davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal., 1917-08-03

| transferred to their respective owners.
Bob walked toward the Elegancia with
a feeling Of extreme fatigue in his
limbs, for the effort to conquer his in
toxication had left him weak; he dimly
realized also that he was still far from
sober.
There was no answer when he rang
at Lilas Lynn's apartment; the hall
boy volunteered the information that
the occupant had just gone out with a
gentleman. Miss Knight? Yes, she
was upstairs. he supposed. Bob was
surprised at his wife's apparent self
| control when she let him in. Except
for the slim hand pressed to her bosom
and the anxiety Turing in her deep
blue eyes, she might have just come
from the theater. Those eyes, he not
ed, were very dark, almost black, un-
der this emotional stress; they ques-
toned him, mutely.
''We got him home all right" he told
her, when they stood facing each other
in the tiny living room.
"Will he live"
"Oh, yes. He says he's not badly
hurt, and Merkle agrees. Lord! We'd
never left him alone If we'd thought
"I'm glad. When you rang thought
it was the police"
'There, therev' he said, comfortingly,
seeing her tremble. 81 won't let any
body hurt you I was terribly drunk
things are swimming yet-but all the
way across town I couldn't think Of
anything, anybody except you and
what 1t would mean to you If 1t got
out"
at will get out, I'm sure. Such
things always do"
He eyed her gravely, kindly, with an
expression she had never seen upon his
face.
"Then-we'll face it together" he
said.
After a moment her glance dropped,
faint color tinged her cheeks. q
wouldn't dare face 1t alone. couldn't.
but you're tired-sick." He nodded.
"You must lie down and sleep, and get
to be yourself again We can't tell
what may happen now at any mo-
ment."
"It's the reaction, suppose. I'm all
in. And your
She shook her head. 81 couldn't sleep
if tried. 1 feel as If I'd never be able
to sleep again. I-I'll sit and watch
and-wait."
The midland journal., 1917-08-03

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
in Bobs society Lorelei laughed out
clearly.
"And asked Adoree Demorest," she
said.
Bob grinned and then laughed with
her. "Fine" he cried. "Both men,
bers of this club. Really, this ought to
make the best finish fight seen in New
York for many a day"
Adoree's surprise at finding Robert
Wharton in her friends apartment was
intense, and when she learned the truth
she was for once in her life speechless.
She could only stare from one to the
other, wavering between CONSERVATION
and delight. Finally she sat down
Imply
I'D have brought present If I'd
known" she managed to say.
"Are you going to wish us luck ?"
Bob inquired.
Luck! You've both got it. She's
The midland journal., 1917-08-03
CHAPTER XVI.

That afternoon Mrs. Knight, in a
great futter of excitement, arrived
with Jim at the Elegancia. Embracing
her daughter in tremulous, almost tear
full delight, she burst forth:
"You dear! You darling! Jim came
home not an hour ago and told me ev-
erything. I thought I should swoon." !"
''Told you = everything?" Lorelei
| flashed a glance at her brother, who
made quick sign of reinsurance.
What with Lorelei's good fortune
and Lilas' catastrophe Mrs. Knight was
well-nigh delirious. She was still re-
joicing garrulously when Lorelei burst
into one Of her rare passions Of weep
ing and buried her face in her hands.
"Child alivev' cried her astonished
mother. what ails your"
Instantly Jim's suspicious caught
| fire.
"Say! Has Bob welched?" he de-
manded, harshly.
The amber head shook in negation
"Isn't he-nice to your" quavered
Mrs. knight.
"Yes. But-Tm sorry did it. He
was drinking; he didn't know what he
was doing"
"HushT' Mrs. Knight cast fearful
glance over her shoulder. 1T was all
straight and aboveboard, and he knew
perfectly we'll what he was about. Jim
would swear to it."
Lorelei lifted tragic, tear-stained
face 81 ought to be hanged" she said.
Jim laughed with relief. There's
gratitude for you! If had your share
of the Wharton coin I'd let 'em hang
me-for a while"
AS mother and son were leaving, Jim
managed to get word in private with
his sister.
Don't weaken" he cautioned her.
"Lynn's gone, and it's all over. We've
got the whip-hand on all of 'em-Ham-
mon, Merkle, Bob, Lilas-everybody.
We've got 'em all, understand? We've
landed bigP'
When she was alone Lorelei gave a
sigh of relief, which changed to sob
as the sense of her helplessness surged
over her again. She had deliberately
sold herself; she wearily wondered
where the new road led-surely not to
happiness
Toward evening Adoree Demorest
telephoned, and with many anticipa-
tory exclamations of pleasure invited
Lorelei to dine.
II can't" answered Lorelei, family,
Bother your engagementsw Miss
Demorest's disappointment was keen.
81 can't even explain, unless-yOu'll
come here"
ITO dinner?'
Lorelei decided swiftly. She dreaded
to be alone with Bob; her constraint in
his presence was painful, and he also,
before going out, had appeared very Ill
| at ease He had not even made plans
The midland journal., 1917-08-03

the claptrap music OF the day. Once
he had. found means Of occupying
himself, Pope surrendered to his i'm
pulse and in measure forgot his sur
roundings.
A short time later Lorelei turned
from the kitchenette to find Adoree
Demorest poised, a salad-bowl in one
hand, wooden spoon gripped in the
other, on her face a rapt expression of
beatitude.
"Have you rubbed the dish with gar
lic?" inquired Lorelei.
Adoree reused herself slowly.
"Lordy!" she whispered. 'I'd give both
legs to the knee and one eye if could
play like that. The mean little shrimpw
The embers of her resentment were
still glowing when the four finally seat
ed themselves at the table. A furtive
glance In Pope's direction showed that
he was studiously avoiding her eyes;
she prepared once more to begin the
process of flaying him.
you've been away for some time,
haven't your" Bob was asking.
Pope nodded. 81 hate New York. I
went as far away as could get, and
I managed to return just two jumps
ahead of the sheriff. 1t will take me
six months to pay my debts. I'm a
grand little business man."
"What was it this time? Mining"
"No. Poultry" Adoree pricked up
her ears.
'You went West, eh?" pursued Bob.
"No. East-Long Island. saw
great opportunity to make money; so 1
found farm on lake, bought it, and
went to raising ducks"
"Ducksw breathlessly exclaimed
Miss Demorest; but her interruption
went unnoticed.
Campbell Pope's features shone with
the gentle light of a pleasurable re-
membrance. "It was lovely and quiet
out there. The local inhabitants were
shy but friendly; they did me no harm.
Butt was no place for ducks; they
swan all over the pond. They swan
all their fat off, and 1 had the pond
dredged and never found an egg"
Miss Demorest giggled audibly; she
had lost all interest in her food; she
was tingling with excitement.
"Why didn't you fence them in?" she
asked.
Pope eyed her for feeting instant,
then his gaze wavered.
II fenced in the whole pond to begin
with. 1t nearly broke me-"
"a duck shouldn't have much water.
What kind were they"
plymouth Rocks, or Holsteins, or
Jersey Lilies-anyhow they were
white"
'White Pekins!'
The critic frowned argumentatively.
what is duck for If he isn't to
swim?7 What is his object? We had
six on my fathers farm, and they
swan all the time OF course, six isn't
many, but"
Naturally they didn't do we'll"
Bob Wharton signaled frantically to
his wife, but there was no stopping the
discussion that had begun to rage back
and forth. 1t lasted until the conclu-
sion of the meal, and 1t was only with
an effort that AdOree tore herself away.
She was in her element, and in little
time had won the critics undivided at
tention; he listened with absorption;
he even made occasional notes.
AS the two girls dressed hurriedly
for the theater, Adoree confessed:
"Golly! I'm glad 1 stayed. He's not
bright; he's perfectly silly about some
things, and yet he's the most interest
ing talker I ever heard. And-can't
he NAV nianOP"
The midland journal., 1917-08-03
SYNOPSIS.


Peter Knight, defeated for political Of
tlce in his town, decides to venture New
York in order that the family fortunes
charming daughter, Lorelei. we'll
known critic Interviews Lorelei knight.
now stage beauty with Bergman's Revue,
for a special article. Her coin-hunting
mother outlines Loreleis ambitions. but
Slosson, the press agent, later adds his
information. Lorelei attends Millionaire
Hammon's gorgeous entertainment. She
meets Merkle, wealthy dyspeptic. Bob
Wharton comes unlimited Lorelei dis
covers a blackmail plot against Harmon.
dn which her mother Is involved. Merkle
and Lorelei have an auto wreck. The
blackmailers besmirch her good name,
Lorelei learns her mother Is an unscru-
pulous plotter. She finds in Adoree Dem
crest a real friend, and finds Bob Whar-
ton Is Hkable. Lorelei leaves her family
and goes to live alone. Lorelei and drum
ken Bob Wharton are tricked into mar
riage. Lilas shoots and wounds Ham
mon seriously.
The midland journal., 1917-08-03

same time he had become more and
more unapproachable. Unlimited power
had forced him into the peculiar isoIa-
tion of a chief executive; he had grown
hard, suspicious, arbitrary. Even to
his son he had been for years a remote
being.
1t was not until the last conferences
had broken up, not until the last forces
had been disposed for the coming bat
| tie, that he spoke to Merkle of Bob's
marriage. Merkle told him what he
knew, and the old man listened silent
ly. Then he drove to the Elegancia.
Bob and Lorelei had just returned
from the theater, much, be it said,
against the bridegroom's wishes. Bob
had been eager to begin the celebration
Of his marriage In fitting manner, and
1t had required the shock of Hammon's
death added to Lorelei's entreaties to
dissuade him from a night of hilarity.
He was flushed with drink, and in con-
sequence more than a little resentful
when she insisted upon spending an
other night in the modest little home.
"Say! I'm not used to this kind of
place." he argued. "I'm not a cave
dweller. It's lovely fat-for a MUIR
der-but it's no place to live"
Don't be silly" she told him. aWe
| acted on impulse; we can't change
everything at moments notice"
"But-people take trips when they
get married"
81 can't quit the show without two
weeks notice."
1.-TWO weeks" He was aghast.
1.-TWO minutes. Two seconds. l won't
have you lodging around stage DOORS"
Bergman won't let me go; 1t
wouldn't be right to ask him."
But Bob was insistent. 81 intend to
cure you Of the work habit You must
learn to scorn it. Look at me- I'm an
example Of the unearned increment.
We'll kiss this dlnky fiat fond fare
well-it's impossible, really-I refuse
to share such a dark secret with you.
Tomorrow we leave it for the third and
last time. What d'you say to the sunny
side of the Ritz until we decide where
we want to travel?"
Just then the apartment bell rang.
Bob went to the door. He returned
with his father at his heels Mr. Whar-
ton tramped in grimly, nodded at his
daughter-in-law, who had risen at the
first sound Of his voice, then ran his
eyes swiftly over the surroundings
Il hear you've made fool of your
self again." he began, showing his
teeth in faint smile. "Have you
given up your apartment at the Charlie
voix?"
"Not yet" said Bob. "We're consid-
ering a suite at the Ritz for a few
days"
Indeed. You're going back to the
Charlevoix tonight"
Lorelei started She had expected
opposition, but was unprepared for
anything so blunt and businesslike. II
think you and Bob can talk more free
ly If leave you alone" she said.
Hannibal Wharton replied shortly:
mo, don't leave. I'll talk freer with
you here"
1t appeared, however, that Robert
stood in no awe Of his fathers anger;
he said lightly:
''They never come back, dad. I'm a
regular married man. Lorelei is my
royal consort, my yoke-mate, my rib.
Wen have to scratch the Charlevoix."
This levity left the caller unmoved:
to Lorelei he explained:
81 want no notoriety, so all we need
talk about is terms. You'll fare better
The midland journal., 1917-08-03

ulous droop of her lower lip. Seizing
Lorelei by the shoulders, she held her
of as the target for searching gaze.
''Tell me, did they make you marry
him?" she inquired, fiercely. 1t was
plain to whom she referred.
"No."
"Whew! I'm glad to hear that. You
love him, don't you?"
The answer came readily enough,
and the blue eyes did not finch, but
the smile was trihe fixed and the
cheeks remained colorless.
"Why, of course. He's very nice"
"Loreleiw Miss Demorest's fingers
tightened; her voice was tragic, but she
had no chance to say more, for Bob
called just then from the living room:
Hurry back, girls. There's some
thing burning and I can't find the
emergency brake"
When Adoree finally came forth in
one of Loreleis aprons-really fetch
ing garment, more like house dress
than an apron-Bob told her whom
they were expecting as the other guest.
She paused with bread-knife up
raised.
'That-viper?" she cried.
Campbell isn't viper; he's cricket
"a dramatic cricket" declared Bob.
Adoree began to undo the buttons at
her back, but Bob seized her hands.
'Let go. I'll blow up if see that
creature" she exclaimed, in a kind of
subdued shout.
Argument proved vain until Lorelei
told her firmly: you owe it to your
self. dear. And we won't let you CO."
The dancer ceased her struggles, her
brows puckered.
Seriously, now, Lorelei has told me
everything, and l want Campbell to
acknowledge his mistake" said Bob.
"The public has swallowed that royalty
hoax, but there's no use deceiving him."
Despite her show of bravery Adoree
was panic-stricken when the bell rang
and Bob went to the door to explain
the change Of plan and invite Pope in.
He entered the living room with hand
extended and smile upon his lips,
then halted as If frozen. By the time
he had been introduced to Adoree he
had burst into gentle perspiration.
AS for Miss Demorest, she took a
grim delight in his discomfort, and pre-
pared to blast him with sarcasm, to
wither him with her contempt when
the moment came. Meanwhile she lis
tened as the two men talked, turning
up her nose when Pope scored Broad
way with his usual bitterness.
HE thinks that's smart" she re-
fected; but she, too, detested the Great
Trite Way, and his words expressed
her own distaste so aptly that she
could think of no argument sufficiently
biting to confOund him. She delib-
erately framed a stinging reference to
his pose in the matter of dress, though
in frankness she had to admit that he
wore his gray sweater vest with an air
of genuine comfort and unconscious
ness.
Pope was noticeably Ill at ease. He
was conscious of Miss Demorest's hos
tile eyes, and the pointed manner in
which she ignored his presence was dis
quietlng. Bob appeared to enjoy his
lack of repose, and offered no relief. At
last Pope turned to the piano and flut-
tered through the stack Of sheet music
he found there.
"Do you play?" inquired Bob.
Eyes. Why?"
"You look as If you did-you're kind
of-badly nourished. Know any rag
timeT"
The musician groaned. After a mo-
ment he murmured. 81 improvise a
good deal" The instrument, perhaps
for the first time in its life, began to
vibrate and ring to something besides
The midland journal., 1917-08-03


for the evening meal. In view OF all
this she answered:
"Yes, to dinner. Please, please come"
Lorelei was not quite sure that Bob
would consent to dine in the modest
little home, but under the circum-
stances idleness was maddening, so she
fell to work. This was very different
from what she had expected, but
everything was different. Once the
marriage had become known to Bob's
people and he had thoroughly sobered
down, once she had withdrawn from
the cast of the Revue, their real life
would begin.
Bob was pale and a bit unsteady
when he arrived, but Lorelei saw that
he suffered only from the effects of his
previous debauch. He was extremely
self-conscious and uneasy in her pres
ence, though he kissed her with a
brave show Of confidence.
IL galloped into the bank just as they
slammed the DOORS" he explained, "but
my bookkeeping Is rotten"
"Are you trying to tell me that you
have overdrawn"
Exactly. But 1 drew against the
old gentleman, as usual, so on with the
dance. What's the-er-idea of the
apron"
''It's nearly dinner time"
Bob's eyes opened with surprise
why, we're going to Delmonico's."
Il
mind" She eyed him appealingly. 81
don't feel equal to going out tonight
I'm-afraid."
His glance frightened with admira-
ton. "Well, you look stunning in that
get-up, and I'd hate to see you change
it. Do you mean to say you can cook"
"Not well, but can fry almost any
thing. Mother has a maid. I couldn't
afford two"
II love fried things" he assured her,
with a 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
on the cob with fried salad and cheese"
"Don't tease" she begged, uncertain
ly. II hardly know what I'm doing,
and thought this would keep me busy
until theater time"
He extended a hand timidly and
patted her arm, saying with unexpect-
ed gentleness:
"Please don't worry. 1t was a ter
rible night for all of us. When 1
think Of it I'm sure it must have been
a dream. I saw Merkle. He got back
to Hammon's house ahead of the doc
tor and 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 busi-
ness on such day?"
Bob shrugged carelessly. "Tm only
joke broker. The governor thinks
firm name looks well on my cards. I
hope he doesn't lose more than mil
lion in this furry-it won't improve his
disposition. But-wait till he learns
I've married girl who can fry
things By the way" Bob paused.
II invited friend to dine with us to-
night"
Lorelei was less dismayed than he
had expected. $50 have l." she said.
II thought it might be pleasanter
for you," he explained, bit awkward
ly, "inasmuch as we're not very we'll
acquainted. l saw before 1 went out
that you ouwere-er-embarrassed-and
and" He flushed boyishly, scarce
ly conscious of the delicacy that had
The midland journal., 1917-08-03
CHAPTER xv-continued.

Bob refined in and leaped from his
box. Merkle had the cab door open
and was hosting Harmon from his
seat.
Have you got the key?" Bob asked,
swiftly.
s 'Yes. Help me! He's tainted, I
think"
They lifted the half-conscious man
out, then with him between them strug-
gled up the steps; but Hammon's feet
dragged; he hung very heavy in their
arms.
Merkle was not a strong man; he
was painting, and his hands shook as
he fumbled with the lock. The key
escaped him and tinkled upon the
stone.
Hurry! Here comes the watch
man." Bob was gazing over his shoul-
der at the slowly approaching figure.
A second but briefer delay, and they
stood in the gloom Of the marble foyer
hall. Then they shuffied across the
floor to the great, curving stairway.
Hammon had assured them that there
would be no one in the house except
Orson, his man, and some Of the kitch-
en- servants, the others having followed
less the rescuers' nerves were painfully
taut, and they tried to go as silently
as burglars; when they finally gained
the library, they were drenched with
perspiration. Merkle switched on the
lights; they deposited the wounded
man on a couch and bent over him.
Harmon was not dead. Merkle felt
his way into the darkened regions at
the rear and returned with glass of
spirits. Under his and Bob's ministra-
tions the unconscious man opened his
eyes.
"You got me here, didn't you?" he
whispered, as he took in his surround
ings. "Now go-everything is all
right"
"We're not going to leave you"
Merkle said, positively.
"No!' echoed Bob. "I'll wake up Or
son while John telephones the doctor"
But Harmon forbade Bob's move
u
despite his weakness his mind re-
mained clear.
Listen to me-" he ordered. "Prop
me up-put me in that chair. I'm
choking" They did as he directed,
That's better. Now, you mustn't be
seen here-either of you. We can't
explain" He checked Merkle. 81
know best Go home; it's only two
blocks-I'll telephone"
you'll ring for Orson quick?"
Harmon nodded.
'Rotten way to leave man." Bob
mumbled. "I'd rather stick it out and
face the music"
"Go, go! You're wasting time"
Hammon's brow was wrinkled with
pain and anger. you've been good;
now hurry"
Merkle's thin face was marked with
deep feeling. "Yes," he agreed.
s'There's nothing else for us to do; but
tell Orson to phone me quick. I'll be
back here in five minutes" Then he
and Bob stole out of the house as qui-
etly as they had stolen in.
They got into the cab and drove
away without exciting suspicion
Merkle alighted two blocks up the ave-
nue. and sped to his own house; Bob
turned his jaded nag westward through
the sunken road that led toward the
Elegancia and Lorelei.
The owner of the equlpage was wait
ing patiently, and there still lacked
something of the allotted hour when
the exchanged garments had beer
The midland journal., 1917-08-03

Adoree Demorest, the dancer,
and Campbell Pope, the critic,
once more. He Is the man who
told all New York through his
dramatic column that she was
the most shameless woman on
the stage. Really a good girl,
she naturally despises him for
thus besmirching her. Well, they
meet at dinner. How the bar
rier between them is broken and
how they begin a friendship Is
told in delightful manner In this
lnstaIlment.
The midland journal., 1917-08-03

by dealing directly with me than
through lawyers-I'll fight lawsuit
so let's get down to business. You
should realize, however, that these set
Elements are never as large as they're
advertised. I'll pay you ten thousand
dollars and stand the costs of the di-
vorce proceedings"
You are making a mistake" she
told him, quietly.
Not at all! Not at all!' Mr.. Whar-
ton exclaimed, irritably. 81 know real
sentiment when l see 1t, and I'll foot
the bill for this counterfeit, but I'm too
tired to argue"
The midland journal., 1917-08-03

Harmon has been shot. The prob
lem is to get him home unseen. Bob
Wharton rents a hack and drives It
himself.
The midland journal., 1917-08-03

. Do you believe that Lorelei
3 can be bought off for any sum
. of money? Would she consent
. to a divorce? Has Bob won her
Z regard?
. SOOo0SOSO00sOOOOOsSOOOOOei
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
Imperial Valley press., 1917-12-08

hoa.th. has proven to be OF little value,
he stid
Sandlc said 70 left Seattle in the
spring af 1913. secured supplies and
ammunition enough 20 last him about
two years, and made his way 10 his old
shack in the sasar,as. which he had left
in 1897,
"Evesyshsag MAS Nsss as had left
lit, ne said, "Nas a shsag had been
disturbed, ENea sAe sane grease was
in the frying pan II. waseA | had cook
ed nay last breakfast sAese in 1897, and
| was surprised 10 gSsa q AAegal guam
tity Of selas,lses es AsR,s> Ss4al IN a geed
state Of preservation y"
He spent she oSases saeaRAs IN Kill,
ing and pa@sesetias q ss9saS as game
for the winter ne ssfa. eFes sAes no
spent five WRITERS ana ROAR s@sasaess
there. He nnaae 4tseT sstahs selasA and
traded gold and fass 81 3ae f1fsssa.s For
more supplies. ise sae$ & Asaa II Waite
men in 1918, ba' they were gong SSaasN
and knew less than Ne s5a asesss sfe
outside world.
"When l left for she aosSs, ire ae,
Imperial Valley press., 1917-12-08

Two Other College-Bred Cows Pro-
duce Over 600 Pounds of Butterfat
in Ten MOnths--The Best Humboldt
County Cow Averaged 81 Pounds of
Butterfat per Month.
Imperial Valley press., 1917-12-08
UNIVERSITY COW
BREAKS RECORD

3UTTERFAT TOTALS GO GLlM-
MERING WHEN INTERESTED
JAP'S SANTA" GETS TO MAX.
ING BUTTER-NEARLY 70 LBS.
PER MONTH.
Imperial Valley press., 1917-12-08

to the War Department as an athletic
instructor in one of the army canton
ments.
His offer has been forwarded to
Washington, D. c., for consideration,
but if the War Department finds no
place for him as instructor he ha.
announced that he will enlist in the
army January /.
Miller Is over the registration age
He missed being called upon to reg
lister by 27 days. He was 81 year
old on May sthis year.