Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-08-24
but it was plain that ne wax net ~
tirely displeased at his sons prank.

saw you 10, bod. lou cOuiQ almost
make a living for yourself at it,
The young man grinned. showing
rows of firm, strong teeth. Lorelei,
who was watching him, decided that
he must have at least twice the usual
number; yet 1t was a good mouths
good, big, generous mouth.
Thanks for those glorious words OF
praise; that's more than we're doing on
the Street nowadays. Whew Got
any grape-juice for a growing boy p
He helped himself to his fathers wine
glass and drained it. ssYou can settle
now. dad-one thousand iron men. /
owe 1t to Demorest-s
what do you meanY'
"Debt Of honor / heard she was
due here with some kind of an electric
thrill, so | offered her my share of the
sweepstakes to further disgrace herself
by dancing with me-" He caught Lore
lei's eye and stared boldly. "He,lo!
believe in fairies, too, dad. Introduce
me to the Princess
Merkle volunteered this service, and
Bob promptly hitched his chair closer.
Lorelei saw that he was very drunk.
and marveled at his control during the
recent exhibition.
''Tell me more about the 'Parti- color :
Petticoat' and 'Dentol Chewing Gum,'
Miss knight. Your face is household
word in every street car" he began.
She replied promptly, quoting hap
hazard from the various advertise
ments in which she figured. "It never
shrinks; it holds its shape; 1t must be
seen to be appreciated; is cool, re-
freshing, and prevents decay"
How did you meet that French
dancerT Hannibal Wharton queried,
sourly, of his son.
81 stormed the stage door and way
laid her in the wings. She thought
was you, dad. Wharton is grand old
name" He chuckled at his fathers
exclamation.
"Where did you learn those Argen-
tine wigglesY
Hard times are to blame, dad. The,
old men on the exchange play golf ALI
day, and the young ones turkey-trot an
night. I stay up late in the hope ttat
may find a quarter that some SUBJ
urbanite has dropped"
The elder men rose and sauntered
away in the direction of their host
whereupon Bob winked.
They've left us fat. Why? Be
cause the wicked Mile. Demorest has
finally made her appearance as a
guest. My dad is a splendid shock
absorber. Naughty, naughty ,papav'
Its probably well that you came
with her; fathers are so indiscreet."
Young Wharton signaled to waiter
who was passing with a wine bottle,
and a napkin.
"Tarryw he cried. Remove the
shroud, please, and let me look at poor
old Roderer. Thanks. How natural
he tastes" Then to Lorelei: 1.-THE gov
ernor is a woman hater; but no man
is safe in range of your liquid orbs.
Miss Knight. Wouldn't mother enjoy
reading the list of Hammon's guests at
this party? Among those present were.
Mr.. Hannibal 9. Wharton, the we'll
known rolling-mill man; Miss Lorelef
Knight, principal first-act fairy of the
Bergman Revue, and Mile. Adorees
Denorest, the friend Of king. good
time was had by all, and the diners
enjoyed themselves very NICE" He
laughed loudly, and the girl stirred.
"She'd be pleased to read also that.
you came late, but highly intoxicated
"Ah! Salvation Nell" Bob took no
offense. IF the hour was late she'd
know my intoxication followed as a
matter of course. / am a derivative,
Of alcohol, the one and infallible argu-
ment against temperance, Miss
Knight
''You talk as If you were always
drunk"
"Oh-not always. By day I am fire.
luently sober, but at such times I am
fit company for neither man nor beasls
am harsh and unsynlpathetic; I
scheme and I conn,ve. With nightfall,
however, there comes a rietamorpho-
sis. Once | am stocked up with aes,
wines, liquors and cigars, I become a
living, palpitating influence for good,
spreading happiness and prosperity in
my wake"
Do you consider yourself in such a
condition now?" queried Lorelei,
vaguely amused.
Il am, and, since it is long past the
closing hour Of one and the tango par
lors are dark, suppose we blow this
who's Who in Pittsburgh and taxi
cab out to roadhouse where the bass
fiddle is still inhabited and The second
generation is trotting to the Robert E..
Lee'?'
Lorelei shook her head with smile.
II don't care to co.
Stranger Mr. Wharton helped
himself to goblet of wine. appearing
to heap the liquor above the edge of
the glass. "No, if I We're sober /
could understand how you might pre-
fer these pappy guys to me- for no
body likes me then, but I'm agreeably
picked. Merkle won't take you any,