The Arvada enterprise., 1917-01-25
Harmon listened pdeny. then broke

Harmon listened ohefy, then broke
out:
Nonsense. I'd stake my life on her.
Why, she's prostrated. It's either pure
blackmail, or It's my wife's woEii,
She's had detectives on me for Soma
time" Merkle murmured something
more. "Oh, come now! l know what
I'm talking about, and l won't stand
for that" cried Hammon.
Merkle shrugged; his next words
were audible, and they were both
sharp and inclsive.
'"The harms done. They got away
clean. Now we've got to kill the story
and kill 1t quick In case they intend
1t for the papers,
"My God! Newspapers--at this
time" groaned the other. ut couldn't
be worse"
Right. We must move fast. IL
your car here?"
"Yes."
"Get 1t. Well 60 in with you. I
had an accident to mine"
You'll see for yourself you're
wrong-about the other" Harmon
jerkcd his head meaningly toward the
house. then strobe away to order bis
motor.
Merkle favored his young companion
with a wintry smile.
at seems we're too late"
Lorelei nodded silently. Don't tell
him who-spoke to us out there. Not
yet, at least. I-can't see him 20 to
JAIL"
"Jal? There won't be any Jail to
this-there never is. Jarvis will have
to settle for the sake of the rest Of
u.s."
Hammon's limousine rolled in under
the porte e-cochere. and moment later
the owner appeared with Lilas.
Lorelei stared Mt her friend in genu.
inc surprise, for 1t was obvious that
Lilas was deeply agitated. Her face
was swollen with weeping; she verged
upon hysteria. No sooner were the
four in the car and under way than
she broke down, sobbing wretchedly.
ITS all my fault. l might have
known he was up to something; but
ulull tuiuh ue u udTc- SIG lluuaSeU
| to say.
He? Who" Merkle asked her.
MAX Melcher. He as much as told
me. II hadn't been a fool I'd have
guessed. but he Oh. I could kill
myself!' She burst into stransllna
sobs and hysteric laughter.
"Why did you let him come to the
dressing room?" Lorelei inquired.
Hes been doing 1t for years. I've
always-known him. We were-en.
gagged"
Harmon verified this. 'That's right.
They were engaged when l met her.
She didn't know the sort Of rutiian he
is till I proved 1t. She's afraid OF
him, and he knows It."
81 tried to break with him, but he
wouldn't let me, and I've had to be
nice to him. He'd have murdered me
II l."
ROT" Merkle exclaimed, testify.
"Rot, eh?" Jarvis answered. Hes
done as much. more than once; but he's
so powerful that nobody can get him.
iie hihs vi "uiu, He htepS
gang OF gunmen on the East side,
and he's the worst thug in the city"
Harmon soothed his charmer in his
clumsy. elephantlne way. showing
that, despite Merkle's recent insinua.
tons, he still trusted her. This Is the
only woman who ever cared for me,
John" he explained, after some hest.
tatlon. "and we're going to stick to-
gether. We have no secrets"
Your little Fifth avenue establish.
ment rather complicates matters.
doesn't It? What are you going to do
about that?" Merkle inquired.
This thlng-tonight-is likely to
settle the matter for me. You know
the kind OF home life I've led for TWEEN.
ty years. and you know wouldn't re.
grct any change. When a man goes
ahead and his wife stands still the
right and wrong OF what either chooses
to do Is hard to settle. At any rate. IL
has ceased to concern me. I want Q
few years OF happiness and compan.
ionship before l die. I'm selhsh-I'u
pay the price"
They rode on In silence.