was no love to strengthen her, was by no means easy. Always she felt n great omptincss, nnd n disappointment that hor llfo had been so crookedly fash ioned: sometimes sho even felt de graded, nnd wondered if sho wero do ing right, after all. In tho course of a fortnight Bob be gan to grow restless. Ono, evening when ho camo for her sho saw that he was nervous; a strained, tired look had crept Into his eyes, nnd sho thought sho understood. Nevertheless his splr- "Death Valley Has Nothing on This Place," Ho Mourned. its wero ebullient. When thoy reached home ho ushered her Into tho apart ment with a flourish, and Lorolcl wns nmazed to And their tahlo set with Btrnngo linen, silver nnd china and tho dlulng room decorated as If for a party. "Who's coming? What on earth?" sho exclaimed. "A little surprise. A supper for Just you and nie, my dear." It was ono of his whims. During tho meal ho mado elaborate speeches in tho names of his friend. Ills Imaginary guests congratulated him: lu empty glasses thoy toasted the bride, thoy extolled hor beauty, they praised his own gallantry. nnd vnunteu ms conquest ut tho demon rum, But when an traces of tho feast had disappeared ho swooped down out of tho clouds ami confessed miserably: "I thought I could kid myself, but I can't I want a drink. I want a drlnkl God! how I wiult itl" Lorolcl wont swiftly to him. "Tho light Is Just beginning, Bob. You'ro doing nobly," "It Isn't thirst," ho explained, nnd UL' Bnw that same strained uneasiness "Is MsM eye. "!' ot thirsty Vm Bnky lWo. I fiot tired of fight- lug." Lorelei uodded sympathotically. "Thnt's why it's so hard to reform: one's conscience tiros, but temptation Is always fresh. You must keep busy," "I'm going to work," "No, no! Not yet," Bho cried, quick ly. "You must light it out whero I can holp." Bob smiled gratefully. "You're thoroughbred. I promised to let you have your way, and you shall. Even If wo loso tho patient It will bo a d-ndy operation," For tho first tlmo Hi her llfo Lorelei really worked, and worked not for hor self, but for another. Although tho experience was tutercstlng in its nov elty, tho result remained unsntlsfuc tory, for not only did lovo fall to rt spoud to theso sacrifices, but sho. could soo no Improvement lu Bob's condition mo tiling bho fought was impalpable, It yot enormous: It was weak, yet strong Ut sccnied to sleep, yet it was ever wuku. Of necessity tho two lived In tho , closest intimacy, than which nothing is ordinarily moro fatal to domestic hap piness. But Bob was unique; he did not tire; ho began to rely upon Lorelei ns n sick man leans upon his nurse, nnd to worship her as n man worships his Bweetheart. There was moro than passion in his endearments now. But it was discouraging to Uio girl, who gained no strength from her pen- auco nnd derived no satisfaction what ever In service for scrvlco's sake. Tho whole arrangement tried hor patience desperately; sho wns weary In mind and body, and looked back with regret upon her former easy life. There was no tlmo now for recreation Bob had to bo amused. Salary day nssumcd a new importance, and sho begau to count the cost of every purchase. So spring went nnd midsummer came. It was terribly hot In tho city; tho nights were breathless, the days ! wero glaring, and this heat was espe cially trying to ono In Bob's condition. In his periods of gnycty he showered his wlfo with attentions nnd squan dered every dollar ho could borrow in presents for her; In his hours of depres sion ho wns everything strange, morose nnd Irritable. Without her knowledge ho npplled to his old firm for a salaried position nnd wns refused. IIo appealed to Merkle with tho samo result, but succeeded In borrowing n thousand dollars, with which ho bought Lorelei n set of black opals, going Into debt for half tho price. i CHAPTER XX. Lorelei's family continued to smart under a sense of bitter Injustice, but although they kept aloof they wero by no means uninterested In her experi ment On tho contrary, they watched It with dcrlslvo enjoyment', predicting certain failure. After Hannibal Whnr- ton's insult Jim wns nil for a prompt revenge, but ho could not determine Just how to use his dangerous knowl- edge to tho best advantage. Ho con sldcrcd tho ndvlsnblllty of enlisting tho aid of Max Molchcr; but, not liking the thought of dividing tho loot, ho decided provisionally to engineer n separation between Bob and Lorelei. Ills deslro to make mischief aroso in only a Blight degreo from resentment Jim's method of making n living had long slhco dulled tho edgo of feeling it was merely tho first step In a com prehensive scheme. With Bob nnd Lorolcl estranged, a dlvorco would fol low, nnd divorces -wero profitable. A divorce, moreover, would open tho way for u second inroad upon the Wharton wealth, for -with Lorelei's skirts clear Jim could proceed with n larger scheme of extortion, based on the Haminon murder. Ono evening after Lorelei had gone to the theater Jim nppenred at tho apartment nnd found Bob In a mood so restless nnd lrrltablo that ho dared not go out "I had n hunch you wero lonesome,' thq cnllor began, "so I camo up to whit- tlo and spit at tho stove. Now Jin could bo agrcenblo when ho chose; his' parasitic llfo had devel- oped In Mm a ccrtnln worldly good' fellowship; bo wns frnnkly unrcgener- ate, nnd ho had sufllclcnt tact never to pologlzo nor to cxplatn. Therefore ho kept Bob entertained. A few nights Jatcr ho returned -with n fund of new stories, nnd during the evening ho confessed to a consuming thirst "Death -vnlley lins nothing on this place." ho mourned. Bob explained apologetically, "I'm sorry, but there's nothing In tho house wetter thnn Croton water." I understand I Will you object if I sweeten n glass of it with somo Scot' tlsh rites? I'm afraid of germs, nnd If water rots leather think what it must do to tho sensitive lining of a human stomach?" Jim drew a llask from his pocket, then hesitated as If In doubt "Don't mind me," Bob assured him, hastily. "I'm strapped in the driver's seat." But ho looked on with eager appreciation as bis brother-in-law filled n long glass nnd sipped it Bob had never been n whlsky-drlnk- er, yet tho faint odor of the liquor tan tallied him. When in tho courso of time ho saw Jim preparing n second drink ho stirred. "Kind of itchy, eh? Let's whip across tho street nnd hnvo n game of pool," suggested Jim; nnd Bob was glad to escape from the room. An ngroeablo hour followed; but Bob played badly, nnd fouud that his eye had lost Its surcuess. Ills hand was uncertain, too, and this lack of co-or dination disgusted him. no was mire that with u steadying drink he could boat Jim, and eventually ho proved It; but, mindful of his resolution, ho com promised on beer, -which, Jim ugreed, could not reasonably bo called an In toxicant. On ills way to tho theater Bob chewed cinnamon bark, and when ho kissed Lorelei ho held his breath. This was tho first of several pool matches, nnd after a whllo Bob was gratified to find that beer in modera tion loft no dlsagreenblo effect what' ever upon him. IIo rejoiced in his power of rcstralut. Thero came a night when he failed to meet his wife. After waiting nearly half nn hour Lorelei went home, only to find the apartment deserted. Sho nibbled at n lonely lunch, trying to ns- sure herself thnt nothing was seriously nmlss; but she could not make up her mind to go to bed. She tried to. rend. nnd failed. An hour passed, then an other: a thousand apprehensions crowded in upon her. Bob, when ho did arrive, entered with elaborate caution. He paused in tho llttlo hall, then tossed his hat Into tho living room, whero his wlfo wns wnltlng. After a moment his head came slowly Into view, nnd he Bald: "When the hat stnys In, go In; when it comes out, bent it" Lorelei saw Hint be was quite drunk. "I Just came from tho tbeater," ho explained, "but it wns dark, nas the show failed, dearie?" Ho tried to kiss her, but sho turned her face away, "Come! Must have my little kiss," ho insisted ns sho rose nnd moved awny, leaving him swaying In his tracks. Studying Lorelei's unsmiling face his tone nltered. "Oh, I know! I slipped, but it couldn't bo helped. Nn turo Insisted, nnd I, yielded gracefully; but no harm done, none whatever. Life is a scries of compromises. Mod eration is the thing. Llvo nnd let live." Lorelei nodded. "Exnctly! We shall llvo as we choose, only, of course, wo can't llvo together nfter this." Then her disgust burst its control, nnd sho demnnded, bitterly, "Haven't yon any strength whntover? Haven't you any balance, Bob?" He grinned at her cheerfully. "I should say I had. I walked n fence on the way homo just to prove It: nnd I scarcely wabbled. Balance! Strength! Why, you ought to see Jim. They and to carry him." "Jim? Wns Jim with you?" "In spirit, yes; In body only for a time. For n brief while wo wont gnyly. hand In hand, then Jim lagged. He's a ulco boy, but weak; ho falters beneath a load." Sho questioned him scnrchlngly and soon learned of Jim's vblts, of the llask, of tho pool games. When sho understood It nil her eyes wero glow ing, but: she found nothing to sny. At last she got Bob to bed, then lay down besldo him nnd stared Into tho darkness through many wakeful hours. In tho morning he was not only con trite, but badly frightened, yet when ho undertook to mako his peace ho found her unexpectedly mild. "If you're sorry, that's all I ask," she said. "I changed my mind during tho night." "Never again!' ho promised, feeling ly. "I thought I had cured myself." Lorelei smiled at him faintly. "Cured! It took ten years to work tho damage it will probably take ten years to repair it" Bob was aghast "Good heavensl in ten years I'll be too old to drink I'd tromblo so that I'd spill It. But whero did you get this dope?" "I've been reading. I'vo been talk ing to a doctor, too. You sec, I wanted to help." "Let's chnngo doctors. Ten years! It can't be done." "I'm nfrald you'ro right. There's no such thing ns reformation. If you'ro a born alcoholic you'll probably dlo n drunkard. I'm hoping that you didn't inherit tho taste." "Well, whether it was left to mo or whether I bought It, I can't go dry for ten years." "Then our bargain is ended." no looked up sharply. "Oh no, it Isn't!" "Yes." He extended a shaking hand, and his toIco -was supplicating as ho said: "I can't got nlong without you, kid. You're a purt of me tlie 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'ro go lug to try again, for this was Jim's fault" "Jim? Jim wns sorry for me. no tried to cheer" Lorelei's smllo was bitter. "Jim wa never sorry for nnybody except him solf. My family hate yon Just as your family hato me, nnd they'd like to sep arnte us." "Say, that's pretty rotten!" Bob ex claimed. "If ho -weren't your brother I'd" Lorelei laughed mirthlessly. "Go nhead! I wish you would. It might clear tho utmosphere." "Then I will." After n moment ho continued, "I Biipposo you feel you must go on supporting tliom?" "Of courso." "Just as you feel you must support mo. Is It entirely duty In ray enso?" Seeing her hesitate, ho Insisted, "Isn't thero any love at all?" "I'm afraid not, Bob." The man pondered silently, "I sup pose if I wero tho right s6rt," ho said, at length, with somo difficulty, "I'd let you go under these circumstances. Well, I'm not tho right sort; I'm not big or noble, If Barleycorn brothers lick me I'll go uuder. But if I go under I'll take you with roe. I won't givo you up. I won'tt" "I slm'n't let you pull mo down." sho told him. soberly. When Bob reached tho flnauclai dis trict next day nnd resumed bis quest for work he wns ablazo with resent ment nt himself nnd nt tho world lu general. He took up tho search with n dogged determination that was quite unlike him. One nfter another he canvassed his friends for a position, nnd finally, ns if ill fortune could not withstand his fervor, ho was successful. It was not much of n Job that was offered him, but ho snapped nt It, nnd returned homo thnt evening in the best of humor. Already the serious Issues of tho morning were but,n memory; ho burst lu upon Lorelei like n gale, shouting: "I'm chalk-boy at Crosset & Meyers, so you can give Bergman your notice tonight" "What's tho salary?" "It Isn't a salary; It's a humiliation twenty-five n week is tho total Insult" "Why, Bob! That won't keep two nnd tho family " "Tho family!" He quieted himself with nn effort "Well, you give your notice, anyhow. I'll spear tho coin for both establishments somehow. Come! I insist I want to be able to shavo myself without blushing." Lorelei's objections were not easily overcome, but at last, In view of the fact that tho summer run of tho Bevuo wns drawing to a closo and tho show would booh take to tho road, she al lowed herself to bo persuaded. Throughout tho next week Bob Wharton really tried to make good. Ho wns enthusiastic; the excitement of actual accomplishment was bo novel that ho hnd not time to think of liquor. When Saturday carte and he found himself In possession of honestly earned fnnds ho felt a soul-satisfying ease. He decided to Invest his llrst savings In a present for Lorelei, then a graver senso of responsibility seized him, and he sent them to Mrs. Knight Then he set out to find Jim. At Tony tho Barber's shop, In tho rear room, ho found his brother-in-law playing cards with n pop-eyed youth and n re pellent! person with a cauliflower car. Bob's greeting was hearty. "Eve ning, Jnmes," ho cried. "Feel like tak ing your beating here?" "Eh? What's the matter?" Jim rose from his chair with a shocked In tensity of gaze. "I've come to return your last call. Alas, James, I am n weak vessel 1 Your work was coarse, but I fell for It" To tho other occupants of tho room ho apologized. "I'm sorry to spoil your little gnme of authors, but necessity prods me." He extended n muscular band for Jim's collar and found it Mr. Armistcad was of tho emotlonnl kind; ho went to the rescue of his friend; but when Bob's fist burled It self In the spongy region of Mr. Arml- stead's belt bucklo that young man promptly lost all Interest in Jimmy Knight's affairs. He sat down heavily, desperately concerned with n straugo dlfQculty in breathing. Alert, aggressive, Bob turned to faco tho man with tho swollen ear; but young Sullivan, being n professional fighter, made no capital of amateur af fairs, and declined the Issue with an upraised palm. It was no difficult matter to chas- tlso Jim, whose spirit was as wretched as his strength; as the wind whips a "We Can't Afford io Antaaonlze the Whole Steel Truit." Hug, ns a man flaps a dusty garment, bo did Bob shake his victim. Jim strug gled, bo clawed, he kicked, ho yelled; his arna threshed loosely, like tlie Um ber oprcudoges to n stuffed figure. When Bob emerged from tho rear room ho fouud tho barber shop In con fusion. Tony was leading a charge, but ho fell back at sight of tho flushed victor, "It was nothing but n little family affair," Bob reassured him. "Now, If you please, I'll borrow n hairbrush." In trout of a mirror he tidied himself, nettled his scarf with a deft Jerk, then went out whistling. As It wns nearly closing time for the matinees, ho strolled toward tho Circuit theater, full of n satisfying contentment with tho world. Now that ho owed It nothing, ho resolved to moot bis future obliga tions as they nrose. Early on Monday morning Bob re ported for work, only torecelvc from Mr. Crosset, whom ho hnd always re garded as n wnrm friend, the notice of his discharge. "What's tho matter? Didn't I make good?" ho demanded. Crosset wns n young man; more than once he and Bob bad scandalized Broadway; some of their exploits wero epic. Now ho shrugged carelessly, say ing: "Oh, you mado good, I guess: but wo can't take a chance with you." "I suppose you're afraid I'll steal somo of your chalk. Now tell mo, how did you wet your feet, and whence comes the Icy draft?" "Well, from tho direction of Pitts burgh, If you must know. There's a can tied to you, and we can't afford to antagonize the whole steel trust" "I see. I'm afraid I'll havo to dis own that father of mlno." "What's the trouble, anyhow?" At Bob's cxplanntion Crosset whis tled. "Funny I didn't hear about it Married and happy, eh? Well, I'm sorry I can't help you " "You can. Lend me five hundred." "Certainly I" Crosset lunged at his desk, scribbled a lino to the cashier, and handed it to Bob, then, in response to a call from tho customers' room, dashed away with a hearty farewell. As Bob passed through the outer of fice he ran his eye over the opening 1 prices, being naif inclined to "scalp" with his sudden wealth; but luck had never run his way, and he reconsid ered. Anyhow, thero were more agree able uses to which ho could put this money; for one thing, he needed sev eral suits, for another, It wns high tlmo he gave Lorelei some little re membrance ho hadn't given her a present In nearly two weeks, and wom en set great store by such attentions. He decided to invest tho money in Maiden lane nnd demand credit from his tailor, But n half-hour at a jew elry shop convinced him that nothing suitable to so splendid n crcaturo as his wife could bo purchased for a pal try five hundred dollars, and he was upon the point of returning to Crosset with a request to double the loan when his common senso asserted itself. Pov erty was odious, but not shameful, ho reflected; ostentation, on the other hnnd, was vulgar. Would It not bo in bad tasto to squander this happy wind fall npon Jewelry when Lorelei need ed practical things? Bob was cheered by the .breadth of these sentiments; they showed that he was beginning soberly to realizo tho leaden responsibilities of a family man. No. Instead of a Jewel he would buy his -wife a dog. At a fashionable uptown kennel bo found exactly what he wanted, In tho shape of n Pekingese a playful, pedi greed pocket dog scarcely larger than his two fists. It was a creature to excite tho admiration of any woman; Its family tree was taller than that of a Spanish nobleman, and Its nnme was Ying. But here again Bob wns handi capped by poverty, for slecvo dogs are expensive novelties, and the price of Ying wns seven hundred dollars marked down from one thousand, and evidently tho bargain of ,a lifetime at that price. Bob hated to haggle, but ho shqwed that his ability to drive a sharp bar gain was merely latent, and ho finally bore the animal away in triumph. To outgeneral a dog fancier was a tribute to his shrewdness; to savo two hun dred dollars on a single purchaso was economy of n high order. Much elated, ho Bet out briskly for his. tailor's placo of business. CHAPTER XXI. It still lacked something of luncheon time when Bob Wharton swung into Fifth nvenue. Ho wns in flno fettle with the certainty of nn agreeable hour with his tailor. It was nlwnys a pleas uro to deal with Kurtz, for In his shop customers wero treated with tho most delicate consideration. Salesmen, cut ters, fitters, all wero pleasant acquaint ances. Kurtz himself was an artist; ho was nlso n person of generally cul tivated tasto and a man nbout town. His books wero open only to those he considered his equals. A ston-faced doorman kept watch and ward in tho Gothic hallway to discourage tho gen eral public from entering tho premi ses. Tho fact that Bob owed Beveral hundred dollars dismayed that young man not In the least, for Kurtz never mentioned money matters. (TO BE CONTINUED.) Wants to Know Why. Why Is it that n careless soven-ycar-old boy can drop u half-burned match In an nlley nnd burn up nil tho barns In tho block, whllo nn nbled-bodlcd mnn hus to use up a box of matches to get a wood fire started in u heater that lins drnft enough to draw nil tho furni ture up tho stovcplpo? Lebanon, Times.