The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1917-06-08

warmly. "It's the best thing 1 ever
saw you do, Bob. You could almost
make living for yourself at it."
The young man grinned, showing
rows Of firm, strong teeth. LoreIel,
who was watching him, decided that
he must have at least twice the usual
humber; yet it was good mouths
good, big, generous mouth.
Thanks for those glorious words OF
praise; that's more than we're doing ON
the Street nowadays. Whew! Got
any grapejuice for a growing boyT
He helped himself to his fathers wine
glass and drained it. "You can settle
now, dad-one thousand iron men. I
owe it to Demorest."
"What do you meanT"
"Debt of honor. 1 heard she was
due here with some kind of an electric
thrill, so offered her my share of the
sweepstakes to further disgrace herself
by dancing with me-" He caught Lore
LET'S eye and stared boldly. "Hello! I
believe in fairies, toO dad. Introduce
me to the Princess"
Merkle volunteered this service, and
Bob promptly hitched his chair closer.
Lorelei saw that he was very drunk,
and marveled at his control during the
recent exhibition.
"Tell me more about the 'Parti-color
Petticoat' and 'Dentol Chewing Gum,'
Miss Knight. Your face is household
word in every street car" he began.
She replied promptly, quoting hap
hazard from the various advertise
ments in which she figured. "It never
shrinks; it holds its shape; it must be
seen to be appreciated; is cool, re-
freshing, and prevents decay"
"How did you meet that French
dancer?" Hannibal Wharton queried,
sourly, of his son.
II stormed the stage door and way
laid her in the wings. She thought I
was you, dad. Wharton is grand old
name" He chuckled at his fathers
exclamation.
"Where did you learn those Argen-
tine wiggles?"
Hard times are to blame, dad. The
old men on the exchange play golf all
day, and the young ones turkey-trot all
night. 1 stay up late in the hope that
may find quarter that some SUBJ
urbanite has dropped"
The elder men rose and sauntered
away in the direction Of their host,
whereupon Bob winked
They've left US fiat. Why? Be-
cause the wicked Mile. Demorest has
finally made her appearance as
guest. My dad is splendid shock
absorber. Naughty, naughty papav'
"It's probably well that you came
with her; fathers are so indiscreet."
Young Wharton signaled to a waiter
who was passing with a wine bottle
and napkin.
"Tarryr' he cried. Remove the
shroud, please, and let me look at poor
old Roderer. Thanks. How natural
he tastes" Then to Lorelei: 'The gov
ernor is woman hater; but no man
is safe in range of your liquid orbs,
Miss Knight Wouldn't mother enjoy
reading the list of lannon's guests at
this party?' Among those present were
Mr.. Hannibal G. Wharton, the WELL
known rolling-mill man; Miss Lorelei
Knight, principal first-act fairy of the
Bergman Revue, and Mile. AdOree
Demorest, the friend Of king. A good
time was had by all, and the diners
enjoyed themselves very NICE" He
laughed loudly, and the girl stirred.
"She'd be pleased to read also that
you came late, but highly intoxicated"
"Ah! Salvation Nell" Bob took no
offense. "If the hour was late she'd
know my intoxication followed as a
matter of course. 1 am derivative
of alcohol, the one and infallible argu-
ment against temperance, Miss
Knight"
You talk as if you were always
drunk"
"Oh-not always. By day am fire.
quently sober, but at such times I am
fit company for neither man nor beast:
am harsh and unsympathetic; I
scheme and I connive. With nightfall,
however, there comes a metamorpho-
sis. Once l am stocked up with ales,
wines, liquors and cigars, become a
living, palpitating influence for good,
spreading happiness and prosperity In
my wake"
"DO you consider yourself in such q
condition now? queried Lorelei,
vaguely amused.
II am, and, since it is long past the
closing hour of one and the tango par
lors are dark, suppose we blow this
Who's Who in Pittsburgh and taxi
cab out to a roadhouse where the bass
fiddle is still inhabited and the second
generation is trotting to the Robert q.
Lee'?"
Lorelei shook her head with a smile.
81 don't care to CO."
stranger Mr.. Wharton helped
himself to a goblet of wine, appearing
to heap the liquor above the edge Of
the glass. mo, if 1 were sober
could understand how you might pre-