The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1917-06-01

goOQ nature so unm1SrakaDly SLampeu
upon her husbands. Peter j., under
easy living had grayed and fattened;
what had once been a measure of good
looks was hidden now behind q fiabby.
indefinite mediocrity which an unusual
carefulness in dress could not disguise.
His wife was of a totally different
stamp, showing evidence of unusual
force. Her thin lips, her clean=cut nose
betokened purpose; pair Of alert, I'M
pleasant eyes spoke Of a mental activ-
ity that was entirely lacking in her
mate, and she was generally recog-
nized as the source Of what little
prominence he had attained.
eyes, we're going to make change"
she repeated. "I'm glad, too, for I'm
tired of housework."
you don't have to do your own
work. There's Lorelei to help"
"She's too pretty" said the mother.
"You don't realize it; none of us do.
but-she's beautiful. Where she gets
her good looks from don't know"
"What's the difference? 1t won't
hurt her to wash dishes. She wouldn't
have to keep it up forever, anyhow;
she can have any fellow in the county"
Mrs. Knight began slowly, musingly:
"You need some plain talk Peter 1
don't often tell you just what l think.
but I'm going to now. You're past
fifty; you've spent twenty years put
tering around at politics, and what
have you got to show for it? Nothing.
The reformers are in at last, and
you're out for good. You had your
chance and you missed it. You're
little, Peter; you know it, and so does
the party"
The object of this address swelled
pompously; his cheeks deepened in hue
| and distended; but while he was sum-
| moning words for a defense his wife
ran on evenly:
'The party used you Just as long as
you could deliver something, but you're
down and out now, and they've thrown
you over. Fogarty offers to pay his
debt, and I'm not going to refuse his
| help"
81 suppose you think you could have
done better if you'd been in my place"
| Peter grumbled. He was angry, yet
the undeniabie truth of his wife's
| words struck home. THAT'S the wom-
an of it. You kick because we're poor,
and then want me to take fifteen-hun-
dred-dollar job"
Bother the salary! 1t will keep us
going as long as necessary"
"Eh" Mr.. Knight looked blank.
"I'm thinking of Lorelei. She's 60
| ing to give US our chance"
"Lorelei"
"Yes. You wonder why I've never
let her spoil her hands-why I've
scrimped to give her pretty clothes,
figure, and made her go out with young
people Well, knew what I was do
| ing; it was part of her schooling. She's
old enough now; and she has every
thing that any girl ever had, So far as
looks go. She's going to do for us
what you never have been and never
will be able to do, Peter Knight. She's
going to make us rich. But she can't
do it in Vale"
'Ma's right" declared James. "New
York's the place for pretty women; the
town is full of them"
eff it's full of pretty women, what
chance has she got?" queried Peter
"She can't break into society on my
fifteen hundred"
"She won't need TO- She can go on
the stage"
"Good Lord! What makes you think
she can act?"
"Do you remember that Miss Donald
who stopped at Myrtle Lodge last
summer? She's an actress"
"Nov' Mr. Knight was amazed.
"She told me a good deal about the
show business. She said Lorelei
wouldn't have the least bit of trouble
getting position. She gave me note
to a manager, too, and 1 sent him Lore
LET'S photograph. He wrote right back
that he'd give her place."
Really"
"Yes; he's looking for pretty girls
with good figures. His name is Berg
man."
Jim broke in eagerly. you've heard
of Bergman's Revues, pa. We saw one
last summer, remember? Bergman's a
big fellow"
"That show? Why, that was-rot-
ten. 1t isn't very decent life, either"
Don't worry about SIS" advised
Jim. "She can take care of herself.
and she'll grab millionaire sure
with her looks. Other girls are doing
it every day-why not her? Mas got
the right idea"
Impassively Mrs. Knight resumed
her argument. New York is where
the money is-aRd the women that go
with money. It's the market place.
The stage advertises pretty girl and
gives her chances to meet rich men.
Here in Vale there's nobody with
money, and, besides, people know us.
The Stevens girls have been nasty to
Lorelei all winter, and she's neverIn-
LID 1nW y