The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-11-23

just come In. when his sister came
down after the last act. he was wait
ing at the door and helped her into a
cab, despite her protestations that she
would much prefer to walk.
what are you going to do with all
the coin you save? slip II TO the shoe
makers?' he laughed 81 don't go out
often; you'd better spring me good"
AS they seated themselves I'm the
main room at Proctor's, he appraised
her with admiring eyes. You're the
candy. sis. There's class TO that lay
out"
"It's part OF the game 10 look well
in public. but I'd have enjoyed myself
more II we had gone to Billy the
Oysterman's and dressed the part"
She surveyed the gaudy dining room.
with Its towering marble columns, its
tremendous crystal festoons. shower
ing brilliant but becoming light upon
the throngs below. then nodded here
and there to casual greetings
Proctor's was show place. built
upon the site of former resort the
fame OF which had been nationwide; );
but the crowds that frequented IL now
were Of different type TO those that
had gathered in "the old Proctor's."
Prices were higher here than else
where; the coatrooms were robbers
dens, infested by Italian mafiosl; tips
were extravagant and amounted in ef-
| feet to ransom. But New York dearly
loves TO be plllaged. Nothing speeds
the Manhattan sleep hater more swift
ly to a change of scene than the knowl-
edge that he Is getting his moneys
worth.
speaking of clothes" Jim contin-
ucd, staring past his sister to another
table. there seems to be strike
breaker in the room. Pipe the gink
with the nlghtshlrt under his coat and
the shoestring tie. There must be a
masquerade Say He's bowling to
you"
Hush! It's Campbell Pope, the
critic"
Mr.. Pope had risen and was SLOUGH
ing toward them. He took Lorelei's
hand. then shot a sharp glance at her
|
cepting Jim's mumbled invitation, he
seated himself and instructed waiter
to bring his coffee. Jim watched the
nearest entrance with some anxiety,
for the reviewers presence did not at
well with his plans. As he finished
ordering he heard Pope say:
81 was sorry the story got out, Miss
y mt h,,t 1.
cred in this evenings papers. OF
course you were dragged in by the
hair to afford a Roman spectacle; we
all saw what 1t meant when 1t came
to u.s."
"What did It meanT queried Jim,
with brotherly interest.
"Blackmail. The word was written
all over II. Melcher's connection with
the affair was proof OF that; then-the
way 1t was handled! Nobody touched
1t except the Dispatch, and, Of course,
II got its price"
II thought newspapers paid for
copy" innocently commented Jim.
"Yes. real newspapers; but the gang
had to publish the stun somewhere. 1t
is reported that Hammon paid fifty
thousand dollars to prevent Melcher
from filing suit. dare say things will
be quiet arClld Tony the Barber's
now"
You press people certainly have got
lot up your sleeves" James invol-
untary start of dismay did not pass
unnoticed. He did not relish the CLEAN
in Pope's eyes, and he hastily sought
refuge in a goblet of water, notwith-
standing his distaste for the liquid.
1--WE sometimes know as much as
the police. and we invariably tell
more" continued Pope. "Yes. a bust.
ness man can get a haircut in Tony's
without fear of family complications
now. suppose Armistead Is smoking
hop; Young Sullivan is probably laying
ar alcoholic foundation for a wife
beating, and-the others are spending
Hammon's money In the cafes"
Jimmy knight paled, for behind
Pope's genial smile were both mockery
and contempt; panic swept him lest
this fellow should acquaint Lorelel
with the truth. Jim lost interest In
his clans and thereafter avoided con.
versatlon with the wariness of a fox
He was still glowing with resent.
ment when Robert Wharton paused al
the table and greeted its occupants
cheerily. In response to Jlm's invita-.
ton Bob drew up a fourth chair, seat.
ed himself. and began to beam upon
Lorelei. Noting the faint line OF an.
noyance between her brows, he
laughed.
Retreat is cut on" he announced
complacently. Escape Is hopeless
I've left orders to have the windows
barred and the doors walled up"
'Eh? What's the ideaT inquired
Pope.
Wharton answered sadly: my van
lty has suffered the rudest jolt of It's
young career; mourn the death OF O
perfectly normal and healthy self-con
celt, age twenty-nine. Services al
noon; friends and relatives only"
"ohol You've heard the seductive
song OF the Rhine maidenT Pope's