The Arvada enterprise., 1917-02-22

cold-meat wagon for yours. I'll have
you stabbed at the morgue."
Jimmy's reply left no doubt OF the
genulneness OF his fears, II not OF his
intentions. Strange stories were told
in the TenderloIn-tales of treachery
punished and ingratitude revenged
Jimmy knew several young men who
appeared out OF the Ease side at Mel
cher's signal. They were inconspicu-
GUS fellows, who bore fanciful dime
novel names-and no rustler's strong
hold Of the old-time western cattle
country ever boasted more fOrmida BILE
outlaws than they. Jim knew these
"nnmen well; he had no wish to know
them worse.
Il can't promise anything definite
when she's sore on me-" he declared.
Hes about ready to ask her-she's
the one to fix. She hates men, though,
and that Merke story made her crazy"
Melcher pondered for several mo-
ments. II think | know Lorelei better
than you do" he stated, deliberately,
"and believe we can pull this Off pro-
vided Wharton really wants to marry
her. Anyhow, he's so rich it's worth
the odds, and she's just the sort to
fall for it. Meanwhile I want It I'M
derstood with your mother that
share In what comes her way"
I'll fix that" promised jim.
He found it, In fact, no very difficult
task to regain at least part Of his
took time. He went about 1t with the
lazy, catlike patience of his kind. be-
haved himself kept his mouth shut
and assumed just enough of an in nured
air to be plausible He enlisted the
aid of his mother and Of Lias Lynn,
and meanwhile made himself as agree
able as possible to Robert Wharton.
Melcher was as good as his word,
and there shortly appeared in the Dis
patch an unpleasant rchash of the FOR.
mer story. 1t was published in con-
nection with the IIammon divorce pro-
ceedings, news of which was exciting
comment, and 1t further smirchcd Lo-
releis reputation. Jim was approprl-
ately Indignant, but helpless, and Mrs
Knight unweariedly blamed everything
upon her daughters deSertion Of the
family circle, predicting more evil to
follow unless LOrelci came home at
snce. She also dwelt upon the fact
that Peter was steadily falling and
was in immediate need OF both medical
and surgical attention. The doctor had
pronounced sentence, prescribing a to-
tai change OF living and treatment
by foreign specialists.
In some unaccountablc way the story
OF Nobel Bcrgman's humiliation be-
came public and afforded the basis for
a newspaper article that brought him
TO Lorelel's dressing room in fine
fury. Even after she had convinced
him OF her innocence his resentment
was so bitter that she expected her dis
missal at any time.
Other press stories followed; the girl
suddenly found herself notorious !;
scarcely day passed without some
dlsagrecablc mention OF her. Adoree
Dcmorest. as indignant as LoreleI her
self. declared finally that her friend
must be the object OF = premcditated
attack directed by some strong hand.
and once this suspicion had entered
Loreieis mind 1t took root in spite OF
Its seeming extravaganza. Her good
sense argued that she was OF too little
consequence to warrant such an as
sault, but her relatives seized the sug-
gcstlon so avidly ms to more than half
convince her.
Mrs. Knight attributed this injustice
first TO Bergman, then to Mcrkle. whom
she hated bitterly since her unfortu-
nate attempt at blackmaIl; Jim was
Inclined to agree with her. Mrs.
Knight. as always ended her sympa-
thetic rcaSsuranccs by saying. III you
were only married. my dear, that
would end all our troubles"
The climax OF these annoyanccs
came one night after a party at which
Lorclci had been presented to an old
friend of Miss Lynn's. Iilas had In
troiuccd the man us one OF her girl.
hood Chums. and lorclci had tried to
be nice to him: then In some way he
arranged to take her home, The mem
Ory OF that ride was n horror. She
knew now that she was hunted: the
man had told her so. She felt Ike a
deer covering In n brake with the
hounds working close. This first at
tack left her trembling and wary, Her
cover seemed ptlfully Insecure.
Thus far Max Molrhcr's campaign
had worked even better than he had
expected: ana meanwhile he had en-
ploycd Jim In usSIluously cultIvatlng
Bob Wharton aud arranging as many
meetings ns possible between Bob AMI
l.orrlcl. \ short experience had taught
Jim to avoid his victim In daylight. Tor
IN Hnhs sober hours the two did not
agree. but once mcllowcd by IntoNIca.
tlou. Wharton hornmc Imbucl with .
carnival spirit nnd welcomed jim as
freely Ms he welcomed everyone. In.
cllcutllly the latter managed 10 reap
a considerable harvest from the asso-
clauou, FOR Bob was n hah,tual gam.
bier. and the courteous treatment he
received Mt Mclchrr's place seemed TO
reconcile him 10 the loss or his money.