Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-06-05
Wharton answered sadly MY

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Wharton answered sadly: "My van
ity has suffered the rudest jolt of its
young career; mourn the death Of a
perfectly normal and healthy self-con-
ceit. age twenty-nine. Services at
noon; friends and relatives only"
"Oho! You've heard the seductive
song of the Rhine maiden?" Pope's
eyes were twinkllng.
"Eh ?--I'm tangled up like a basket
of ticker tape. You see, Campbell, |
drink: candor compels me to acknowl
edge that much. In moment of folly
| was indiscreet, and ever since i have
been trying to apologize. In short, I'm
in Dutch, and there sits the adorable
cause Of my sorrows"
In spite of Wharton's reproachful
tone, the gaze he bent upon Lorelei
was good humored, and she saw that
he was in a mood different to any she
had ever seen him in. Strange to say, he
was sober, or nearly so, and he was
plainly determined to make her like
him.
HAS he annoyed you Miss Knight"
asked Pope.
"Dreadfuly."
Wharton explained further. "The
first time we met | deserved to be
stamped and | was. You see, ! was
ruder than usual. But | have sobered
up purposely to apologize; ! have re-
pented. and--well, here we are, thanks
to brother James"
~ hanks to--Jim?' Lorelei raised
her brows.
Pope turned to young Knight and
said, politely. THAT Is my foot you are
stamping on
ignoring Jim's mute appeal Whar-
ton ran on slnilingly: 'He promised to
shackle you to table until / could
stammer out my battling apologies. and
now that I've done so in the presence
Of press and public went you forgive
me and help me to bury the Ratchet in
Il Welsh rabbit" He was speaking
directly to her with a genuine appea
in his handsome eyes Now that she
saw him in his right mind, it was un
expectedy hard to resist him. for hi
was very boyish and friendly-quitt
unlike the person who had so grievous
~ offended her.
When she and Jim had first entered
the restaurant they had received pc
/ lite but casual recognition from thu
/ head waiter hut there attentions haC
ceased. With Wharton as member
Of the party, however. there came {
change. Mr.. Proctor himself paused
momentalily ut the table and rested ;
hand upon Wharton's shoulder whil
he voiced few platitudes. Then II
some incxplicable manner Rober
found himself not only ordering 70
himself but supplementing Jim's mem
with rare and expensive viands. AS
great favor.she was advised Of newl.
! imported vintage wine which the pro
prietor had secured for his own use
OF course Mr.. Wharton wished t
sample such vintage, any vintage, Il
fact. since a thousand fires were con
suming him, and his nerves were o.
edge from the night before. The frs
draft electrified him, his spirits rose
and he swept his companions alon
with his enthusiasm. From surround
ing tables people accosted him; me-
paused in passing to exchange a wor
about stocks, polo, scandal, Newpor'
tennis, Tuxedo; none were in the leas
J stiff or formal, and all expressed /
ene way or another their admiratio
for Lorelei. Women who she kne,
were not Of her world beamcd an
smiled at the young millionaire.
was new experience for the girl VIII
felt herself, rs the supper progressed
becoming conspicuous without tn
usual dlsagreeable accompaniment
Men no longer openly ogled her; won
en- did not nudge each other and whi'
per; her presence in company with
member of the idolized rich was eau
. Ing gossip, but gossip Of fiattcrin
kind.
All this attention. however, had quit
the contrary effect upon Campbe
Pope. Much to Jim's relief, he g.
cused himself shortly, whereupon Il
former after allowing Wharton to pa
, the score, suggested dance breezil
sweeping aside his sisters mild obje
ton. OF course Bob was delghte
and soon the trio had set out upon
, round of the dancing cafes.
Bob Wharton had drunk heavily, bl
up to this time he had shown little &
feet from his potations beyond a gro,
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