Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-09-22

ton brought no reply.
seizing her roughly. he shook her
muttering savagely
"If | were sure, by God, I'd strange
you'll"
She remained limp; her expression
less stare did not change
Merkle heard stir behind him and
found Jimmy knights blanched face
peering in at him. Even fright c0u
not entirely rob the younger mans fea'
lures of their sly inquisitiveness.
"Mr. Hammon's calling you" said
Jim, then bllnked at the wretchedly
disheveled woman.
"Here!" Merkle beckoned him with
a jerk Of his head. This girl must get
away from here She'll ruin everything
In her condition. Try to put her In some
kind of shape while Lorelei packs her
bag. We had better get her out OF the
country II we can"
Jim's quick eyes took In the articles
on the dressing table. "Ha! Dope"
he exclaimed. "She's q coker-she's
filed herself up. But, say-you don't
really think she-did It, do your"
Il don't know what to think. Its
just as bad, either way. Hammon's
wife and daughters must never know
Now, quick. See what you can do with
her"
Merkle returned to the library, sent
Loreei in to her brothers assistance.
then scanned his friends face anx-
iously. But Harmon had not moved;
the sweat still stood upon his lips and
forehead, his jaws were still set like
stone.
Several months before, Bob Whar-
ton, during one of his hilarious mo-
ments, had conceived the brilliant no.
ton OF hiring four-wheeler and driv-
ing a conyivlal party of friends from
place to place. The success of his ex-
plot had been so gratifying that he
had repeated the performance, but he
was In a far different mood now as
he left the Elegancla. The shock of
Loreleis announcement, the sight of
his stricken friend, had sobered him
considerably, yet he was not himself
by any means. At one moment he saw
and reasoned clearly, at the next his
intOxication benumbed his senses and
distorted his mental vision. For once
in his life he wished himself sober.
Broadway, that pulsating artery of
New York life, was still flowing thin
stream Of traffic despite the lateness
of the hour, and Bob's mind had be-
come clearer by the time he reached II.
Several taxicabs whlrled past, both
north and south bound, but he knew
better than to hire them, so he waited
as patiently as he could while those
pillows Of lntoxication continued to ebb
and flow through his brain, robbing
him of that careful judgment which
he fought to retain.
At last the clop-clop- clop Of horses
hoofs sounded close by, and an un-
shaven man In an ancient high hat
steered four wheeler to the curb,
barking, "Keb, keb!'
Bob lurched forward and laid a hand
upon the drivers knee. VERY man
I'm lookln' for The hiccup that fol-
lowed was by no means intentional.
YES sir Where to, sir?"
But Bob shook his head vigorously
and waved comprehensive gesture
toward the west. Got party of my
own back yonder-everybody soused
but me-understand2 I'm the only
sober one, SO I'm goin' to drive 'em
home, see? How muchp'
How much for what" demanded
the cabman.
For the cab-one hour. I'll bring
It back"
Nothing except Bob's personal ap-
pearance prevented the driver from
whipping up without more ado. The
night was old-and these Jokers some
times pay well, the man reflected.
How'd know you'd bring 1t backf"
he inquired.
Matter of honor with me. III be
back In no time. VIII ten dollars be
right? I'll make 1t fifteen, and you
can lend me your coat and hat. Well
exchange-have to, or no joke. Is 1t
go"
The offer was tempting, but the
driver cannlly demanded Wharton's
name and address before committing
himself. The card that Bob handed
him put an end to the parley; he
wheeled into the side street and re-
moved his long. nickel-buttoned coat
and his battered tile, taking Bob's
broadcloth and well-blocked hat in re-
turn.
First one O. these I ever had on"
he chuckled "If you amt back I'll
take these glad rags to Charley Voices
hotel eh2"
Right! The Charlevolx. But I'll be
back" Bob drove away with parting
flourish of his whip.
The elevator was In its place, the
mailman doing, when Wharton en-
tered the Elegancia and rang the bell
of Lilas Lynn's apartment. Once he
had gained admittance little time was
wasted. He and Merkle helped Ham
mon to his feet then each took an arm;
but the exertion told, and Jarvis hung
between them like drunken man, q
gray lool Of death upon his face.
"Watch out for the door-man," Jim
my knight cautioned for the twentieth
time. Make him think you've got q
souse."
aren't you coming alongT asked
Bob.
But Jim recoiled. me? No. I'll
stay and help Lilas make her get
away
Merkh nodded agreement Don't
let her get out Of your sight, either un-
derstand? There's ship sailing In
the morning. See that she's aboard"
Jarvis Harmon spoke. II want you