Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-09-07
CHAPTER TX.

Lorelef was not little mystitied by
Merkle's cryptic message, for she
I could imagine no possible way in
which she or the writer himself could
be connected discreditably with JAR
Wis lannon's affair. She gained some
light. however. when that evening she
read the note to Iilas
Why. they're going to blackmail
Merkle. too T.ilas exclaimed We'll.
they'd he foolish to let him Off,
wouldn't they?'
so they think he'll pay to keep his
name out Of the papers?'
Exactly. And he will-for your
sake"
II won't let him."
Lilas was surprised "Why? He's
rich. He wouldn't miss few thou
sand"
You wouldn't allow Mr.. Harmon
to be robbed. would you?'
"Oh. wouldn't 1? Ii he didn't care
enough for me to protect me from
scandal Id want to know II"
"Iilas, you puzzle me-" confessed
that make me think you don't care
for him at all; then again you seem
to be crazy about him. How do you
feel? How far would you go with
him?"
Lilas laughed airily. perhaps I'd
go farther with him than for him. He
asked me to marry him If his wife
gets divorce; and agreed. Now that
he has come to the point. I'm sorry
things happened just as they did. A
woman must look out for herself-no
man will ever help her. It's worth
some notoriety to become Mrs. Jarvis
Harmon"
Something in the speakers words
rang false; but just what that some
thing was. Lorelei could not decide.
''Then you'd like. to see the story
made pubic?" she queried
Naturally"
Il dare say IL loved a man I'd
want him at any price but Hope I'm
not going to be dragged into this mat
ter"
MY dear, you have family: they
can make A1erkle do the right thing
by you. He could be made to pay. at
least. and you'll be sorry If you don't
get something out of him. Just wait
and see what a difference the story
makes with your other men friends. .
During the ensuing performance To-
relief pondered her friends disquieting
prophecy; yet she could see no reason
for grave apprehension. Publicity Of
the kind threatened would, of course
be disagreeable: but how it could seri-
ously affect her was not apparent
Later in the evening Robert Whar-
ton appeared. as usual. and SO resent
full was he at the receptions previously
practiced upon him that Lorelei with
difficulty escaped scene. At last he
planted himself in the hallway. where
j he remained throughout the perform
ance-a gloomy. watchful figure. Lo-
relief came down boldly. dressed for
the street, and. since she could not pass
the besieger. crossed under the stage.
made her way into the orchestra pit.
and managed to leave the theater by
the front door.
She was waiting when Jim came
home. and followed him into his room.
where they could talk without disturb
Ing their father Lorelei made her ac-
cusation boldly. prepared for the usual
burst of anger. but Jim listened pa
tiently until she paused.
II knew you had to spill this. so |
let you rave" said he. but it's too
!. late; somebody has been after Ham
mon for long time. and he's been
got-yes. and got good. Take flash
at the Chorus Girls Bible" He
tossed his sister copy Of prominent
theatrical paper. 81 waited until 1t
came out"
Lorelei gasped. for on the front page
glared black-typed headlines Of the
Harmon scandal. John Merkle's name
was there. too, and, linked with it, her
own.
what is-this?' She ran her eye
swiftly down the column.
Sure. Melcher commenced suit
against Harmon this afternoon. Fifty
thousand dollars for alienation of Ii
las affections. Joke. .eh? He claims
there was common-law marriage and
he'll get the coin"
But Mrs. Hammon?"
1.-THE evidence is in her hands al
ready-dates. places. photographs. ev-
erything. She'll win her suit. too
Were you by any chance working
for Mrs. HammOn?"