The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1917-06-15
The girls answer was made with her


heard about men prying into each 9TH
er's private affairs, pretending to be
friends when they were enemies, and
using scandal for business ends. Lilas
Lynn is my friend-at least in way
and Mr.. Harmon is my host, just as
he is yours. Oh, I know; this isn't
conventional party, and I'm not here
as conventional guest-inside the
little coin purse he gave me is hun
dred-dollar hill-but, just the same,
don't care to act as your spy"
Merkle's grave attention arrested
Lorelei's burst of indignation.
"Will you believe me-" he asked,
when tell you that Jarvis Harmon
and Hannibal Wharton are the two
best friends have in the world? This
is more than a business matter, Miss
Knight"
81 can hardly believe that"
"It's true, however; I mean to serve
Harmon. At the same time 1 must
serve myself and those who trust me.
I fear-in fact, I'm sure-that he is
being used I've learned things about
Miss Lynn that you may not know.
What you have told me tonight adds
to my anxiety, and l must know
more"
what, for instance?
"Her real feeling for him-her inten-
tions-her relations with a man named
Melcher-"
'Maxey MelcherY
''The same. Do you know his bust
ness?"
"No."
''He is a gambler, political power;
a crafty, INSCRIPTIONS fellow who rep
resents- big people. By helping me
you can serve many innocent persons,
and, most Of all, perhaps, Harmon
himself"
Lorelei was silent for a moment.
"This is very unusual" she said at
length. 81 don't know whether to be-
lieve you or not"
Suppose, then, you let the matter
rest and keep your eyes open. When
you convince yourself who means best
to Jarvis-Miss Lynn and Melcher and
their crowd, or and mine-make your
decision. You may name your own
price"
"There wouldn't be any price," she
told him, impatiently. "I'll wait"
Merkle bowed. 81 can trust your
discretion. Thank you for listening to
me, and thank you for being agreeable
to an irascible old dyspeptic. Will you
permit me to drive you home when
you're ready?'
"I'm ready now"
But as Lorelei made her way unob-
trusively toward the cloakroom she en-
countered Robert Wharton, who barred
her path.
'Fairy Princess, you ran away" he
declared, accusingly.
"Im leaving" She saw that his in
toxication had reached more adj
vanced stage. His cheeks were flushed;
his eyes were wild and unsteady.
"Good news! The night is young;
We'll watch it grow up"
'NThank you, no. I'm going home"
ga common mistake. Others have
tried and failed" With extreme gray
ity he focused his gaze upon her, say
ing, Home is the one place that our
mayor can't close"
She extended her hand. "Good night"
81 don't understand. Speak Eng
lish."
Good night"
Wharton's countenance darkened I'M
al
"Where'd you learn that line? It's
country stuff Well leave when Pm
ready. Now We'll have a trot."
The music was playing; other
couples were dancing, and he seized
her in his arms, whirling her away. In
and out among the chairs he piloted a
dizzy course, while she yielded reluct-
antly, conscious, meanwhile, that Ado
rec Demorest was watching them with
interest.
For an interval Wharton said. moth
ing; then, with a change Of tone, he
murmured in her ear: "D'you think I'd
let you spoil the whole night? Can't
you see I'm crazy about your"
Lorelei endeavored to free herself
from his embrace, but he clutched her
the tighter and laughed insolently.
Nothing like a good turkey to get
acquainted, is there? We're going to
dance till we're old folks"
She continued to struggle; they were
out of step and out of time, but he
held her away from himself easily,
bending a hot glance upon her up
turned face. She saw that he was
painting and doubly drunk with her
nearness. Don't fight. I've got you"
She was smiling family, out of habit,
but mistaking her expression, he drew
her close once more, then buried his
face in her neck and kissed her just at
the turn of her bare shoulder.
Then she tore herself away, and his
triumphant laugh was cut short as she
slapped him resoundingly, her singing
fingers leaving their imprint on his