Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-07-28
CHAPTER VIII.

When Lorelei awoke on the follow
ing afternoon her first inquiry was for
Jim; but he had not come home, and
her mother knew nothing Of his where
abouts. Lorelel ate her breakfast in
silence; then, In reply to question,
accounted for the lateness Of her ar
rival by saying that she had dined with
Mr.. Merkle.
At the name Mrs. Knight pricked up
her ears; she undertook to pick out of
her daughter all that had occurred,
down to the most insignificant detail.
Lorelei had always made confidante
of her mother in such cases; but this
time the latter's inquisltiveness graf
ed on her, and she answered the ques-
tons put to her grudgingly. She could
not help likenlng her mother to mag
pie, although the thought. shocked her.
There was the same sly angle of coun-
tenance, similar furtiveness of pur-
pose; the very expression Of Mrs.
knights keen, hard eyes was like
nothing so much as that Of the pry-
ing birds Displeased at her own irri-
tation, LOrelei made the excuse of
shopping trip to escape from the house.
At the nearest news stand she
bought the afternoon papers, and was
relieved to find no mention of the In
cidents Of the night before 1t APP
peared that Harmon and Merkle had
succeeded In their attempt to suppress
the story-if, indeed. there had ever
been any intention Of making 1t public.
Looking back upon last nights home
ward ride, she was wholly at loss.
In view. of Jim's words and of what
She had gathered at the theater she
had felt sure Of I.ilas' complete knowl-
edge of the blackmail plot, but Ham
mons unwavering faith in the girl and
Lilas' own story Of her relations with
Max Melcher had awakened a doubt
What concerned her far more than the
moral complexion Of the liaison was
her brothers connection with the un-
lawful scheme OF extortion Jim, she
saw. had gone wrong with ven
geance, and the consequences to him
troubled her, for In spite of all that he
might be or do she cherished sisterly
affection for him. Family ties were
very real and very strong to her
strong enough to keep her loyal to her
kin even after the demoralizing change
in her whole mode Of life. The firm
est, in fact, the only bond that she had
ever known, was that Of blood; obedi-
ence, faithfulness and affection had
been born in her, and she never
thought to question their sacredness.
Idlng down Fifth avenue, she found
herself in front of fashionable de-
Dartment store. A knot of curious
people were gaping at unique auto
mobile which stood In the line Of We
ticles along the curb, and she paused
to look. The equipage was snow white
IN color; the chauffeur and stiff
backed footman were In blood red with
white faclngs on their livery. A tiny
mop of lapdog imprisoned within
the closed body of the car, was barking
'renhedly at the throng. Across the
doors, in gold letters an inch high, was
the name "Adoree Demorest."
As she entered the store Lorelei re-
Elected with some disgust that no WIS.,
ting rajah, no barbaric potentate-
no one. in fact, except self-advertised
musical comedy queen--would so fla
GRAVITY defy good taste as to ride In
such a vehicle. =
She was engaged in her final pur-
rhase when dazzling creature in red
and white descended upon her with ex-
CARNATIONS Of surprise and delight. 1t
was Mademoiselle Dem0rest herself,
and her greeting was so effuslye that
the stream of shoppers halted in the
aisle. She carried the mate to the ex-
citable poodle that defied the curiosity
seekers outside.
Miss Knight I'm so glad to see
YOU again." she burbled. How sweet
YOU look! | hoped we'd meet again;
but where have you been? Have you
finished your shoppingH Then do come
and help me match some rose du
Barry" :.