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

the article she saw that it was quite
in harmony with the general tone and
policy of the paper. which catered to
the faded throngs of the TenderlOin
Truth had been cunningly distorted:
fiippancy. sensationalisM and sala
cious double meaning ran through IL
all.
whats dreadful about it ~ inquired
her brother. THAT sort of advertising
does a show-girl good. You've got to
make people talk about you. sis. and
this'll bring Il gang Of high rollers your
way. You've been so blamed proper
that nobody's interested in you any
more"
For moment Lorelei scrutinizsd
her brother in silence. taken aback at
his outrageous philosophy jim had
changed greatly. she mused: not until
very lately had she observed the full
measure of the change in him. He was
no longer the country boy. the play
mate and confidant Of her youth. but
man, sophisticated. hard. secretive He
had been thoroughly Manhattanized,
she perceived and he was as foreign
to her as stranger. She shook her
head hopelessly.
you're a strange brother" she said
II hardly know what to make Of you.
Has the city killed every decent in.
stinct in you. JIM
Now. don't begin Oh the Old Home
stuff" he replied. testify. do you
really intend to marry bunch Of
coin:''
That's the program. isn't IT? iva
been raised for that and nothing else"
well. ma can't put it over. SO
guess it's up to me-" After moment
he added. Would you accept Merkle?"
Lorelei shivered. "Oh-no! Not Mr.
Merkle."
''Humph. You ought to consider the
rest Of us a little bit. Pa could he
cured. mad be happy. I could get on
my feet How about Bob Wharton
Lets not talk about it. please. Mr.
Wharton is getting nasty. and-Tm be.
ginning to be afraid of him"
iii bet you could land him"
'Please. don't want to think
about 1T. dare say I'll bring myself
to marry some rich man some day:
but-Merkle-Wh She shud
dered for second time. III Mr..
Wharton is serious this scandal will
scare him of. or else he'll become
lust like the others. l could cry. He
threatened me tonight: ! don't know
how I'll manage to avoid him tomor.
row night
"Hm-m. He's coming that stronS
eh?' was Jims interested query; but
young millionaire's determined pursuit
he volunteered in his ofYhand way to
assist her.
..Ill come for you myself. and we'll
whip over to Il cafe for supper"
You'll save me from him" said LO.
relief. with wan smile. land I'll know
that you are in good company for one
evening at least
''Don't lose any sleep over my hab
| It's" he told her. lightly.
AZ Jim and his mother breakfastsd
| together OH the following morning he
preached the subject Of his recent cob
versation with Lorelei.
"She's sore about the story" he
said. I'VE had a long talk last night. :"
! II knew she would be. and I'm not
sure it was a good thing
| Well drag something out Of it II
| you do your part. Merkle will pay,
Don't mention mOney-nOthing but
marriage understand? Outraged
motherhood. ruined daughter blasted
4 career--that's yours. I'll lie the broth.
er who's in the position Of a father tC
her ] can threaten. but you mustn't.
| Goldberg will close for us.
81 don't see why we have to divide
with lawyer. when it's our affair and
we can handle it ourselves" his mother
complained.
81 tell you it's got to go through the
regular channels This was Melcher's
idea. and. since I'm in on the Ham.
mon money. Max is entitled to his bit
| Of this Gee. II she'd only told us
! she was going out with Merkle we
might have framed something worth
while-I don't mind telling you this ID
| pretty weak case"
Wouldn't he marry herr"
Not chance. In the nrst place,
| she wouldn't have him. Bob Wharte1
is the white hope"