The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1916-06-29

resents-big people. By helping me
you can serve many innocent persons
and, most Of all, perhaps, Hammer
himself"
Lorelei was silent for moment
'This is very unusual" she said al
length. II don't know whether to be
lieye you or not"
| Suppose, then, you let the matter
rest and keep your eyes open. When
you convince yourself who means best
to Jarvis-NIiss Lynn and Melcher and
their crowd, or and mine-make your
decision. You may name your own
price,
! "There wouldn't be any price," she
told him. impatiently. "I'll watt
Merkle bowed II can trust your
discretion. Thank you for listening to
me, and thank you for being agreeable
TO an irascible old dyspeptic. Will you
permit me to drive you home when
| you're ready?"
"I'm ready now"
But as Lorelei made her way unob-
| trusively toward the cloakroom she en-
cOuntered Robert Wharton, who barred
her path.
FAIRY Princess, you ran away" he
| declared. accusirgly.
I'm leaving" She saw that his in
| toxication had reached a more ad-
vanced stage. His cheeks were flushed:
his eyes were wild and unsteady.
;nI1% ;.
We'll watch it grow up"
THANK you, no. I'm going home"
"a common mistake. Others have
tried and failed" With extreme gray
ity he focused his gaze upon her, say
ing. "Home is the one place that our
mayor can't close"
She extended her hand. Good night"
Il don't understand. Speak Eng
iish."
Good night"
Wharton's countenance darkened I'M
pleasantly, and his voice was rough
"Where'd you learn that line? It's
country stuff. Well leave when I'm
ready. Now Wen have a trot."
The music was playing; other
couples were dancing. and he seized
her in his arms whirling her away In
and out among the chairs he piloted
dizzy course, while she yielded reluct-
cntly, conscious. meanwhile. that Ado
rec Demorest was watching them with
interest.
For an interval Wharton said moth
ing, then. with a change of tone, he
murmured in her ear: "D'you think I'd
let you spoil the whole night? Can't
you see Pm crazy about you?"
Lorelei cndeavored to free herself
from his embrace, but he clutched her
the tighter and laughed insolently.
Nothing like a good turkey to get
acquainted, is there? We're going to
dance till we're old folks"
She continued to struggle: they were
out of step and out Of time, but he
held her away from himself easily,
bending hot glance upon her up
turned face. She saw that he was
painting and doubly drunk with her
nearness. Don't fight. I've got you"
She was smiling family, out of habit,
but mistaking her expression, he drew
her close once more, then buried his
face in her neck and kissed her just at
the turn Of her bare shoulder.
Then she tore herself away, and his
triumphant laugh was cut short as she
slapped him resoundingly. her singing
fingers leaving their imprint on his
cheek.
Her eyes were flaming and her lips
were white with fury, though she con-
tinued to smile.
"Here! What d'you mean by that?"
he cried.
She silenced him sharply: flush!
Remember you broke in here. I'd like
to see you in that fountain"
There was a swish of garments, a
musical laugh, and Adoree Demorest
was between them.
''I'm madly jealous, Senior Roberto"
she exclaimed. "Come, you must dance
once more with me. Wen finish this.
What?" She swayed toward him in
sympathy with the music, mapping her
fingers and humming the words Of the
song.
"She-walloped me-like sailor"
the young man stammered, incoherent-
~. "She-wants to see me in the foun-
tain"
''Then jump in like a gentleman"
laughed the danseuse. "But dance
with me first She entwined her arms
about him and forced him into motion.
As she danced away she signaled over
her shoulder to Lorelei, who made
haste to seek the cloakroom.
When she emerged John Merkle was
waiting in the hall. A shout of laugh
ter echoed from the banquet hall, and
she started.
''That's nothing" Merkle told her.
"Bob Wharton is in the fountain. He
says he's a goldfish"
L.