Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-06-23

breathed a Thanksgiving as che tool
his arm.
Harmon clapped the other gentle
man upon the shoulder, crying: Han
nibal. saw your supper partner firt
ing with Handsome Dan Avery. Bet
ter find her quick
I.orelsi recognized the deep-voicet
man as Hannibal c. Wharton, one Of
the dominant figures In the Steel syn
dictate; she knew him instsn tly from
his newspaper pictures. The man be
side her, however, was a stranger, and
she raised her eyes to his with some
curiosity. He was studying her witt
manifest admiration, despite the fact
that his lean features were cast in Z
sardOnic mold.
ut Is a pleasure to meet a celebrity
like You. Miss Knight" he murmured
As they entered the banquet hall sht
gave little cry Of pleasure. for It was
evident that Harmon, noted as he wal
for lavish expenditure, had outdont
himself this time. The whole room had
been transformed into a bower Of
roses. great, climbing bushes, heavy
with blooms. The table. a horseshoe
Of silver and white, Of glittering plate
and sparkling cut glass, faced a rustic
stage which occupied one end of the
room; occupying the inner arc of the
half-circle was wide but shallow
stone fountain, upon the surface Of
which noated large-leaved Egyptian
pond lilies. Fat.bellied goldfish with
fllmy fms, and tails Ike iridescent wed
ding trains, propelled themselves indo
lently about.
But the surprising feature Of the dec
Grating scheme was not apparent al
first glance. Through the bewilde1nl
riot Of greenery had been woven an al
most Invisible netting, and the space
behind formed a prison for birds and
butterflies. Disturbed by the commo
ton. the fes thered creatures twittered
and futtered against the netting In Q
panic. As for the butterflies, no arti
hcial lisht could deceive them, ant
they chung with closed wings to leavei
and branches. only now and then dis
playing their full glory In a sleepy pro
test
"How-beautlful!' gasped Lorelei
when she had taken In the whole
scene. "But-the poor little things
are frightened" She looked up to tint
her companion staring in HammOni
direction with an expression Of pecul
lar. derislye amusement.
Harmon was the center Of an ad
miring group; congratulations were be
ing hurled at him from every quarter
At his side was Lilas Lynn, very dark
very striking, very extensively gownet
and slaborately be1eweled. The room
was DINING with the strains of al
Invisible orchestra and the vocal up
roar. Becoming conscious Of Lorelei'.
gaze, her escort looked down, showing
his teeth In a grin that was not Of
pleasure.
You like it?" he asked.
ITS beautiful, but-the extrava
gance Is almost criminal"
Don't tell me how many starving
newsboys or how many poor families
the cost of this supper would support
for year. I hate poor people, Now
for the ortolans and the humming
bird tongues. No doubt there's pear
In every winecup Prepare to have
your palate tickled with feather
when your appetite nags,'
THAT'S what the Romans did, isn't
TT"
Are you a student as well as an
artist, Miss Knight"
81 thought you were going to be
pleasant, but you're not are your
Lorelei was smilingly hxedly. I'm
afraid you don't intend to have a good
time. Mr." They had found Their
places al the table, and Lorelei's escort
was seating her. Il didn't catch your
name when we were introduced
Nor l." said he, taking his place be-
side her. ut sounded like Rice Curry
or some other dish, but it's really Mer'
kle--John 4. Merkle."
"Ah! You're banker. Aren't you
pretty-reckless confessing your rank
as 1t were?'
I'm bachelor; also an invalid and
an insomniac. You couldn't bring me
any more trouble than have" Again
he looked toward Harmon, and this
time he frowned. From indications
III soon have company. however"
Indeed. Is there talk Of a divorce
there?' She inclined her head in the
hosts direction,
STerkle retorted acidly: my dear
child, don't try to act the ingenue
You're In the same show az Miss Lynn
and you must know what's going on
This sort of thing can't continue indefi
nitely, for Mrs. Harmon 10 very much
alive, to say nothing Of her daughters
Let's be natural, at least. l haven't
slept lately, and I'm not patient enough
10 be polite.
Its a bargain. I'll try to be 81
disagreeable as you are" said Lorelei
and slr. Merkle sisnif1ed his prompt
acQuiescence He liz huge mono.
grammed cigarette, pushed aside his
hors d'oeuvres, and reluctantly turned
down his array Of wlneglasses one BY
one.
Cant eat, can't drink, can't sleep
he grumbled. "stewed prunes and rice
for my portion. Waiter, bring me 9
bottle OF vichy, and when it's gone
bring me another"
The diners had arranged themselves
by now; the supper had begun. A DO
hemian spirit prevailed; the ardor Of
the men, dashed On by laughter, co
quetry and smiles. rose quickly; wine
A.