Meade County news., 1916-12-14


Mercy! Mrs. Thompson Bellaire, the
college boys giddy godmother," Lilas
Knocked. II suppose she's out slum-
ming, with her kindergarten class"
Slosson frowned at this levity. "Wlll.
you go?" he inquired. "Yes or no?"
"Um-m-I'll have to say yes It
seems"
Good. I'll phone Bergman"
When the press agent had gone LIias
regarded her companion with open
compassion. Gee! But you're going
to have a grand time. That bunch
thinks it's smart to be seen with show
people, and of course they'll dance all
night"
"And did so want to go straight
back to my new home" When she
Joined her employer after the show she
was in no very agreeable frame Of
mind.
Mrs. Thompson-Bellaire was a YER
millon-haired widow with chest like
blacksmith, who had become famous
for her jewels and her social eccen-
tricities. She and her party were es-
tablished at one of the uptown 'Trot-
tolres," when Nobel Bergman and Lo-
relei arrived. Three examples Of
blushlng boyhood devoted themselves
to languid blonde girl Of thirty-five,
and the hostess herself was dancing
with another tender youth, but she
came forward, painting.
$50 good of you to come, dear" she
cried. "This is Miss Wyeth, and these
are my boys, Mr." She spoke four
meaningless names, and four mean
ingless smiles responded; four wet
combed heads were bowed. She turned
to her blonde companion, saying "She
is pretty, isn't she, AliceT
Very" Alice agreed, without remov-
ing her eyes from the youth at her left.
Bergman invited Lorele to finish the
dance; then he inquired, "What do you
think of herr"
"Her hair fascinates me;r she looks
as II she had just burst out Of q thlcket
of henna leaves" Bergman laughed,
silently. "But why did she invite meY
II told her to-"
"You"
"T knew you'd refuse II asked
you"
80? 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 az
her own situation; but the hostess had
ordered n supper of the unsatisfactory
kind usual In such places; little as shG
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 serious business with whicE
nothing was allowed to interfere
There was considerable drinking
Bergman, who devoted himself assidu.
ously to his employee, showing more
effect from 1t than the others. AS the
night wore on he became more anc
more offensive; he grew coarse In q
sly, tentative manner, as II feeling his
ground. He changed the manner of
his dancing, also, until Lorelei could
no longer tolerate him.
Getting tired, my dear2" he quered,
when she declined to join the whirIing
throng.
Eyes. I want to CO."
"Still on Amsterdam avenue%
mo, I'm living alone-now."
Bergman started, his eyes bright
ened. "Ah! Then you've come to your
senses finally. Merkle fixed Itch?
can do more for you than Merkle can"
"Merkle" She eyed him coolly.
"0h, play your game with strangers
but don't put me of. Weren't you
caught with him at,the ChateauP 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 at her
with disgusting confidence, and she
flung Off his touch. The returning
dancers offered a welcome diversion.
LOrelei dreaded an open clash with
the manager, knowing that the place,
the hour and the conditions were Ill
suited to a scene. She had learned
10 smile and to consider swiftly, to
ross the thin Ice of an embarrassing
with light steps. Quickly
'he turned to Mrs. Thompson-Bellaire,
who was bowling effuslvely to a new
,omer.
"My word! What is Bob Wharton
ioing herep exclaimed the widow.
"Bob Wharton? Where?" Miss Wy
this languor vanished electrically; she
yrenched her attention from the wire
laired fraternity man at her side. LS-
elei felt sense Of great thanksgiving.
Mrs. Thompson Bellaire beckoned,
md Wharton came forward, his eyes
lxed gloomily upon Lorelei.
you rascal! So this is how you
waste your evenings. am surprised,
tut, now that we've caught you, won't
'ou join us?"
Wharton glanced at the four pawns