Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-06-18

Its nearly dinner time
Bob's~ eyes opened with surprise
"Why. we're going TO nelmonicos."
'l'd-father do this IL you don't
mind" She eyed him appealingly. Il
| don't feel equal to going out tonight.
I I'm--afraid'
/ His glance frightened with admira
ton. well. you look stunning in that /
yet-up, and Id hate to see you change /
it. DO you mean to say you can cookY'
Not well, but can fry almost any
thing. Mother has Il maid. | couldn't /
afford two"
Il love fried things" he assured her |
with Il twinkle. And to think you're
going to cook for me! That's an ex-
perience for both of us. Let's have
some fried roast beef and fried corn
Oh the cob with fried salad and cheese"
"Don't tease" she begged, uncertain
w. Il hardly know what I'm doing,
and thought this would keep me busy
until theater time"
He extended G hand timidly and
patted her arm, saying with unexpect-
ed gentleness:
please don't worry. 1t was ter
rible night for all of us. When
think Of it I'm sure it must have been
dream. / saw Merkie. He got back
to lannon's house ahead of the doe
tor. aud nobody suspects the truth. But
the Street is in chaos, and all of Ham
mons companies are feeling the
strain
shouldn't you have been at bust
ness on such q dayf'
Bob shrugged carelessly. I'm only
Joke broker. The governor thinks A
firm name looks well on my cards.
hone he doesn't lose more than mil
lion in this tlurry--it won't improve his
disposition. But--wait till he learns
I've married a girl who can fry
things BY the way" Bob paused.
II invited a friend to dine With us to.
night"
I.orelei was less dismayed than he
had expected. $50 have r. she said.
81 thought 1t might be plcasantet
for YOU" he explained, bit awkward
IT, ''inasmuch as we're not very we'll
acquainted saw before | went out
that YOU were-er--cmbarraS sed-and
---and--" He flushed boyi lily. scarce.
ly conscious Of the dclcacy that had
prompted his action. anyhow, he's
gone home to put on clean sweater.
You don't mean you asked?'
Campbell Pope; yes. met him,
and he looked hungry. He's coming
here at six" For almost the first time
u in Bob's society Iorelei laughed out
9 clearly.
"And asked Adoree Demorest," shS
u said.
!, Bob grinned and then laughed witt
her. "I'inem he cried. "i'oth mem
= bers of this club. Really, this ought t
q make the best finish fight seen in New
n. York for many day"
'. Adoree's surprise at finding Rober
70 w IHItOil Ill ltl llitui . dPt'A NAhNHt. N'''
intense. and when she learned the trutl
she was for once in her life speeches.
NJ She could only stare from one to TIN
ID other waveling between Consideration
IL and delight Finally she sat dow
ID Imply.
"a lid have brought present If II
known" she managed TO say.
st Are You going to wish Us luck?
a. Bob inquired
.d Luck, You've both got it. She
the best girl In the world, and you're
Adoree hesltated. and continued t
90 stare, round-cyed. II didn't thin
/. you'd didn't think she'd--I don
II know what | thought or didn't thlnl
But --Jimminy! Married. When LORI
lei led her into the bedroom to lay Of
Cd her wraps the thundcrstruck yonn
in woman had more nearly recovered hel
20 self "Why, he's worth millions" 81
III exclaimed, in whispcr--"hillions.
MS don't know how to talk TO hm--or yot
MI for that matter Shall call you IN
lady or your honor Or ! didn
D" dress for dinner either; | suppose
oh should have worn the crown jools"
ast you're going to wear an apron an
m help me scorch the dinner" Lorel
he laughed.
mt As Iorclei explained the reasons Il
- tonig't's program. Adoree saw for Il
he first time the WEAKNESS in her friend
BIS eyes. the pallor Of her checks. the tren
ed ,llous droop Of her lower lip Seizln
,m Lorelci by the shoulders, she held HI
life off rs the target for searching gaze
"rell me. did they make you MARI
DIV him. she inquired, herccy. 1t WI
plain to whom she referred.
lax "No."
lls "Whew. I'm glad to hear that. Yc
Ply love him. don't you"
cs- The answer came readily enoug
and the blue eyes did not finch. bl
the smile WAS tfile fixed and Il
'ey cheeks rc.aa;,.rt coorless.
~ tTO itE rONqlNJfED)