Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-06-05

certain pity Tor MN. Win hoUert |
Wharton liquor intensified Il natura! !
agrceableness until it clOyed. His |
amenities were monstrously magnified: +,
he became convivial TO the point of Of |
fensveness. In the course of this |
metamorphosis he was many things,
and through such cycle he worked to-
night while the gil looked on.
Overcoming his niggardly instincts,
Jimmy Knight, as the evening pro-
crossed. assumed the burden Of enter
tainment. He, too, adopted a spend
thrift gayety and encouraged Whar-
tons lbations, although he drank little
himself
There came time when Bob could
no longer dance-when, in fact he
could barely walk--and then it was
that Jim proposed leaving. Bob read
| ily agreed-having reached a condition
! OF melowness where he agreed enthn-
/ siastically to anything-and Lorelei
was only too glad to depart. She had
witnessed the pitiful breaking down of
/ Bobs faculties with a curious blending
/ OF concern and dismay, but her pro
tests had gone unheeded. Having had
a glimpse of his real self earlier in the
evening, and being wise in the ways Of
intemperance. she felt only pity for
him now MS the three made their way
downstairs.
While Jim went in search of their
belongings. Bob propped himself
against the wall and regarded her adj
miringly through eyes that were filmed
and unfocusable.
FAIRY princess. you are more ador-
able every minute" he said, thickly.
"Yes! A thousand yeses. And I'm
your little friend, eh? No more slaps,
no more mysterious exits, what?"
"That depends upon you"
I'm behaving finely" he Wanted.
81 usually act much worse than have
tonight but like you. like you diff
) ferently Not like the
other girls. You're so beautiful! Makes
me dizzy. You forgive my little joke
eh?"
, what joker"
Meeting you the way did tonight.
Jin's nice boy--obliged to him."
~ see. Then it was all planned"
He nodded vehemently and nearly
, lost his balance.
How muchdid you pay him?" Lo-
relief queried, with difficulty.
} Mr.. Wharton waved his hand in a
magnificent gesture. whats money,
anyhow? Somebody's bound to get it."
, Fifty dollars?"
, He looked at her reproachfully
! "That's an insult to Jim-he's bust
. ness man, he is. More than that Oh,
| yes. and I'll take care Of him again
, this very night I'll stake him. He
knows place"
. xviii you do me fayor?' she asked
! after pause.
Wharton assured her with abnormal
emphasis that her lightest wish was
| law.
: "Then go straight home from here .
2 she pleaded.
I ~ say, that's not fair" Bob looked
r ludicrously shocked. Il promised jim
, Wouldn't have me break sacred
promise, would you? We're expected
4 little game all arranged where VIZ
0 can bust it quick. If you hear lout
a noise--that'll be Melcher going broke.
{ "Melcherv' Loreei looked sharply
r at her brother, who was approaching
u with her wraps, and noted that he was
A perfectly sober. A moment later sht
Y checked Bob in the act Of giving di
J. rections to the cab driver:
). "Wait. Where do you live, Mr.
o Wharton?'
n "The Charlevoix." 1t was the mos
l. expensive bachelor apartment bulldn,
n in the city.
It "Drive to the Charlevoix," she toll
J, the chauffeur
& Hold on, SIS" cried Jim. "We'r
l. going to take you home first"
n mo"
d "But--" Jim saw in his sisters fac
t. something that brought smothere,
It oath to his lips. Drawing her out o
" hearing, he muttered, angrily, Min
: your own business; I've got somethin
y on"
:. II know you have" She met hi
: eyes unilinchingly. But you shan
y rob him."
! Jim thrust his thin face close to hers
:. and she saw that It was distorted wit
" rage. "If you don't want to 90 home
8 stay here. He's going with me-
"We'll see"
i. She turned, but nc seized her rough
!, ly. what are you going to do?' h
% demanded.
I'm going to tell him he's ben
~ taken to a crooked gambling hous,
x ind that you're working for Max Me
re cher. He isn't too drunk to undc
" stand that
" Her brother clcnched his fist mena
C. ingly. but abe did not rccoil, and b
d. thought better of his impulse.
a "Are you grand-standlngf' nc que
led. brutality. Are you stuck on Il
ut boob? or do you want your btu"
q + Without reply she walked back
" the cab. 'redlrcctcd the driver to Il
10 a. s4-A--- .4.--~-