Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-06-02

her brother In silence, taken hbacK 1T
his outrageous philosophy. Jim had
changed greatly, she unused; not until
very lately had she observed the fuii
measure of the change in him. He was
no longer the country boy. the play
mate and contidant Of her youth. but
man. Sophisticated, hard, secretiye. he
had been thoroughly Manhattanized,
she perceived. and he was as foreign
to her ms stranger. She shook her
head hopelessly.
you're strange brother" she said.
81 hardly know what to make OF you
Has the city killed every decent IN
stinct in you, Jim!'
Nov. don't begin or the Old Home
stuff" he replied, testify DO you
really intend to marry a bunch or
coin:'
"Thats the program. isn't it? I've
been raised for that and nothing else.
well. ma can't put it over, so !
guess it's up to me- After moment
he added. "Would you accept MerkleT
Lorelei shivered. "Oh-no Not Mr..
Merkle."
.Humph. You ought to consider the
rest OF us little BIT. Pa could be
cured, mad be happy. could get on
my feet. How about Bob Wharton
"Let's not talk about it, please. Mr..
Wharton is getting nasty, and-l'm be-
ginning to be afraid Of him."
| 'T'll bet you could land him
nplease. I--don't want to think
about 1t. I dare say I'll bring myself
to marry some rich man some day
Observation-Disclosures She shud-
dered for a second time If Mt.
Wharton Is serious this scandal Will
scare him off. or else he'll become
lust like the others. ! could cry. lie
threatened me tonight: | don't know
how I'll manage to avoid him tomor-
row night"
"Hm-m! He's coming that strong
eh?" was Jim's interested query; mi
on hearing his sisters account OF the
Young millionaire's determined pursuit
he volunteered in his offhand way to
assist her
"I'l come for you myself, ana wei
whip over to cafe for supper,
you'll save me from him. said Lo
relief, with wan smile, "and III Know
that you are In good company for on'
evening at least
Don't lose any sleep over my nab
It's" he told her, lightly.
AS Jim and his mother breakfastet
together on the following morning n
bronched the subject of his recent con
versation with Lorelei.
"ehe's sore about the story n
said 1--WE had long talk last night.
II knew she would be, and I'm no
sure it was a good thing"
even drag something out Of 1t
YOU do your part. Merkle Will pay
Don't mention money-nothing bu
marriage - understand? Outrage
motherhood, ruined daughter blaste
carcer-that's yours. III be the brotl
\ or who's in the position of father
| her. / can threaten. but you muslin
/ Goldberg will close for us
Il 81 don't see why we have to divld
\ with a lawyer. when it's our affair an
! we can handle it ourselves his mothf
| complained.
| ~ tell you it's got to 20 through II
\ regular channels. This was Mecher
A idea, and, since I'm in on the Han
1 mon money, Max is entitled to his D
Of this. Gee. If she'd only told
| she was going out with Merkle v
| might have framed something Wort
i while---I don't mind telling you this
! a pretty weak case
.Woudnt he marry herr
.Not n chance. In the first plac
she wouldn't have him. Bob Whaftt
Is the white hope"
te "She hates him, too. Goodne
ID knows what we're going to do WI
I'd her"
n. II think she'll stand for Wharton
d; we work her right; it's him or nobod
a She's getting harder to handle eve
1t day, though, and one Of these tim
she'll fall for some rummy. II )
I'd ever does lose her head she'll skid !
~ the ditch, and we can kiss ourselv
to goodby. She'll be as easy to steer
I'd d wild boar by the tail. ! guess you
ur sorry now that you didn't listen to
or and let Max handle her before she
NJ WISE"
Il wouldn't feel safe with any