The midland journal., 1917-07-06

4
But there's one good thing about IT,
Bob Wharton hasn't bothered me this
evening"
Jim, with an expressionless face
tried to speak to Lilas 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 it to the shoe
makers?' he laughed Il 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"
"It's part of the game to look well
in public, but I'd have enjoyed myself
more If we had gone to Billy the
Oysterman's and dressed the part y
She surveyed the gaudy dining room,
with it's towering marble columns, it's
tremendous crystal festoons, shower
ing brilliant but becoming light upon
the throngs below then nodded here
and there to casual greetings.
Proctor's was a show place, built
upon the site Of a former resort the
fame of which had been nationwide;
but the crowds that frequented it now
were of different type to those that
had gathered in ''the old Proctor's." !"
Prices were higher here than else
where; the coatrooms were robbers
dens, infested by Italian mafiosi; tips
were extravagant and amounted in eff
feet to ransom. But New York dearly
loves to be pillaged. Nothing speeds
| the Manhattan sleep hater more swift
| " to a change Of scene than the knowl-
| edge that he is getting his moneys
| worth.
Speaking of Clothes" Jim contin-
| ued, staring past his sister to another
table, "there seems to be strike
breaker in the room. Pipe the gink
with the nightshirt under his coat and
the shoestring tie. There must be a
masquerade Say! He's bowling to
you"
Flush! 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 a waiter
to bring his coffee. Jim watched the
nearest entrance with some anxiety,
for the reviewers presence did not fit
we'll with his plans. AS he finished
ordering he heard Pope say:
II was sorry the story got out, Miss
Knight; but it was pretty we'll smoth-
cred in this evenings papers. OF
course you were dragged in by the
hair to afford Roman spectacle; we
all saw what it meant when it came
to u.s."
"What did it mean?" queried Jim,
with brotherly interest.
"Blackmail. The word was written
all over 1t. Melcher's connection with
the affair was proof of that; then-the
way it was handled! Nobody touched
it except the Dispatch, and, Of course,
it got its price"
II thought newspapers paid for
copy" innocently commented Jim.
Eyes. real newspapers; but the gang
had to publish the stuff somewhere. 1t
is reported that Harmon 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
lot up your sleeves" James invol-
untary start of dismay did not pass
unnoticed. He did not relish the gleam
in Popes eyes, and he hastily sought
refuge in a goblet Of water, notwith-
standing his distaste for the liquid.
1--WE sometimes know as much as
the police, and we invariably tell
MORE" continued Pope. Eyes, busi-
ness man can get a haircut in Tony's
without fear of family complications
now. I suppose Armistead is smoking
hop; Young Sullivan is probably laying
an alcoholic foundation for a wife
DcdLIll$,, dAu-lLc OluSIS are
Hammon's money in the cafes"
Jimmy Knight paled, for behind
Pope's genial smile were both mockery
and contempt; a panic swept him lest
this fellow should acquaint Lorelei
with the truth. Jim lost interest in
his clans and thereafter avoided con-
versation with the wariness of fox.
He was still glowing with resent
ment when Robert Wharton paused at
the table and greeted its occupants
cheerily. In response to Jim's invita-
ton Bob drew up fourth chair, seat
ed himself, and began to beam upon
Lorelei. Noting the faint line of an
noyance between her brows, he
laughed.
Retreat is cut off," he announced,
complacently. Escape is hopeless.
I've left orders to have the windows
ho ~1 ho Io6