Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-05-29
CHAPTER VII.


ing afternoon her first inquiry was for
jim; but he had not come home, and
her mother knew nothiu" of his whore
abOuts. Loreci ate her breakfast in
silence; then, in reply to Il question.
accounted for the la'cncsS of her ar
rival by saying that she had dined with
Mr. Merkle.
At the name Mrs Knight pricked up
her ears; she undertook to pick out of
her daughter all that had occurred.
down to the most Insignificant detail.
I.orelei had always made cJnfdante
of her mother in such cases; but this
time the lattcr's inqusitiveness graft
ed on her, and she answered the ques-
tons put to her grudgingly. She could
not help likenlng her mother to a mag
pie although the thought shocked her.
There was the same sly angle Of c0un-
tenance. similar furtivenoss Of pur-
pose; the very expression Of Mrs.
Knights keen. hard eyes was like
nothing so much as that of the pry-
ing BIRDS Dispeased ut her own irri-
tation. Lorelei made the excuse Of Il
shopping trip to escape from the house.
At the nearest news stand she
bought the afternoon papers, ana was
relieved to find no mention of the in
cidents of the night before. II APP
peared that Harmon and Merkle had
succeeded in their attempt to suppress
the story--if, indeed. there had ever
been any intention Of making it public.
Looking back upon last nights home
ward ride. she was wholly at a loss.
/ In view of Jim's words and of what
j she had gathered at the theater she
had felt sure Of Lilas' complete knowl-
edge Of the backmai plot. but Ham
mons unwavering faith in the girl and
I Lilas' own story Of her relations with
+ Max Mecher had awakened a doubt.
What concerned her far more than the
neral complexion of the lialSon was
'hcr brothers. connection with the I'M
/ lawful scheme of eXtOrtion. jim, she
saw. had gone wrong with a ven
geance. and the consequences to him
troubled her for in spite of all that he
might be or do she cherished Il sistcrly
affection for him Family ties We're
very real and very strong to her
strong enough to keep her loyal to her
/ kin even after the dcmoralizng change
In her whole mode of life The firm
est, in fact, the only bond that she had
4 ever known. was that of blood; obedi
ence, faithfulness and affection had
been born in her, and She never
thought to question their sacrednpss.
Idling down Fifth avenue. she found
herself in front of Il fashionable de-
Dartment store. A knot Of curious
people were gaping at a unique auto
mobile which stood in the line Of We
hicleS along the curb, and she paused
to look. The eguipage was snow white
In color the chauffeur and a stiff
backed footman were in blood red with
white facings on their livery. A tiny
mop Of a lapdog imprisoned within
the closed body Of the car, was barking
frenziedly at the thr0ng. Across the
doors, in gold letters an inch high, was
the name "Adoree Demorest."
AS she entered the store Lorelei re-
Elected with some disgust that no Wis
iting rajah, no barbaric potentate-
no one. in fact, except Self-advertised
musical comedy queen-woud so fla
GRAVITY defy good taste as to ride in
such vehicle.
She was engaged in her final pur-
chase when dazzling creature in red
and white descended upon her with oX-
carnations of surprise and delight II
was Mademoisele Demorest herself,
4 and her greeting was so elfusvc that
the stream of shoppers halted in the
aisle. she carried the mate to the eX-
citable poodle that detled the curiosity
seekers outside.
"NIiss Knight, I'm so glad to see
you again" she burbled. How sweet
you look. !, hoped we'd meet again
hut where have you been? Have you
finished your shopping Then do come
and help me match some rose du
Barry
I.orelei felt herself flushing uncom
fortably under the stares of the on
lockers, and, glad to escape, sh,
moved away beside the undisturbet
cause of all the iurore,