Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-09-05


tack left her trembling and wary. Her
cover seemed pitifully insecure,
Thus far Max MeIchers campaign
had worked even better than be had
expected; and meanwhile he had en-
pIoyed Jim in assiduousIy cultivating
Bob Wharton and arranging al many
meetings as possible between Bob and
Lorelel. 4 short experience had taught
Jim TO avoid bis victim IN daylight. for
In Bob's sober hours the two did not
agree; but once mellQwed by intoxica-
ton, Wharton became imbued with a
carnival spirit and welcomed Jim as
freely as he welcomed everyone. In
cidentalIy the latter mana ged to reap
a considerable harvest from the assoc
citation, for Bob was A habituGI gam
bier, and the courteous treatment he
received at A1elcher's place seemed 10
reconcile him to the loss of his money.
when. on the morning after her dis
tressing adventure, LoreIei sent for her
brother and demanded vengeance upon
her assaiiant he decided that It was
time to test the issue. He pretended.
OF course. to be feroci0usIy euraged.
but on learning over the telephone that
the wretch had left the city he declared
that there was nothing to be done ex-
cept perhaps exact an explanation
from LiIas.
Miss Lynn, however, could offer 10
excuse, She was heartbrokeu at the
occurrence, but she was too full Of her
own troubles to give way to her sym
patty for others. Jarvis Harmon. IL
seemed, had heard about the party,
and was furious with her.
"You must expect to meet such
muCkers in this business" sne re
marked pbiIosophicauy.
Jim agreed. Il guess youT have 10
forget 1t. sis Just don't think about
it. I'll bring Wharton around tonight
and we four viii have supper, eh?"
Ldlas' hesitation IN accepting this in
vitati0n seemed genuine, but she acqui-
esced finally. saying with q short
laugh: "All right. Maybe a little jeai-
ousy won't hurt my lord ana master,
He's getting zoo bossy, anyhow
When the four set ont that night
Wharton was ia exceptional spirits,
and, as usual, devoted himself ro Lore
lei For htrss 5fe was 81 Joyous add
venture. ho gaat, things rs they came,
and uose 5Aag LAP Eaew the girI for
what she YVES hc ail not allow him
self the slightest liberty. BE was
( fervent sutton. 10 he sure yet he court
ed her with jests ANA concealed his ar
dor behind q playful raitlery.
! Jim had ordered supper ait n popular
/ Washington Heights inn. and thitber
the quartet were driven in an open car
which he hired IN the square before the
/ theater
It was a charming place for q sup
per. Contrary TO hor custom, Ttlas
/ Lynn allowed herself free rein. and for
+ once drank more tf7a ""s good for
! her, rejoicing openly a tl.e liacrty she
had snatched.
It is peculiar liberty to sit s0berly
/ through a meal ana see ones compan-
! ions become intoxicated Lorelei
watched Lilas and Bob respond to the
effect of the wine The whole pro-
/ cedure struck her. like her present life
as a whole, q both inane and wicked
and she 1onged desperately to lay hold
Of something really decent, true and
permanent
Jimmy knights admirable hospital
ity continued; he devoted his entire at
tention 10 his guests. he made CONVEX
sation. and he led IT into the channels
he desired it to follow, Then, when
the psychological moment had come, he
acted with the skin Of q Talleyrand
No one but ne knew precisely how
Bob's proposal was couched whence
1t originated. or by what subtletv the
victim had been induced to make it.
AS a matter Of fact It was no pro
po.al, and not even Bob himself sus.
pected how his words had been twist
ed He was just dimly aware Of some
turn in the conyersat ton. when he
heard Jim eEclaim.
by Jove, sis. Bob asks sou to mar
~ himt"
n prize-ring parlance, Jimmy had
"feinted" his opponent into lead. then
taken prompt advantage TO counter"
LoreIei awoke to her surroundings
/ with a start, sensing the sudden gray
ity that had fallen upon her three com
panions.
what
LiIas nodded and smiled at the be
wiIdered lover That's the way to
put it over, Bob-before witnesses.
Don't Joke about such things"
! cried Lorelei sharply.
Joke? Who's jokiug2" Jim was in
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