Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-09-01

she entered; the elevator man stared
at her with black, hostile eyes until
she had made herself known; and
even the superintendent less pre-
tentious structure than the Elegancla
he would have been the janitor--now
that mo. 6" was rented, did not extend
even a perfunctory welcome as he de-
livered the keys. On the contrary. he
made known the exclusive character
of the house In such pointed manner
as to offend her.
Lilas was out, she learned, which
probably meant that she was still
asleep. Lorelei assembled to her new
home In low spirits. Now that she
saw the place in strong daylight she
was vaguely disappointed. She was
very lonely. very friendless. and very
much discouraged. Then she noticed
the telephone and sprang toward II.
Adoree was at home her voice an
swered cheerily, and her interruptions
OF amazement and delight caused Lore
lei's message to spin itself out undnly.
Without waiting for an invitation
Adoree cried:
LET me come and help. Please!
Wen use both the poodlcs for mops
uhd I'll be there in ten minutes
You're perfect dear to say yes, for
I know you want to do 1t all yourself"
"Come now-quickly. I'm scared"
Iorelei begged. in fearful tones.
III drive right up in my chariot OF
flame; l was going out, and it's wait
Ing while kals0mine my face Are
you sure everything is good and dirty?
Goody! Wen do 1t ourselves. Good
BY"
Side by side the girls worked; they
forgot their luncheon, then sent the
sad faced footman in search Of deli
catessen store, and ate ravenously with
newspaper for tablecloth. BY eve
ming the place found itself for once in
Its life clean and orderly, and the two
occupants dressed and went ont to a
nearby hotel for dinner. Returning,
they put the final touches to their task.
When Adoree left. late that night,
she kissed her friend, saying:
THANK you for the loveliest Sunday
I ever had. 1t was splendid, and III
come again tomorrow"
The theatrical profession Is full Of
women whose lives are flawless; hence
It had not been difficult for Loreei to
build up reputation that insured re-
spect, although her connection with
Bergman show made the task more diff
fcult than 1t would otherwise have
been. During the two years Of her
stage experience no scandal had at
tached to her name, and she had there
fore begun to feel secure. In that pc
Rod she had met many men of the
usual types that are attracted by foot
light favorites, and they had pressed
attentions upon her, but so long as she
had been recognized as the Lady I'm
obtainable they had not forced their
unwelcome advances. Now, however,
associated her name with that of a
wealthy man, she began to note a
change. Bergman's advances had been
only another disquieting symptom Of
what she had to expect-an indication
of the new color her reputation had as
sumed.
Nobel Bergman's commercial caution
steered him wide of the moral women
in his employ, but the other kind, and |
especially the innocent or the inexperi-
enced, had cause to know and to fear
him. In appearance he was slender
and foppish; he affected a pronounced
waist line in his coats, his eyes were
large and dark and brilliant, his mouth
was sensual. He never raised his
voice, he never appeared to see plain
women; such girls as accepted his at
tentions were sure of advancement,
but paid for 1t in other ways.
On Monday evening Mr. Slosson, the
press agent, thrust his head through
the dresslng-ro0m door and announced
to Lorelel:
Bergman says Mrs. Thompson Bel
laire is giving a box party, and she
told him to fetch you around for sup
per. She owns a piece of this show.
and the theater belongs to the estate,
M xrautu iuot houa tO Oo ~
Mercy! Mrs. Thompson Bellaire, the
college boys giddy godmother," Lllas
Knocked II suppose she's out slum-
ming, with her kindergarten class"
Slosson frowned at this levity. "Will
you goY he inquired. "Yes or no?"
"Um-m-I'll have to say yes, 1t
seems"
Good. I'll phone Bergman"
When the press agent had gone Lilas
regarded her companion with open
compassion. Gee! But you're going
to have grand time. That bunch
thinks it's smart to be seen with show
people, and of course they'll dance all
night"
And I did so want to go straight
back to my new home" When she
joined her employer after the show she
was In no very agreeable frame of
mind.
Mrs. Thompson ellaire was a YER
milion-haired widow with chest like
blacksmith, who had become famous
for her jewels and her social eccen-
tricitles. She and her party were es-
tablished at one of the uptown c'Trot-N
tolrcs,' when Nobel Bergman and Lo-
relief arrived Three examples of
blisling boyhood devoted themselves
to languld blonde girl Of thirty-five,
and the hostess herself was dancing
with another tender youth, but she
came forward, painting.
$50 good Of you to come, dear" she
cried "Thls is Miss Wyeth, and these
are my boys. Mr." she spoke four
meaningless names, and four mean
ingless smiles responded; four wet
combed heads were bowed. She turned
to her blonde companion, saying "She