The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-11-23

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 ad-
miringly through eyes that were filmed
and unfocusable.
"Falry princess. you are more adcr-
able every minute" he said. thlckly.
Yes! A thousand yeses and I'm
your little friend. eh? No more slaps,
no more mysterious exits, whatg"
"That depends upon you"
"i'm behaving finely" he vaunted.
"I usually act much worse than l have
tonight, but 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.
Jlm's nice boy-obliged to him"
81 see. Then It was all planned?"
He nodded vehemeutly and nearly
lost his balance.
How much--dld you pay hlm?" Lo-
relief queried. with difficulty.
Mr.. Wharton waved his hand In a
magnificent gesture whats money.
anyhow? Somebody's bound to get IT,"
FIFTY dollarsr
He looked at her reproachfully.
That's an insult TO Jim-he's busi-
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 pause.
Wharton assured her with abnormal
emphasis that her llghtest wish was
law.
"Then go straight home from hers"
she pleaded.
81 say, that's not fair" Bob looked
ludlcrously shocked. 81 promised Jim
Wouldn't have me break sacred
promise, would your We're expected
little game all arranged where we
can bust It quick, II you hear loud
nolse-thatll be Melcher going broke"
"Meicherw 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..
whartonT
"The Charlevoix." II 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 smothered
oath to his lips. Drawing her out of
hearing, he muttered, angrily. "MInd
your own business; I've got something
on"
II know you have" She met his
eyes nnfiinchlngly. But you shan't
rob him."
Jim thrust his thin face close to hers
and she saw that 1t was distorted with
rage. "If 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 dor" 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.
"Are you grand-standlng?" he quer.
led. brutally. Are you stuck on the
boob? or do you want your bit?"
without reply she walked back Ia
the cab, redirected the driver to the
Charlevolx, 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-
relel closed her eyes, nauseated, disil.
lusioned, miserable, seeing more clear
ly than ever the depths into which she
had unwittlngly sunk, end the infamy
to which Jim had descended.
At his hotel Wharton reused himself
and Lorelei sent him reellng Into the
vestibule. Then she and Jim turned
homeward through the deserted streets
CHAPTER xI.