Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-09-28

IcV HUT s0SetunteS ucs sue. FtOkS
as it she had Just bursr out Of thicket
of henna leaves.1 Bergman laughed.
silently. ''Rut why did she invite meg
II told her to.
s.Yous" .
Il knew you'd refuse IL asked
you
SOP Then I'm really your guest In
stead of hers"
Wen leave whenever you say"
Throughout the rest OF the dance
I.orelei was silent, offended ut Berg.
mans deception. And uncomfortable at
her own situation; hut 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 a fad in this set
1t was serious business with which
nothing. was allowed to interfere.
There was considerable drinking.
Bergman. who devoted himself assidu-
omsly, to his employee. showing more
effect from 1t than the others. Az the
night wore. on he became more and
more offensive; he grew coarse in
sly. tentative manner. as if feeling his
ground. He changed the manner of
his dancing. also, until I.orelei could.
no longer tolerate him.
'setting tired. my DEAR" he queried,
when she declined to Join the whirling
tllrong.
Yes. 1 want to go"
''Still on Amsterdam avenue?"
No. FmAliving salone-now.'
Bergman started. his eyes bright
ened. "Ah! Then you've come to your
senses finally. AIerkle fixed it--eh?
can do more for you than Merkle can"
"AIerkle?" She eyed him coolly.
':ph. play your game with strangers.
but don't put me Off. Weren't you
caught with him at the Chateau? Well.
then"
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. Understand" He grlnned ut her
with disgusting confidence. and she
flung Off his touch. The returning
dancers offered welcome diversion.
Lorelei dreaded an open clash with
the manager. knowing that the place.
the hour and the conditions were Ill
suited to 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 hOwing etfusively to a new
conner
MY word. What Is Rob Wharton
doing here.' exclaimed the widow
bob Wharton? Where:" Miss Wy
eth's languor vanished electrically: she
wrenched her attention from the wire
haired fraternity man mt her side. Lo-
relief felt sense OF great THANKSGIVING.
Mrs. Thompson Belaire beckoned,
and Wharton came forward. his eyes
fixed gloomily upon Lorelei
You rascal. SO this Is how yon
waste your evenings. am surprised.
but. now that we've caught you, won't
you join ns!''
Wharton glanced at the four pawns
and hesitated. ITS long past nine:
I'm afraid the boys will be late for
school,
Miss Wyeth Uttered; the sophomore
with the bristlihg pompadour uttered
a bark of Amusement. Meeting Bob's
questioning glance. Iorelei seconded
the invitation with nod and a quick
look Of appeal, whereupon his de-
meanor changed and he drew a chair
between her ard Nobel Bergman. fore
ing tile latter to move. His action was
pointed. almost rude. but the girl felt
a surge of gratitude sweep over her
There was an interlade of idle chat
ter. then the orchestra burst into full
clamor once more Much to the cha
grin OF her escort, Loreei 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
person
He's getting unpleasant"
Shall l take him by the nose and
run aI*,tnd 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--lle deceived ME into
coming. and he's taking advantage Of
conditions to--be nasty"
Bob missed a step, then apologized.
His next words were facettous. but his
tone was ugly: Where do you want
the remains sent!''
"Will you wait and see that mine are
safely sent home? She leaned back,
and her troubled twilight eyes be-
sought him
'.I'll wait. never fear I've been look
ing everywhere for you. / wanted to
find you. and didn't want to. I've
been TO every cafe in town. How in
the world did you fall i'll with the old
bell-cow and her ealf:''
When Lorelei had explained. he nod
ded his complete understanding she's
just the sort to do II thing like that
Wharton ignored Bersman's seowls;
he proceeded to monopolize the mana
gers fayorlte with an arrogance that
secretly delighted her: lie Displayed tile
assurance Of one reared to selfish ex-
actions. and his rivai writhed under it..