The Arvada enterprise., 1917-02-08

Bob Wharton hasn't bothered me this
evening"
Jim. with an expresslonless face.
tried to speak to Lias Lynn, who had
just come In. When his sister came
down after the last act, he was wait
ing at the door and helped her into a
cab, despite her prOtestations that she
would much prefer to walk.
what are you going to do with all
the coin you save? Slip 1t to the shoe.
makers?" he laughed. II don't go out
often; you'd better spring me good"
| AS they seated themselves in the
main room at Proctor's, he appraised
| her with admiring eyes. You're the
candy, sis. There's class to that lay
out"
ITS part Of the game to look well
in public, but I'd have enjoyed myself
| more Il we had gone to Billy the
| Oysterman's and dressed the part"
She surveyed the gaudy dining room,
with its towering marble columns, It's
| tremendous crystal festoons. shower
Ing brilliant but becoming light upon
and there to casual greetings
Proctor's was show place, built
upon the site OF former resort the
fame Of which had been nation wide !;
but the crowds that frequented it now
were Of n different type to those that
had gathered In ''the old Proctor's."
Prices were higher here than else
where; the coatrooms were robbers
dcns, infested by Italian mafiosl; tips
were extravagant md amounted in eff
feet to ransom. But New York dearly
loves to be pillaged. Nothing speeds
the Manhattan sleep hater more swift
ly to change of scene than the knowl-
worth.
Speaking OF Clothes" Jim contln-
ued, staring past his sister to another
table, there seems to be a strike
breaker in the room. Pipe the gink
with the nightshirt under his coat and
the shoestring tie. There must be
masquerade Say! He's bowling to
you"
Hush! It's Campbell Pope. the
critic"
Mr.. Pope had risen and was SLOUGH
ing toward them. He took Lorelei's
hand. then shot sharp glance at her
escort as the girl introduced them. Ac-
cepting Jim's mumbled invitation, he
seated himself and instructed waiter
to bring his coffee. Jim watched the
nearest entrance with some anxiety,
for the reviewers presence did not at
well with his plans. As he finished
ordering he heard Pope say:
II was sorry the story got out. Miss
Knight; but it was pretty well smoth-
cred in this evenings papers. OF
course you were dragged In by the
hair TO afford n Roman spectacle; we
all saw what 1t meant when 1t came
to u.s."
"What did It meanT querled Jim.
with brotherly interest.
"Blackmail. The word was written
all over It. Melcher's connection with
the affair was proof Of that; then-the
way 1t was handled! Nobody touched
1t except the Dispatch. and, Of course,
1t got Its price"
II thought newspapers paid for
copy" innoccntly commented jim.
Yes. real newspapers. but the gang
had to publish the stun somewhere. 1t
Is reported that HammoC paid fifty
thousand dollars to prevent Melcher
from filing suit. dare say things will
be quiet around Tony the Barber's
now"
You press people certainly have got
n lot up your sleeves" James invol-
untary start OF dlsmay did not pass
unnotlccd. He did not relish the glcam
In ropc's eyes. and he hastily sought
refuge in goblet OF water, notwith-
standing his distastc for the liquid.
1--WE sometimes know as much as
the police, and we Invariably tell
more" continued Pope. "Yes, n busi-
ness man cnn get haircut in Tony's
without fear OF family complications
now. suppose Armistead Is smoking
hop; Young Sullivan is probably laying
an alcoholic foundation for wife
beating. and-the others are spending
IIammon's money in the cafes"
Jimmy knight palcd. for behind
ropcs genial smile were both mockcry
and contempt; n panic swept him lest
this fellow should acquaint Lorcei
with the truth. Jim lost interest In
his clans and thereafter avoided con-
vcrsation with the warness OF fox.
He was stlll glowing with resent.
mcnt when Robert Wharton paused at
the table and greeted Its occupants
chccrily. In response TO Jlm's invita-
ton Bob drew up fourth chair. seat
ed himself, and began TO beam upon
LorclcI. Noting the faint line OF an
noy0ncc between her brows. he
laughed.
Retreat is cut on" he announced.
complaccntly Escape Is hopeless.
I've left orders to have the windows
barred and the doors walled up"
"Ehf what's the idca?" inquired
Pope.
Wharton answered sadly: "My van.
ty has suffered the rudcst jolt OF l,si
young career, mourn the death OF Il
at a.,