Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-11-09
THE AUCTION BLOCK
By REX BEACH (onvr;shed bv Harrer F3ro4here
By REX BEL CHI

receive an Invitation for her and bel
husband to spend a weekend at Fen
nellcourt, the country home OF Der,
Hayman's sister. She had not beer
sorry to give up her theatrical work
and the prospect Of meeting nics
people, Of leaving FOR good and all TIL
sordid, unhealthy atmosphere Of Broad
way, bathed her in a glow Of anticipa
ton.
Fennellcourt is one Of the show
places Of the Wheatley Hills section
Bert Hnyman drove the Whartons out
IRONY the city, and Lorelefs hrst
glimpse of Fennellcourt was such that
she forgot her vague dislike OF Hay.
man himself. Bert, who had met hel
and Bob for luncheon, had turned Out
to be, instead of polished man Of the
world, glib youth with an artificial
laugh and pair of sober, heavy-lidaed
eyes. That he possessed a keen ap
probation Of feminine beauty be
showed by surrendering unconditiOn.
/, ally to Lorelei's charms.
As Hayman's car rolled up the drive
way and the beauties OF Fennellcouel
displayed themselves, Lorelei found
her heart throbbing violently. Was moi
this the beginning OF a glorious adveu.
ture? Was not life unfolding at last:
Was she not upon the threshold Of q
new world? The hutter in her breast
was answer.
Bert led the way through an impras-
sive hall that bisected the building,
then out upon stately balustraded
stone terrace. where, in the grateful
shade OF gaudy awnings. a dozen
people were chatting at tea tables.
Mrs. Fennell, the hostess, a plata
faced, dumpy young matron, welcomed
the newcomers, then made Lorelel
known. AS for Bob, he needed no IN
Productions; "a noisy outburst greeted
him, and Lorelel's heart warmed at
the welcome.
A few moments OF chatter, 1hen she
and Bob were led into the house again
and up to cool, wide bedroom. A.
Lorelei removed her motor coat and
bonnet she exclaimed, breathlessly:
What gorgeous house! And those
people! They weren't the least III
formal.
Bob laughed. Formally is abeut
the last thing they're famous Abs.
There's liable to be too much innbp
mality. Say! You made those danes
look like the Monday morning wash,
ladies' parade. knew you would"
You said this was the younger sst-
but that awful Thompson- Bellaire wid-
ow is here, and that blonde girl met
with her"
"Alice wyeth?''
Eyes. thought she was going to
kiss you.''
Bob grinne,l. 80 did l. She VIII,
too, IL she feels like it,
Won't you have anything to my
about it?''
what could say? Alice does Just
as she likes. So does everybody else,
for that matter. I've never gone in Tor
this sort of thing very much'
After moment Lorelei ventured, u
suppose they're all hard drinkers
"That wasn't spring water you say
In their glasses.''
Are you going to?' LorelA eyed
him anxiously.
II can't very well make myself cor
spicuous by refusing everything; I
don't want to look like zebra in Q
henyard and cocktail before dinner
wouldn't hurt any body" Noting bis
wife's expression, he kissed her lightly.
Now don't spoil your first party by
worrying over me. Just forget you're
married and have a good time"
Music greeted them as they descend
ed the stairs, and they found some ot
the guests dancing. to the strains q
a giant orchestrion built into the mue
sic room. Hayman promptly seized
upon Lorelei and whirled her away.
but not before she saw the Wyeth
blonde making for Bob as an eagle
makes for its prey.
Guests continued to arrive from
time to time; some from Westchestae
and the Connecticut shore, others
from neighboring estates. One couple
in riding clothes, out for gallop, diop
mounted and stayed for trOt. Tle
huge tiled terrace began to resemblo
Broadway the dansant.
There was more freedom, more n
vacity than Lorelei was accustomed to
even in the gayest downtown resorts;
the fun was swift and hilarious, thsre
was great deal of drinking. Bob.
after manful struggle against lis
desires and frightened redstapce
to the advances OF Miss Wystb, had
fed to the billiard room.
Lorelei became interested in watch.
ing Miss Courtenay, the girl IN the rid.
ing habit, one of the seasons debu-
tantes, who, it seemed, was especially
susceptible to tho influence Of liquor.
Lorelei was glad when It came time
to dress for dinner. As she went to
her room Mrs. Fennell stopped her on
the stairs to say:
my dear, Elizabeth Courtenay WIS
frantically jealous Of you"
"Of me? don't understands
"She and Bert are great frIende-
and he's gone perfectly daft oyee you
Why, he's telling everybody" -Loreaei
flushed, to the evident amusement OF
her hostess, who ran on: .Oh. Deft
means I'll i never heard him rave 20.
Quite a compliment, my deari. win 1
playful pat she went on her way, loay-
Ing the young wife weak with disnay.
When Bob came In he betrayed an
slation only too familiar.
You've been drinkingr' cried LaOs-