Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-08-18
CHAPTER xI.

During the last act Of the matinee on
the day following LOrelei was sur
prised to receive a call from John
Merkle. "The Judge" led him to her
dressing room, then shuffled away,
leaving him alone with her and Mrs.
Croft.
II hope haven't broken any rules
by dropping In during your Office
hours" he began.
Theatrical rules are made to be
broken; but do think that you are In
discreet. Don't your"
The banker had been using his eyes
with an interest that betrayed his un.
familiarity with these surroundings.
II was on my way uptown and pre-
ferred not to telephone" He looked
meanlngly at Croft; and Lorelel, inter
preting his glance, sent the dresser
from the room on some errand. "Well,
the game worked" said Merkle. "Mrs.
Harmon has left home and com.
menced suit for divorce. If our friend
Miss Lynn had set out to ruin Jarvis
socially-and perhaps fnancially-she
couldn't have played her cards better"
us that what you came to tell meY'
Merkle hesltated. mo" he admit.
ted, 1T isn't; but I'm bit embar,
raised now that I'm here. suppose
your mother told about seeing me?"
my mOtherT LOrelei's amazement
was convincing, and his keen eyes
softened. when did you see mother
Where?"
Yesterday, at my office. Didn't you
know that she and your brother had
calledT
Lorelei shook her head; she felt sick
with dread Of his next words.
1T was very-unpleasant, l fear, for
all Of u.s."
"What did they-wantT The girl
was still smiling, but her lips beneath
the paint were dry.
'"They felt that l had-er-involved
you in great deal of notoriety. From
Wi at they said l judged that you
sha ed their feelings" He paused awk-
wnrily once more, and she motioned
him to continue. eve didn't get on
very well, especially your brother and
/; for he presumed to-criticlze my re-
latiOn, with you and-er-my motive
in taking you to ride the other night.
l believe was quite rude to him; In
fact, had the Waterman eject him,
not daring to trust myself"
'They asked for-moneyw Lorelei
averted her face. for she could not
bear to meet his frank eyes.
Eyes What considered great deal
of money l understood they repre-
scented you. They didn't insist, how
ever; they offered me a choice"
"Choice! OF what?"
"Well-I inferred that marriage
would undo the wrong had"
-"Oh-hv' Lorelei rose with gasp.
Bravely she stilled the tremor Of her
lips. "Tell me-the rest"
'"There isn't much more Your moth
or was quite hysterlcal and-noisy. To
day lawyer came to see me. He
offers to settle the whole matter. but
prefer dealing directly with you"
do you think I knew anything
about ity she cried, Indignantly.
mo, do not think so now. Yester-
day was too much surprised and too
angry to know just what l did think.
It's perfectly true, however, that was
to blame for the unfortunate outcome
Of the ride, and l want to make
amends for any injury"
Weren't you injured, too, by the
publicity?"
Merkle showed his teeth in a mirth-
less smile>
That's neither here nor there" a
"Please-leave me, and-let me
think this over. l must do something
quickly, or--I'll smother"
I'm glad came" said be, rising.
I'm glad | made sure"
$50 am I. What you have told me
has made great difference in--every-
thing. Don't allow them to-" She
hesitated and her voice broke. II
can't say II. You must think I'm
unspeakable."
He shook his head gravely. mo. !
merely think you are very unfortu-
nate. think you need help more than
any girl | ever knew"
II do. ! do"
''But | am not the one to give it
at least not the kind Of help you need"
an need help more than ever-after