Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-09-14

.
and LDrelel sent him Keeling Into the
Svestibule. Then she and Jim turned
holneward through the deserted Streets
CHAPTER X.
During the last act Of the matinee on
I the day following I.orelei was sur
Sprised to receive a call from John
Merkle. '..Ihe Judge led him to her
dressing room, then sllnffied away,
leaving him alone with her and Mrs.
Croft.
II hope haven't broken any rules
by dropping In during your Office
hours" he began.
Theatrical rules are made to be
broken: but do think that you are in-,
discreet Don't you?''
The banker had been using his eyes
with an interest that betrayed his I'M
familiarity With these surroundings
II WAS on my way uptown and pre-
fcrrc.i not to telephone He looked
niraningly at Croft; and Lorelei. inter
preting his GLANCE. sent the dresser
from the room on some erran,l. well.
the game worked siid Merkle. Mrs.
Harmon has left home and com,
mencad suit for diyOrce. Ii our friend
Miss Lynn had set out to ruin Jarvis
socially-=and perhaps financially she
couldn't have played her cards better"
+ sls That what you came to tell me?"
Merkle hestated. .sNo,' he admit.
ted. lit. isn't: but I'm bit embar.
raised now that I'm here. suppose
your mother told about seeing me?,
"My niother?' I.oreIeis amazement
was convincing. and his keen eyes
softened. When did you see mother!
Whele:''
Yesterday, at my office. Didn't you
know that she and your brother had
called?'
I.orelei shook her head she felt sick
with dread of his next words.
1T was Very pnnleasant, l fear, fol
all OF u.s.
81 what did they -want?' The girl
was still smiling. but her lips beneath
the paint were dry.
They felt that l had-er-invOlved
you in a great deal OF notoriety. From
what they said judged that you
shared their feelings. He paused awk.
wartily once more. and she lnotioned
him to continue. We didn't get on
yexv well, especially your brother and
Il; for he presumed tocritlcize my re-
Y lations with you and - r-my motive
in taking you to ride the other night
\ / believe was quite rude to him; In
fact. / had the Waterman eject him.
not daring to trust myself"
They asked for--money p Lorelei
ayerted her face. for she could not
bear TO meet his frank eyes.
.Yes-wh considerable great deal
of money understood they repre-
scented you. They didn't insist. how
{ ever: they offered me choice"
"Choice OF what?''
Well inferred that marriage
would undo the wrong had"
: aOh-h!' Lorelei rose with a gasp.
Bravely she stilled the tfeinor of her
lips. ..Tell me-the rest
There isn't much more. Your moth
er was quite hysterical and noisy To
day a lawyer came to see me. He
offers to settle the whole matter. but
/ prefer dealing directly With you. Z
do you think I knew anything
about it?'' she cried. Indignantly.
No. do not think so now. Yester-
day ! was too much surprised and too
angry to know Just what did think.
It's perfectly true. however. that was
to blame for the unfortunate outcome
Of the ride, and i want to make
amends for any injury
Weren't YOU injured. too, by the
publicity?"
Alerle showed his teeth in mirth
less smile.
..,lhat's neither here nor there
"Please-leaye me. and-let me
think this over. must do something
quickly, or-I'H smother
''l'n glad / came said he, rising
Pm glad made sure y
$50 am I. What you have told me
has made a great difference In every
thing. Don't allow them to- She
liesitated and her voice broke. II
can't say 1t. You must think I'm--
lnspeakahle.
He shook his head gravely. NO. l
merely think You are very unfortu-
fate think Won need help more than
any girl ever knew !"
II do. l do
"Rut ! am not tile one to give tt
at least not the kind Of help you need. =
..I'll need help more than ever-after
tonight. :.
Eyes? Why"
Because I'm going to leave home. 2
Lorelei's head was ,lp. and she spoke
with 4 note of defiance.
Then pcrEapsI can do something. :.
He seated himself again! ..You will
need money
2 "Oh, TO. have my salary and the
other revenues yon know abont 7
have kept my family fer two years. I
Work won't hurt ynu. hut why
force yourself to go on with those
other tliingsy They're NOT to your
liking, TN sifie.'..