Meade County news., 1916-11-09

was In the girl that the changes
showed most. When Mrs. Knight had
forecast an immediate success for her
daughter she had spoken with the wis
dom of a Cassandra. Moreover, she
took naturally to the work, finding 1t
more like play; and, being quite free
from girlish timidity she felt no stage
fright, even upon her first appearance.
Her recognition had followed quickly
1t was impossible to hide such perfec-
ton Of loveliness as hers-and the
publicity pleased her. In due course
rival managers began to make offers,
which Mrs. Knight, rising nobly to the
first test of her business ability used
as levers to raise her daughters salary
and to pry. out of Bergman five-year
contract. The role of the Fairy Prin-
cess was a result.
Lorelei had arrived at the point
where further advancement depended
upon study and hard work; but, since
these formed no part Of the family
program, she remained idle. Prof.
cheney in stagecraft of any sort comes
only at the expense Of peonage, and
this girl was being groomed solely for
matrimony.
With the support Of the family en-
tirely upon her shoulders, she had been
driven to many shifts in order to
stretch her salary to livable proper
tions. Peter was a total burden, and
Jim either refused or was unable to
contribute toward the common fund,
while the mother devoted her time al
most solely to managing Lorelei's af-
fairs. Presents were showered upon
the girl, and these Mrs. Knight con-
verted into cash. Conspicuous stage
characters are always welcome at the
prominent cafes; hence Lorelei never
had to pay for food or drink when
alone, and when escorted she received
a commission on the money spent. She
was well paid for posing: advertise
ments of toilet articles, face creams,
dentifrices, yielded, something. In the
commercial exploitation of her daugh-
ter Mrs. knight. developed something
like genius. But of all the so-called
"grafts' open to handsome girls In her
business the quickest and best returns
came from prodigal entertainers like
Jarvis Harmon.
As Lorelei and her companion left
their taxicabs and entered Proctor's g
hotel, shortly before midnight, they
were met by head waiter and shown
into an ornate ivory-and-gold elevator,
which lifted them noiselessly to an up
per floor. They made their exit into a
deep-carpeted hall, at the end of which
two splendid creatures in the panoply
of German field marshals stood guard
over one of the smaller banquet rooms
Harmon himself greeted the girls
when they had surrendered theil
wraps, and, after his introduction to
Lorelei, engaged Lilas in earnest con
versation.
Lorelei watched him curiously. She
saw powerfully built gray-haired
man, whose vigor age had not i'm
paired. In face he was perhaps fifty
years old, in body he was much less
He had bold, inclsive manner thai
was compelling and stamped him as 6
big man in more ways than one. Play
fully he pinched Lilas' cheek, ther
turned with a smile to say:
"You'll pardon us for whispering
won't you, Miss Knight? You see, Ii
las got up this little party, and I've
been waiting to consult her about some
Of the details. Awfully good of you t.
come Ihope you'll find my friends
agreeable and enjoy yourself"
Perhaps twenty men in evening
dress and as many elaborately gowne(
young women were gosslplng ant
smoking as the last corners appeared
Someone raised vigorous complain
at the hosts tardiness, but HammoI
laughed a rejoinder, then gave sig
nal, whereupon folding doors at th'
end of the room were thrown back, ant
those nearest the banquet hall move(
toward it.
Hammon was introducing two Of hi
, friends-one a languid, mlddle-aget
, man, the other large-featured person
with a rumbllng voice. The formel
3 dropped his cigarette and bowed cour
. teously. His appearance as he faced
: Lorelei was prepossessing, and sh'
breathed a thanksgiving as she tool
his arm.
> Hammon clapped the other gentle
: man upon the shoulder, crying: "Han
r nibal, saw your supper partner firt
! ing with Handsome Dan Avery. Bet
e ter find her quick"
( I.orelei recognized the deep-voicet
man as Hannibal G. Wharton, one o
e the dominant figures In the Steel syn
dicate; she knew him instantly from
e his newspaper pictures. The man be
side her, however, was stranger, ant
= she raised her eyes to his with SOM
: curiosity. He was studying her witt
manifest admiration, despite. the fac
8 that his lean features were cast in
e sardonic mold.
!. at is a pleasure to meet a celebrit,
!, like you, Miss Knight" he murmured
a As they entered the banquet hall sh
" gave a little cry Of pleasure, for it wa
evident that Harmon, noted as he wa
for lavish expenditure, had outdon
himself this time. The whole room ha'