The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-11-02

beasts. That whole party was sordid
and mean--old men drinking with girls
and paving them over. Mr.. Merkle
was the only nice one there" The
mother was dismayed to feel her
daughter shlver.
GOOD Lord! You people make me
sick" cried Jim, rising and making for
his room. "Anybody'd think you'd
been insulted."
When he had gone Mrs. knight |
asked. accusingly:
"Lorelei. are you in lover"
"No. why2"
you've said some queer things late
ly. You've worried me. | hope you'll
never be tempted to do anything SO
TO be foolish. l don't intend TO let you
make n mess OF things by marrying
some chorus man. When the right per-
son comes along you'll accept him, then
you'll never have TO worry again. But
you must be careful"
"Do you think I'd be happy with a
man like Mr.. whartonT"
"why not2 You'd at least be rich,
and II rich people can't be happy, who
CAM II you accepted some poor boy
he'd probably turn out TO be drunk
ard and loafer, just like Wharton Is
now" She sighed. "Id like to see
you settled; we could take Peter TO a
specialist. and maybe he could be
cured. We could go abroad and get
the help OF those German surgeons.
I've always wanted TO travel"
| When Lorelei reached the theater
that evening she found Lilas Lynn en-
tertainlng caller who had been more
than once in her thoughts during the
day. Miss Lynn's visitor was we'll
tailored man who gave first impress
sion OF extreme physical neatness. He
was immaculate I'm attire, his skin was
fine, his color fresh; pair OF small,
imperturbable eyes were set In smil'
ing face beneath a prematurely gray
head. Max Melcher was a figure on
Broadway; he had the entree to all the
stage doors; he frequented the popular
cafes, where he surrounded himself
with men. Always affable, usually al
leisure. invariably obllging. he had
many friends.
At Lorelei's entrance he smiled and
nodded without rising then continued
his earnest conversation with Miss
Lynn. None OF their words were nu
dible to the last conner until MelcheI
rose to leave: then Lilas halted hin
with a nervous laugh. saying:
Remember, II II doesn't go, It's I
joke, and l run to cover"
at will CO." he told her, quietly, Al
he strolled out.
what are you two planningT in
i quired Lorelei.
"Nothing. Max drops in regularly
he used to be sweet on me-" Lila
I completed her makeup, then fidgete,
nervously. "Geer' she presently ex
claimed, I'm tired OF this business
We're fools to stay in It, Think O
o Atlantic City on night like this, O
the mountains. This heat has con
y pletely unstrung me-" She rummage
through the confusion on her tabl'
IL then inquired Of the dresser, "Crof
where are my white glovesT
"They haven't come back from tn
cleaners" Mrs. Croft answered.
e mot back? Then you didn't sen
them when told you. You're gettln
a altogether shlftless, Croft. When
y tell you to do thing want 1t done
y II hope l drop dead if"
Is 81 hope you do" snapped the indiI
N nant girl 81 told you to attend
IL them; now I've nothing but sole
ones"
The dresser began to weep silentl
3 She was a small, timid old woma
u upon whose manifest need OF emplo
u ment Lorelel had taken pity some tin
ls before. Her forgetfulness had lor
r. been a trial to both her employers.
no That's right; turn on the noo
gates" Knocked Lilas. you stop tn
sniyeling or I'll give you something
GU cry for. I'm nervous enough etonig
ne without having you in Mysteries. r
~ member, II 1t ever happens again you
he go-and you'll take something wi
you TO think about" Selling the clea
H. est pair of gloves at hand, she fiui
n out OF the room In fine fury.
~ "You won't let her-fre me7 l ne
;" work, I do" quavered Mrs. Croft.
!. "Now, now. Don't mind her temp'
-. You know Lilas is excitabie."
70 "Excitable" Croft wiped red ey
with a corner OF her apron. us tn
=. what you call 1t? I'll be glad II b
~ millionaire takes her out OF the bu
ness. like she thinks he will. Pc
y man! He's laying up trouble for hi
eu self, that he is. She'll land him in I
u! divorce court-with her fash-light pl
ss. tographs."
mo- Lorelei swung around from her m
Ter ror. what do you meanT
We "Oh, l heard her and that Jew--tt
All Maxey Melcher. They've got a pl
irs tographer and witnesses. Your brott
is one of EN-"
ia "Jim? what"
ou "It's true. It's bad crowd Mis-
ou Jlm's in with. And there's somethi
We big In the air. Millions 1t is. And
saying she'll box my ears. The hus
ing I've heard 'em talking before tonigh