Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-05-21

- - a. MA y2ANANn&Ll
contribute toward the common fund.
while the mother devoted her time al
most solely TO managing Lorelefs af-
fairs. Presents were showened upon
the girl. and these Mrs. knight con-
verted into cash. Conspicuous stage
characters are always welcome at the
prominent cafes; hence Lorelei never
had to pay for food or drink when
alone. and when escorted she received
a commission on the money spent. She
was well paid for posing: advertise
mcnts Of toilet articles, face creams,
dentlfrices, yielded something. In the
commercial exploitation Of her daugh-
ter Mrs. Knight developed something
like genius. But Of all the so-called
"grafts" open to handsome girls In her
business the quickest and best returns
came from prodigal entertainers like
Jarvis Harmon.
As Lorelei and her companion left
their taxicahs and entered Proctor's
lotel, shortly before midnight, they
were met by head waiter and shown
into an ornate ivory-and-gold elevator,
which lifted them noiseessly to an up
per floor. They made their exit into a
deep-carpeted hall, at the end of which
two splendid creatures in the panopy
Of German field malshals stood guard
over one of the smaller banquet rooms.
Harmon himself greeted the girls
when they had surrendered their
wraps and, after his Introduction to
Lorclel. engaged Lilas in earnest con-
versation.
Lorelei watched him curiously. She
saw powerfully built gray-haired
man. whose vigor age had not i'm
paired. In face he was perhaps fifty
Years old. in body he was much less.
He had a bold. incisive manner that
was compelling and stamped him as a
big man in more ways than one. Play
fully he pinched I.ilas' cheek, then
turned WIN smile 10 say.
you'll pardon us for whispering.
won't you. Miss Knight? You see, Ii
las got up this little party. and I've
been waiting to consult her about some
Of the details. Awfully good Of you to
come / hope you'll find my friends
agreeable and enjoy yourself
Perhaps twenty men in evening
dress and as many deliberately gowned
young women were gossiping and
smoking as the last corners appeared.
Someone raised a vigorous complaint
at the hosts hardness. but Harmon
laughed reioinder. then gave a sig
nal, whereupon folding doors at the
end of the room We're thrown back, and
those nearest the banquet hall moved
toward it.
l.2umon was Introducing two Of his
friends one languid, middle-aged
MN tho Their 4 large featured person
with 4 ,umhlng voice The former
\ dropped his cigarette and bowed cour-
| teously. His appearance as he faced
Lorelci was prepossessiEg, and she
breathed Thanksgiving as she took
his arm.
Harmon clapped the other gentle.
man upon the shoulder, crying: Han
nibal. | saw your supper partner flirt
ing with Handsome Dan Avery. Bet
ter find her quick
Lorelei recognized the deep-volced
I man as Hannibal G. Wharton, one OF
! the dominant figures in the Steel syn
I dictate: she knew him instantly from
his newspaper pictures. The man be
side her, however was a stranger, ant
she raised her eyes to his with some
curiosity. He was studying her will
manifest admiration. despite the fac
that his lean features were cast in
sardonic mold.
III Is a pleasure to meet celcbrlt.
like you. Miss Knight" he murmurcd
AS they entered the banquet hall sh
! SuNt II lltiIt WV VI uittNNiN VI W. ~ We
evident that Harmon, noted as he wa
for lavish expenditure. had outdon
himself this time. The whole room ba'
been transformed into a bower o
roses. great, climbing bushes. heav,
with blooms. The table, horsesho
Of silver and white. of glittering plat
and sparkling cut glass. facedra rlsti
stage which occupied one end of tn
ROOM occupying the inner are OF tn
half-clrcle was wide but shallo'
stone fountain. upon the surface G
which floated large-lenved Egyptla
pond lilies. Fat-belled goldfish wit
illmy flns. and tails like lridescent WEI
ding trains, propelled themselves ind'
lently about.