Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-05-23

MY dear chlld We nave tnem by
the score We hire them by the year,
and they have told us all they can.
We need inside information"
The girls answer was made with her
habitual self-possession.
"I've heard about such things I've
heard about men prying into each 9th
er's private affairs. pretending to be
friends when they we're 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. know: this isn't a
conventional party. and I'm not here
MS a conventional guest-inside the
little coin purse he gave me is hun
dred-dollar bll--but. just the same, |
don't care to act rs your spy
Merklc's grare attention arrested
Lorclei's burst Of Indignation.
"Will you believe me-" he asked,
when tell you that Jarvis Harmon
ana Hannibal Wharton are the two
best friends have in the world? This
is more than business matter, Miss
Knight"
~ can hardly believe that"
Its true however; mean TO serve
Harmon. At the same time | must
serve myself and those who trust me.
| 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--hcr relations with man named
Mclcher-"
"NIaxcy Mclchcr?"
"The same. DO you know his bust
ness?"
NO"
'He is n gambler, political power;
a crafty, INSCRIPTIONS fellow who rep
resents-bg people. BY helping me
you can serve many innocent persons,
and, most of all, perhaps, Harmon
himself
Lorelci was silent for a moment,
This is very unusual she said at
length. Il don't know whether to be-
leyc 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--makc your
decision, You may name your own
price"
There wouldn't be any price," she
told him. impatienty. "l'll wait"
Mcrkle bowed. II can trust your
discretion Thank You for listening to
me, and thank you for being agreeable
to TN irascble old dyspcptic. Will you
permit me to drive you home when
you're readyg'
I'm ready now"
But as Lorelei made her way unob-
! trusively toward the cloakroom she en-
countere1 Robert Wharton, who barred
| her path.
"Fairy Princess, you ran away" he
declared, nccusingly
'I'm leaving" She saw that his in.
toyiention had reached a more adj
vanced stage. His cheeks were flushed
his eyes were wild and unsteady.
Good news! The night Is young
well watch it grow up
"Thank you, no. I'm going home
"A common mistake. Others have
tried ana failed" With extreme gray.
ity he focused his gaze upon her say
/ Ing. "Home Is the one plnce TINT on
mayor can't close"
She extended her hand. Good night.
Il don't understand Speak Eng
fish,
Good night"
Wharton's countcnance darkenad I'm
| pleasantly. ard his voice was rough
"Whcre'd you learn that line? IT.
country stuff. Well leave when In
ready. Now we'll have trot.'
The music was playing: othe
couples We're dancing, and he seize,
her IN his arms. whrling her away. Il
and out among the chairs he plotted
dizzy course. while she yielded relnct
antly, conscious. meanwhile, that Ado
rec Demorest was watching them wit
interest.
For an interval Wharton said moth
Ing; then. with change Of tone, h
murmurcd in her ear: "D'you think r.
4 let you spoil the whole ni~ht? Can
I