Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-10-05

him now as the three made their way
| downstairs.
While Jim went in search of their
belongings, Bob propped himself
against the wall and regarded her adj
miringly through eyes that were filmed
and unfocusable.
FAIRY princess, you are more ador-
able every minute" he said, thickly.
''Yesi A thousand yeses. And I'm
your little friend, Ell? No more slaps,
no more mysterious exits, what?"
"That depends upon you"
"Pm behaving finely" he Wanted.
81 usually act much worse than I have
tonight, but I like you. / like you diff
ferently-understan Not like the
other girls. You're so beautiful Makes
me dizzy. You forgive my little joke
eh?"
"What joker
Meeting you the way did tonight.
Jim's nice boy-obliged to him."
81 see. Then it was all planned"
He nodded vehemently and nearly
lost his balance.
How much-did you pay him?" 10
relief queried, with difficulty.
Mr. Wharton waved his hand in a
magnificent gesture. whats money,
anyhow? Somebody's bound to get it,"
Fifty dollars"
He looked at her reproachfully.
''That's an insult to Jim-he's a bust
ness man, he is. More than that oh,
| yes, and I'll take care of him again
| this very night. I'll stake him. He
knows place."
"Will you do me favor?' she asked,
after a pause.
Wharton assured her with abnormal
emphasis that her lightest wish was
law.
"Then go straight home from here"
she pleaded.
II say, that's not fair" Bob looked
ludicrously shocked. 81 promised Jim
Wouldn't have me break sacred
promise, would you? We're expected
little game all arranged where we
can bust it quick. If you hear a loud
noise-that'll be Melcher going broke"
"Melcherl" Lorelei looked sharply
at her brother, who was approaching
with her wraps, and noted that he was
perfectly sober. A moment later she
checked Bob in the act Of giving di-
rections to the cab driver:
"Wait. Where do you live, Mr.
Wharton?'
"The Charlevoix." 1t was the most
expensive bachelor apartment building
in the city.
"Drive to the Charlevoix," she told
the chauffeur.
Hold on, SIS" cried Jim. "We're
going to take you home first"
mo"
But" Jim saw in his sisters face
something that brought a smothered
oath to his lips. Drawing her out of
hearing, he muttered, angrily, mind
your own business; I've got something
on"
81 know you have" She met his
eyes unflinchingly. "But you shan't
rob him."
Jim thrust his thin face close to hers,
and she saw that it was distorted with
rage. eff you don't want to go home,
stay here. He's going with me.''
"We'll see."
She turned, but he seized her rough
ly. "What are you going to do?" he
demanded.
"I'm going to tell him he's being
taken to a crooked gambling house,
and that you're working for Max Mel
cher. He isn't too drunk to under
stand that"
Her brother clenched his fist menac-
ingly, but she did not recoil, and he
thought better Of his impulse.
care you grand-standing? he quer-
led, brutally. care you stuck on the
boob? or do you want your bit?"
Without reply she walked back to
the cab, redirected the driver to the
Charlevoix, then seated herself beside
Wharton, who was already sinking
into stupor. Jim skunk in behind her,
and they were whirled southwark.
1t was a silent ride, for the besot-
ted young millionaire slept, and Jim
dared not trust himself to speak. Lo-
relief closed her eyes, nauseated, disil-
lusioned, miserable, seeing more clear
ly than ever the depths into which she
had unwittingly sunk, and the infamy
to which Jim had descended.
At his hotel Wharton reused himself,
and Lorelei sent him Keeling into the
vestibule. Then she and Jim turned
homeward through the deserted streets.
CHAPTER XII,