The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-11-30
Bergman says Mrr. 1nompsoo.p.,

Mercy! Mrs. Thompson Belalre, the
college boys giddy godmother," Lllas
Knocked. 81 suppose she's out sIum.
ming, with her kindergarten class"
slosson frowned at this levlty. "wll.
you goT" he inquired. "Yes or no?"
"Um-m-I'll have to say yes, II
seems"
Good I'll phone Bergman"
When the press agent had gone Lllas
regarded her companion with open
compassion. Gee! But you're going
TO have grand time. That bunch
thinks It's smart to be seen with show
people, and of course they'll dance all
night"
And l 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 YER
milion-haired widow with a chest like
n blacksmith, who had become famous
for her Jewels and her social eccen-
trlcitles. She and her party were es-
tablished Mt one OF the uptown "Trot-
torres" when Nobel Bergman and Io-
| relei arrived. Three examples OF
blushlng boyhood devoted themselves
to languid blonde girl of thlrty-five.
and the hostess herself was dancing
with another tender youth, but she
came forward. painting.
80 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. Alice?"
very" Alice agreed, without remov-
Ing her eyes from the youth at her left.
Bergman invited Lorelel to finish the
dance; then he inquired, what do you
think OF herr"
'Her hair fascinates me; she looks
as II sAe had Just burst out OF n thlcket
OF henna leaves" Bergman laughed.
silently. But why did she invite mel"
II told her to-"
"YouT"
~ knew you'd refuse II I 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 at
her own situation; but the hostess had
ordered n supper of the unsatisfactory
kind usual in such places; little as shs
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 a serious business with which
nothing was allowed to interfere.
There was considerable drinking.
Bergman, who devoted himself assidu-
ously to his employee, showing more
effect from II than the others. As the
night wore on he became more and
more offensive; he grew coarse In n
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 dear?" he querled
when she declined to Join the whlrling
throng.
"Yes. I want to CO."
"Still on Amsterdam avenue3"
mo, I'm living alone-now."
Bergman started, his eyes bright
ened. "Ah! Then you've come to your
senses finally. Merkle fixed it-eh?
can do more for you than Merkle can"
"Merkle?" She eyed him coolly.
"Oh, play your game with strangers,
but don't put me Off. Weren't you
caught with him at the Chateauf Well,
then"
"You needn't finish. I'm going home
now."
He laid 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 grinned at 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 III
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 bowling effuslvely to a new
conner.
"My word! What Is Bob Wharton
doing here?" exclaimed the widow.
Bob Wharton2 wheref" Miss wy
eth's languor vanished electrically; she
wrenched her attention from the WIRE
haired fraternity man at her side. Ls-
relei felt sense of great thanksgiving.
Mrs. Thompson-Be beckoned,
and Wharton came forward, his eyes
fixed gloomily upon Lorelei.
"You rascal! SO this is how you
waste your evenings. l am surprised,
but, now that we've caught you, won't
you join usf'
Wharton glanced at the four pawns
and hesitated. "It's long past nine;