Meade County news., 1916-12-07


Jim, with an expressionless face,
tried to speak to Lilas Lynn, who had
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 1t to the shoe
makers?" he laughed. 81 don't go out
often; you'd better spring me good"
AS they seated themselves in 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 to look well
In public, but I'd have enjoyed myself
more if 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 it now
were of a different type to those that
had gathered in 1.-THE old Proctor's."
Prices were higher here than else
where; the coatrooms were robbers
dens, infested by italian ma1Osi; tips
were extravagant and amounted In ef-
feet to ransom. But New York dearly
loves to be pilIaged. Nothing speeds
| the Manhattan sleep hater more swift
ly to a change of scene than the knowi-
edge that he Is getting his moneys
| worth.
Speaking of clothes" Jim contin-
ued, staring past his sister to another
table, there seems to be strike
breaker in the room. Pipe the gink
with the nightshirt 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 S
hand then shot sharp glance at her
escort as the girl introduced them. Ac-
cepting Jims 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
we'll with his plans. AS he finished
ordering he heard Pope say:
II was sorry the story got out, Miss
Knight; but 1t was pretty well smoth-
cred in this evenings papers. OF
course you were dragged in by the
hair to afford Roman spectacle; we
all saw what 1t meant when 1t came
to u.s."
"what did It means" queried Jim,
with brotherly interest.
"Blackmail. The word was written
all over 1t. Melcher's connection with
the affair was proof Of that; then-the
way 1t was handled! Nobody touched
it except the Dispatch, and, Of course,
1t got its price"
II thought newspapers paid for
COPY" innocently commented Jim.
Eyes. real newspapers; but the gang
had to publish the stuff somewhere. 1t
is reported that Harmon paid fifty
thousand dollars to prevent Melcher
from filing suit. dare say things will
be quiet around Tony the Barbers
now"
"You press people certainly have got
lot up your sleeves" James invol'
untary start of dlsmay 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.
"We sometimes know as much rs
the police, and we invariably tell
more" continued Pope. Eyes, a busi-
ness man can get haircut in Tony's
without fear of family complications
now. I suppose Armistead is smoking
hop; Young Sullivan is probably laying
an alcoholic foundation for wife
beating, and-the others are spending
Hammons 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 Lorelei
with the truth. Jim lost interest in
his clans and thereafter avoided con-
versation with the warlness of fox.
He was still glowing with resent
ment when Robert Wharton paused at
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
Lorelel. Noting the faint line Of an
noyance between her brows he
laughed.
Retreat is cut off," he announced,
complacently. Escape Is hopeless.
I've left orders to have the windows
barred and the doors walled up"
"EhH What's the idea?" inquired
Pope
Wharton answered sadly: "My van
ity has suffered the rudest Jolt Of its
young career; l mourn the death Of a
perfectly normal and healthy self-cOn-