The midland journal., 1917-06-29

1
the street, and, since she could not pass
the besieger, crossed under the stage,
made her way into the orchestra pit,
and managed to leave the theater by
the front door.
She was waiting when Jim came
home. and followed him into his room,
where they could talk without disturb
ing their father. Lorelei made her ac-
cusation boldly, prepared for the usual
burst of anger, but Jim listened pa
tiently until she paused.
81 knew you had to spill this, so
let you rave" said he. "But it's too
late; somebody has been after Ham
mon for a long time, and he's been
got-yes, and got good. Take a flash
at the Chorus Girls Bible.'" He
tossed his sister a copy Of a prominent
theatrical paper. II waited until it
came out"
Lorelei gasped, for on the front page
glared black-typed headlines Of the
Harmon scandal. John Merkle's name
was there, too, and, linked with it, her
| own.
"What is-thisT She ran her eye
swiftly down the column.
"Sure. Melcher commenced suit
against Harmon this afternoon. Fifty
thousand dollars for alienation of Ii
las affections. Joke, eh? He claims
there was common-law marriage and
he'll get the coin"
"But Mrs. Hammon?"
''The evidence is in her hands al
ready-dates, places photographs, ev-
erything She'll win her suit, too"
"Were you by any chance working
| for Mrs. Hammon"
Divining his sisters prejudice, Jim
lied promptly and convincingly. "Why,
Mrs. Harmon, of course. I had a
| chance to turn a few dollars, and
took it."
"But why did you drag me in?
Couldn't you keep me out Of it? This
is dreadful" AS she ran her eye over
the article she saw that it was quite
in harmony with the general tone and
policy of the paper, which catered to
the jaded throngS of the Tenderloin.
Truth had been cunningly distorted;
fippancy, sensa tionalism and, a sala-
cious double meaning ran through it
all.
whats dreadful about it?' inquired
her brother "That sort of advertising
does a show-girl good. You've got to
make people talk about you, sis, and
this'll bring gang of high rollers your
way. You've been so blamed proper
that nobody's interested in you any
more"
For a moment Lorelei scrutinized
her brother in silence, taken aback at
his outrageous philosophy. Jim had
changed greatly, she mused; not until
very lately had she observed the full
measure of the change in him. He was
no longer the country boy, the play
mate and confidant of her youth, but
man, sophisticated, hard, secretive. He
had been thoroughly Manhattanized,
she perceived, and he was as foreign
to her as a stranger. She shook her
head hopelessly.
you're a strange brother" she said.
II hardly know what to make of you.
Has the city killed every decent in
stinct in you, Jim?"
"Now, don't begin on the Old Home
stuff" he replied, testify. do you
really intend to marry a bunch of
coin?"
That's the program, isn't it? I've
been raised for that and nothing else"
"Well, ma can't put it over, so
guess it's up to me-" After a moment
he added, would you accept Merkle?"
Lorelei shivered "Oh-no! Not Mr..
Merkle."
"Humph! You ought to consider the
rest of us a little bit. Pa could be
cured, mad be happy. l could get on
my feet. How about Bob Wharton"
Lets not talk about it, please. Mr..
Wharton is getting nasty, and-I'm be-
ginning to be afraid of him."
"I'll bet you could land him"
"Please. 1-don't want to think
about it. I dare say I'll bring myself
to marry some rich man some day;
but-Merkle-W Wharton She shud-
dered for a second time. ''If Mr..
Wharton is serious this scandal will
scare him off, or else he'll become
Just like the others. 1 could cry. He
threatened me tonight; I don't know
how I'll manage to avoid him tomor-
row night"
Hmm! He's coming that strong,
eh?" was Jim's interested query; but
on hearing his sisters account of the
young millionaire's determined pursuit
he volunteered in his offhand way to
assist her.
"I'n come for you myself, and We'll
whip over to a cafe for supper"
you'll save me from him." said Lo-
relei, with wan smile, land I'll know
that you are in good company for one
evening at least"
Don't lose any sleep over my hab-
it's" he told her, lightly.
AS Jim and his mother breakfasted
together on the following morning he