Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-03


sfve hall that bisected the building.
then out upon stately balustraded
stone terrace. where, in the grateful
shade of gaudy awnings, dozen
peoplc were chatting at tea tables.
Mrs. Fennell. the hostess. PLAIN
faced, dumpy young matron, welcomed
the newcomers. then made .Lorelei
known. AS for Bob, he needed no in
Productions: a noisy outburst greeted
him. and I.0relei's heart warmed ut
the welcome.
4 few moments Of chatter, then she
and Bob were led into the house again
and up to COOL wide bedroom. AS
Iorelei removed her motor coat ara
bonnet she, exclaimed, breathlessly:
"What a gorgeous house. And those
people. They weren't the least bit
formal"
Bob laughed "Formality is about
the last thing they're famous for.
There's liable to be too much lnfor-
mality.. Say. You made those danes
loo. like the Monday morning wash
ladies' parade. knew you would.
you said this.wa the younger set
but that awful Thompson-Bellare wild
ow is here. and that blonde girl met
] with her.
"Alice Wyeth?'
/ Eyes. thought she was going to
kiss you"
Bob grinned. $50 did I. She will,
too. II she feels like It,"
won't you have anything to say
about IT."
what could | say? Alice does just
as she likes. So does everybody else.
! for that matter. I've never gone in for
this sort of thing very much
After a moment Lorelci ventured, II
suppose they're all hard drinkers"
"That wasn't spring water you saw
! In their glasses"
"Are going to-" Lorelei eyed
him anxiously
II can't very well make myself con
splcuous by refusing everything; |
don't want to look like a zebra in a
henyard-anl a cocktail before dinner
wouldn't hurt anybody Noting his
wife's expression, he kissed her lightly.
"Now don't spoil your first party by
worrying over me Just forget you're
married and have good time
Music greeted them as they descend
cd the stairs, and they found some OF
the guests dancing to the strains OF
a giant orchestrion built into the mu-
sic room. Hayman promptly seized
upon Lorele and whirled her away,
but not before she saw the Wyeth
blonde making for Bob as an eagle
makes for its prey.
Guests continued to arrive from
time to time: some from Westchester
and the Connecticut shore, others
from neighboring estates. One couple
in riding clothes, out for gallop. dis
mounted and stayed for a trot. The
huge tiled terrace began to resemble
a Broadway the dansant.
There was more freedom. more VI
vaclty than Lorelei was accustomed to-
even IN the gayest downtown resorts
the fun was swift and hilarious. there
was great deal Of drinking Bob
after manful struggle against his
desires and a frightened resistance
to the advances Of Miss Wyeth, had
fed to the billiard room.
Lorelei became interested in watch
Ing Miss Courtenay. the Girl In the rid.
ing habit, one of the seasons debu.
tantes. who, 1t seemed. was especially
susceptible to the influence of liquor
Iorelci was glad when it came time
to dress for dinner AS she went tc
her room Mrs. Fennell stopped her on
the stairs to say:
1 my dear, Elizabeth Courtenay was
frantlcally jealous Of you
"Of me? don't understand"
"She and Bert are great friends
and he's gone perfectly daft over you
Why. he's telling everybody" Lorelc
flushed to the evident amusement OF
her hostess, who ran on "Oh, Bert
means 1t! never heard him rave so
Quite compliment, my dear" With q
playful pat she went on her way. leav
Ing the young wife weak with dlsmay
when Bob came in he betrayed ar
citation only too familiar.
you've been drnkng!" cried Lore
lei
IL had to: ran fifteen three times
My abstinence is the marvel Of thu
"hola nnrtv"
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