Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-09-01

''Her hair fascinates me; she looks
as If she had just burst out of a thicket
of henna leaves" Bergman laughed
silently. But why did she invite meT
81 told her to-"
"You?"
81 knew you'd refuse IL 1 asked
you"
so? Then I'm really your guest in
stead of hers
"We'll leave whenever you say"
Throughout the rest of the dance
Lorelei was silent, offended at Berg
mans deception and uncomfortable at
her own situation; but the hostess had
ordered a supper of the unsatisfactory
kind usual in such places; little as she
liked the prospect, she could not leave
at once.
The meal was Interrupted regularly
each time the music played, for dane
ing was more than fad in this set
1t was a serious business with which
nothing was allowed TO interfere.
There was considerable drinking,
Bergman, who devoted himself assidu-
ously to his employee, showing more
effect from it than the others. As the
night Wore on he became more and
more offensive; he grew coarse In a
sly, tentative manner, rs il feeling his
ground He changed the manner Of
his dancing, also, until Lorelel could
no longer tolerate him.
Getting tired. my dear?' he queried
when she declined to join the whirling
throng.
"Yes. I want to go"
"stil on Amsterdam avenue"
"No, I'm living alone-now."
Bergman started, his eyes bright
ened. "Ah! Then you've come to your
senses finally. Merkle fixed Itch? I
can Do more for you than Merkle can"
"Merlile?" She eyed him coolly.
"0h. play your game with strangers,
but don't put me off. Weren't You
caught with him at the Chateau? Well,
Their
"You needn't finish. I'm going home
now
He laid a OBTAINING hand upon her
arm. you never learned that speech
in one of my shows" he said, "and
you're not going to say good night to
me. Understands He grinned at her
with disgusting confidence, and she
flung off his touch. The returning
dancers offered welcome diversion.
Lorelci dreaded an open clash with
the manager, knowing that the place,
the hour and the conditions We're Ill
suited to a scene. She had learned
to smile and to consider swiftly, to
cross the thin ice Of an embarrassing
situation with light steps. Quickly
she turned to Mrs. Thompson-Bellaire.
who was bowling effuslvely to new
conner.
my word! What is Bob Wharton
doing here?' exclaimed the widow,
bob Wharton? Where?" Miss Wy
eths languor vanished electrically; she
wrenched her attention from the wire
haired fraternity man at her side. Lo-
relief felt a sense of great thanksgiving.
Mrs. Thompson Bellaire beckoned,
and Wharton came forward, his eyes
fixed gloomily upon Lorelei.
You rascal So this is how you
waste your evenings. am surprised,
but, now that we've caught you, won't
you join us?"
Wharton glanced at the four pawns
and hesitated. "It's long past nine;
I'm afraid the boys will be late for
school,"
Miss Wyeth Uttered; the sophomore
with the bristling pompadour uttered
a bark Of amusement. Meeting Bob's
questioning glance, Lorelei seconded
the invitation with nod and quick
look Of appeal, whereupon his de-
meanor changed and he drew chair
between her and Nobel Bergman, fore
ing the latter to move. His action was
pointed, almost rude. but the girl felt
surge of gratitude sweep over her
There was an interlude of idle chat
ter, then the orchestra burst into full
clamor once more. Much to the cha
grin of her escort, Lorelei rose and
danced away with the newcomer
why the distress signal?' queried
Bob.
"Mr. Bergman has-been drinking"
Rum is poison" he told her, with
mock indignation. "He must be low
Hes getting unpleasant"
"Shall take him by the nose and
run around the block?"
"You can do me favor"
He was serious in an instant. "You
were nice to me the other night I'm
sorry to see you with this fellow
"He forced---he deceived me into
coming, and he's taking advantage of
to--be nasty"
Bob missed a step, then apologzed. |
His next words were facetious, but his
tone was ugly; where do you want
he remains sent?'
"Will you wait and see that mine are
safely sent homer" She leaned back,
md her troubled twilight eyes be-
sought him.
I'm wait, never fear I've been look
ng everywhere for you. wanted to
ind you, and | didn't want to. I've
been to every cafe in town. How in
he world did you fall in with the old
1ell-cow and her calf?"
When T.oreIei had explained, he nod
led his complete understanding. "She's /
lust the sort to do a thing like that."
Wharton ignored Bergman's scowls;
lie proceeded to monopolize the mana
gers favorte with an arrogance that
secretly delighted her; he displayed the
Of one reared to selfish ex-
lctions, and his rival wrlthed under 1t.
But Bergman was slow to admit de.
lcat. Dawn was near when the crowd
and the hostess was driven
iway, leaving Lorelei at the door oil