Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-09-14
aammon listened briest, then bros.

Harmon listened brfeag, then broke
out:
Nonsense. I'd stake my life on her.
Why, she's Frustrated. It's either pure
bIackmail, or it's my wife's work.
She's had detectives on me for soma
time" Merkle murmured something
more. ooh, come now! I know what
I'm talking ABOUT, and won't stand
for that" cried Harmon.
Merkle shrugged; his next words
were audible, and they were both
sharp and ,incisive.
'The harms done. They got away
clean. Now we've got to kill the story
and kill it quick in case they intend
it for the papers"
"My Godl Newspapers-at this
time" groaned the other ct couldn't
be worse"
Fright. We must move fast. Is
your car here?"
eyes"
"Get it. Well go in with you.
had an accident to mine"
you'll see for yourself you're
wrong-about the other.p Harmon
jerked his head meaningly toward the
house, then strobe away to order his
motor.
Mefkle favored his young companion
with wintry smile.
st seems we're TOO late"
Lorelei nodded silently Don't tell
him who-spoke to US out there. NOT
o. act T. MI 20
JAIL"
Jail? There won't be any Jail to
this-there never is. Jarvis will have
to settle for the sake of the rest of
u.s."
Hammon's limousine rolled in under
the porte cochere, and a moment later
the owner appeared with Lilas.
Lorelei stared at her friend in genu.
inc surprise, for it was obvious that
Lilas was deeply agitated. Her face
was swollen with weeping; she verged
upon hysteria. No sooner were the
four in the car and under way than
she broke down, sobbing wretchedly.
tits all my fault. might have
known he was up to something; but
didn't think he'd dare she managed
to say.
"He? Who?" Merkle asked her.
MAX Melcher. He az much as told
me. If hadn't been fool I'd have
guessed, but he Oh, l could kill
myselfp' She burst INFO strangling
sobs and hysteric laughter.
"Why did you let him come to the
dressing room?" Lorelei Inquired.
Hes been doing it for years. I've
always-known him. We were-en-
gagged"
Harmon verified this. '.that's right.
They were engaged when I met her.
She didn't know the sort OF ruffian he
is till / proved it. She's afraid of
him, and he knows it."
II tried to break with him, but he
wouldn't let me; and I've had to be
nice to him. He'd have murdered me
If T."
"Rot" Merkle exclaimed, testify.
"Rot, eh? Jarvis answered. Hes
done as much, more than once; but he's
so powerful that nobody can get him.
He's the king of his ward; he keeps
gang of gunner on the East side,
and he's the worst thug in the CITY,"
Harmon soothed his charmer in his
clumsy, elephantine way, showing
that, despite Merkle's recent insinua-
tons, he still trusted her. "This Is the
only woman who ever cared for me,
john" he explained, after some hest
tation. "and we're going to stick to-
gether. We have no secrets"
your little Fifth avenue establish
ment rather complexities matters,
doesn't it? What are you going to do
about that?' Merkle inquired.
''This thing-tonight- likely to
settle the matter for me. You know
the kind of home life I've led for TWEEN
ty years, and you know wouldn't re-
greet any change. When MAN goes
ahead and his wife stands still the
right and wrong Of what either chooses
to do is hard to settle. At any rate, it
has ceased to concern me. l want a
few years Of happiness and compan-
ionship before l die. I'm selfish-I'H
pay the price"
They rode on In silence.