The midland journal., 1917-06-29
CHAPTER VIIl-Continued.


Looking back upon last nights home
ward ride, she was wholly at loss.
In view of Jim's words and of what
she had gathered at the theater she
had felt sure of Lilas' complete knowl-
edge of the blackmail plot, but Ham
mons unwavering faith in the girl and
Lilas' own story of her relations with
Max Melcher had awakened a doubt.
What concerned her far more than the
moral complexion of the liaison was
her brothers connection with the un-
lawful scheme of eXtortion. Jim, she
saw, had gone wrong with wen
geance, and the consequences. to him
troubled her, for in spite of all that he
might be or do she cherished a sisterly
affection for him. Family ties were
very real and very strong to her
strong enough to keep her loyal to her
kin even after the demoralizing change
in her whole mode of life. The firm
est, in fact, the only bond that she had
ever known, was that of blood; obedi-
ence, faithfulness and affection had
been born in her, and she never
thought to question their sacredness.
Idling down Fifth avenue, she found
herself in front of a fashionable de-
partment store. A knot of curious
people were gaping at a unique auto
mobile which stood in the line e We
hicles along the curb, and she paused
to look. The equipage was snow white
in color; the chauffeur and 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
doors, in gold letters an inch high, was
the name "Adoree Demorest."
AS she entered the store LoreIei re-
fected with some disgust that no WIS.,
iting rajah, no barbaric potentate-
no one, in fact, except a self-advertised
musical comedy queen-would so fla
grantly defy good taste as to ride in
such vehicle.
She was engaged in her final pur-
chase when a dazzling creature in red
and white descended upon her with ex-
clamations of surprise and delight. 1t
was Mademoiselle Demorest herself,
and her greeting was so effusive that
the stream of shoppers halted in the
aisle. She carried the mate to the ex-
citable poodle that defied the curiosity
seekers outside.
miss Knight! I'm so glad to see
you again." she burbled. How sweet
you look! I hoped we'd meet again;
but where@Aave you been? Have you
finished your shopping? Then do come
and help me match some rose du
Barry"
Lorelei felt herself flushing uncom-
fortably under the stares of the on
lockers, and, glad to escape, she
moved away beside the undisturbed
cause of all the furore.
Miss Demorest seemed genuinely de-
lighted at this encounter. She chung
to her companion, chattering vivacious-
ly; then, when the rose du Barry had
been matched. she suggested tea.
"NYe'll run right over to the Wal
dorf my car is outside" But Lorelei
dec! ned, explaining lamely that she
did not care for public places.
The dancers expression and tone
changed abruptly. 81 supposed you
were like all the others"
"Well, I'm not. When I'm away
from the theater 1 try to forget it.
I-hate the business"
The reply, which came with sincere
feeling, widened Lorelei's eyes with
uncomfortable surprise.
",Iere, too" said Adoree Demorest,
quic tly. "But I'm not allowed to for
get it. Our first meeting made me
thin; you were-out with banners.
was hired on that occasion to be
nau shty. What do you say to some
rea! tea at my house? Just you and
II"
Lorelefs heart sank at the thought
of that gaudy machine outside, but
there was an honest appeal in the
speakers eyes, and, moreover, the
memory of her obligation rose to pre-
vent her from appearing ungrateful.
'1'd be delighted" she falsified, and,
gurgling with appreciation, Miss Dem
crest hurried her toward the nearest
exit. In the street, however, Adoree
paused, and her next words showed
that she was not wanting in womanly
intuition.