Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-09-21


ance-a gloomy, watchful figure. Lo-
relief came down boldly, dressed for
the street, and, since she could not pass
| the besieger, crossed under the stage,
made her way into the orchestra pit,
and managed to leave the theater by
the front door. -.
She was waiting when Jim came
home, and followed him into his room,
where they could talk without disturb
ing their father. Lorelei made her ac-
cusation boldly, prepared for the usual
burst of anger, but Jim listened pa
tiently until she paused.
81 knewN-you had to spill this, SO i
let you rave" said he. But it's too
late; somebody has been after Ham
mon for a long time, and he's been
got-yes, and got good. Take fash
at the Chorus Girls Bible'" He
tossed his sister copy of prominent
theatrical paper. II waited until it
came out"
LoreIei gasped, for on the front page
glared black-typed headlines of the
Harmon scandal. John Merkle's name
was there, too, and, linked with it, her
own.
what is-thisY' She ran her eye
swiftly down the column.
"Sure. Melcher commenced suit
against Harmon this afternoon. Fifty
thousand dollars for alienation Of Ii
las affections. Joke, Ell? He claims
there was common-law marriage and
he'll get the coin"
"But Mrs. Harmon"
1.-THE evidence is in her hands al
ready-dates, places, photographs, ey-
erything. She'll win her suit, too"
Were you by any chance working
for Mrs. Hammonw
Divining his sisters prejudice, Jim
lied promptly and convincingly. why,
Mrs. Harmon, of course. I had
chance to turn few dollars, and /
took it."
But why did you drag me in?
Couldn't you keep me out of it? This
is dreadful" AS she ran her eye over
the article she saw that it was quite
in harmony with the general tone and
the jaded throngs of the Tenderloin.
Truth had been cunningly distorted;
flippancy, sensationalism and, sala-
cious double meaning ran through 1t
all.
Whats dreadful about it?' inquired
her brother. "That sort of advertising
does a show girl good. You've got to
make people talk about you, sis, and
this'll bring gang of high rollers your
way. You've been so blamed proper
that nobody's interested in you any
more"
For a moment Lorelei scrutinized
her brother in silence. taken aback at
his outrageous philosophy. Jim had
changed greatly, she unused; not until
very lately had she observed the full
measure of the change in him. He was
no longer the country boy, the play
mate and confidant of her youth, but a
man, sophisticated, hard, secretive. He
had been thoroughly Manhattanized,
she perceived, and he was as foreign
to her as stranger. She shook her
head hopelessly.
you're strange brother" she said.
81 hardly know what to make of you.
Has the city killed every decent in
stinct in you, Jim?''
NOW, don't begin on the Old Home
stuff" he replied, testify. "Do you
really intend to. marry bunch of
coin ~
That's the program, isn't it? I've
been raised for that and pothing else"
"Well,' ma "cah't put it over, SO
guess,its up to me-" After a moments
hes added, Would you accept Merkle?"
Lorelei shivered. "Oh-no! Not Mr.,
:: ',
'""Humphl You ought to consider the
rest OF Hs a.. little bit. Pa could be
cuEsd, mad be, happy. could get on
my feet How about Bob, Wharton?''
'"Let's. not talk about it, please. Mr..
Wharton IS getting nasty, and-I'm be- !
ginning to be. afraid of him.:
!, :".!,n bet ,yop could land hinH~-"s :.
"Please:: 1.do1i't want to think
about it. I dare say IN. bring myself
to marry. some. rich .man some day;
hut--Merkle Whartop-", She shpd-
dereds for. a SECOND time. IF Mr..
Wharton is serious this scandal will
scare him off, or else hell become
Just like the others. i could cry. He
threatened me: tonight; / don't know.
how I'll manage to avoid him tomor-
row night" r
"Hm-m! He's coming that strong,
eh?" was Jim's interested query; but
on hearing his sisters account of the
young millionaire's determined pursuit |
he volunteered in his offhand way to
assist'her So
TN come for you myself, and wells
whip over. to q cafe for supper"
"You'll save me from him. said Lo-
relief, with wan smile, land I'll know
that you are jim good company for one
evening at Ieast.' - +.
"Don't lose any: sleep '6v9r my :hab-,
it's" he. told her, lightly. ~. ;E..h
I. As. Jim and bis hrbiher :bEeakfasfsd
-. &