Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-09-14
CHAPTER Vl-continued.

Iue JuuRe Udu enjoyed the scene.
He chuckled; he clicked his loose front
teeth like castanets. Bob turned at
the sound and regarded him with be-
nignant interest, his attention riveted
upon the old mans dental infrmity
You're quite a comedian" Regain
wheezed.
"Click 'em again." said Bob, pleas
antly. Wonderful! Age has its com
pensations. Play Home, Sweet Home
when you get 'em tuned up Or per-
haps they are for sale?"
Lorelei secured her number and was
surprised to recognize her brothers
voice. She made herself known, to
Jim's equal amazement, and then in
CURED
as Max there?'
"Sure. He's outside in the automo-
bile"
Call him, please"
what do you want of him? How'd
you know was here?"
Never mind. Call him quickly"
At last Melchers voice came over
the wire, and Lorelei recited the mes
sage. There was a moment of silence.
then she explained how she came to
be talking instead of Lilas.
He thanked her, and she heard him
muttering as he hung up. She turned
to find her annoyer nodding with sat
lsfaction.
Splendid! 1 thank you; my father
thanks you; my family thanks you.
Now where would you like to dine?"
'How can person get rid Of your"
ehe inquired stiffly.
'I'm sure I don't know-it isn't be-
ing done. But I'll try to think. Wear
your prettiest gown, won't you? for
intend to enrage all the other fell
lows"
She turned with a shrug Of mingled
annoyance and amusement, and he
called after her:
'The Judges teeth will entertain
me till you come. I'll be waiting"
Miss Lynn, as she dressed after the
performance, was still in an evil tenn
per; but she thanked her roommate for
aiding her; then, as if some explana-
ton were due, she added, "That note
was from Jarvis"
you puzzle me, Lilas," Lorelei told
her, slowly. II don't think you care
for him at ALL"
Lilas laughed. "Why do you think
that? 4 adore him, but we had an en-
gagement and he broke it. Men are
all selfish; the bigger they are the
more selfish they become. They never
do anything you don't make them"
"He can't sacrifice his business for
you"
Sacrifice! It's women who sacri-
fee themselves. D'you suppose any of
those men we met last night would
sacrifice himself for anything or any
body? Not much. They are the
strong and the mighty. They got rich
through robbery, and they're in the
habit of taking whatever they want.
They made their money out of the
blood and suffering of thousands of
poor people. That's what it is-blood
money"
SIS that why you're planning to
blackmall it out of him?"
Lilas paused in her dressing and
turned slowly, brows lifted. Her
dark eyes met the blue ones unwaver-
ingly.
"Blackmail? What are you talking
about?" Mrs. Croft went pale, and
retired swiftly but noiselessly into the
iayatory, closing the door behind her
what did Max tell you over the
'phone?" asked Lilas, sharply.
Nothing"
"Then where did you get-that?
From Jim?'
"Jim's pretty bad, I imagine, but
5 he keeps bis badness to himself No.
I've overheard you and Max talking"
Nonsense. We've never mentioned
such a thing. The idea is absurd. /
get mad at Jarvis-he's enough to
madden anybody-perhaps I'm jealous.
but blackmail! Why, you're out of
your head"
L0xels5 delayed her toilet purposely.