Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-08-03

alter their system of living. But it
WAS In the girl that the changes
showed most When Mrs. Knight had
forecast an immediate success for her
daughter she had spoken with the Wis
dom of Cassantira. Moreover she
took naturally to the work, finding it
more like play; and. being quite free
from yirlish tinidity she felt no stage
fright. even upon her first appearance
Her recognition had followed quickly
II was impossible to hide such perfec-
ton Of lovelness as hers-and the
publicity pleased her. In due course
rival managers began to make offers,
which Mrs Knight. rising nobly to the
first test of her business ability used
as levers to raise her daughters salary
aud to pry out OF Bergman hve-year
contract. Tie role of tile Fairy Prin-
cess WAS a result.
I.Orelei had arrived at the point
where further advancement depended
upon study and hard work: but. since
these formed no part of The family
program. she remained idle. Prof.
cheney in stngecrAft of any sort comes
only at the expense of peonnge. and
this girl WAS being groomed solely for
matrimOny.
With the support OF the family en-
tir-ly upon her shoulders she had been
driven to many shifts in order to
stretch her salary To livnble propor-
li"ns. Peter was Il total burden, and
Jim either refused or was unable to
contribute toward the common fund.
while the mother devoted her time al
most solely to managing I.orelei's af
fairs. Presents We're showered upon
the girl. and these Mrs Knight con-
verified Into cash. Conspicuous stage
characters are always welcome at the
prominent cafes: hence Lorelei never
had to pay for food or drink when
alone. and when escorted she received
commission on the money spent She
was we'll paid for posing: advertise
ments Of toilet articles. face creams
dentlrrices. yielded something. In the
commercial exploitation of her daugh-
ter Mrs. Knight developed something
like genius. But OF all the so-called
''gra fits" open to handsome girls in her
DuSIAS'SS IilShCSl dItt )csl ICluiIlS
came from prodigal entertainers like
Jarvis Harmon
AS l.orelei and her companion left
their taxicabs and entered l'roctor's
lotel. shortly before midnight they
were met by !; head waiter and shown
into an ornate ivory-and-god elevator.
which lifted them noiselessly to an up-
per floor They made their exit Into
Typographical hall. at the end of which
two splendid creatures in the panoply
of German field marshalS stood guard
over one Of the smaller banquet rooms.
Harmon himself greeted the girls
when they had surrendered their
wraps. and. after his introduction to
Lorelei. engaged f.llas in earnest con-
yersaron
Loreei watched him curiously Sha
saw powerfully built gray haired
man. whose vigor age had not i'm
paired. In face he was perhaps fifty
years old In body he WIS much less.
He had Il bold. incisive manner that
was compelling and stamped him as a
big ulan IN more ways lhan ole. Play
fully he pinrhed I.ii,s cheek, then
turned with :, smile to say:
You'll pardon us for whispering,
won't YOU. Miss Knight: You see Lii
las got up this little party. aud I've
| been waiting 10 consult her about some
Of the details. Awfuilr good OF you to
come. | hope you'll fiu-i aiF friends
agreeable and enjoy yourself
Perhaps tweAty Mru in evening
dress ana as nGAf elatorately .owned
+, young women We're aosSiping and
smoking Ms the last corners appeared.
Someone raised rigorous complaint
at the hosts hardness but Hammon
laughed 4 rejeinder then gave a sig
nal, whereupon folding doors at the
end Of the room We're thrown back. and
those nearest the banquet hall moved
toward it.
Harmon was introducing two Of hts
srtsads-ous . !saSutd, middls-agsd