The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1917-06-08

alter their system of living. But it
was in the girl that the changes
showed most. When Mrs. Knight had
daughter she had spoken with the wis
dom of a Cassandra. Moreover, she
took naturally to the work, finding it
more like play; and, being quite free
from girlish timidity, she felt no stage
fright, even upon her first appearance.
Her recognition had followed quickly
it was impossible to hide such perfec
ton of loneliness as hers-and the
publicity pleased her. In due course
rival managers began to make offers,
which Mrs. Knight, rising nobly to the
first test of her business ability, used
as levers to raise her daughters salary
and to pry out Of Bergman five-year
contract. The role of the Fairy Prin-
cess was result.
Lorelei had arrived at the point
where further advancement depended
upon study and hard work; but, since
these formed no part Of the family
program, she remained idle. Prof.
cheney in stagecraft of any sort comes
only at the expense of peonage, and
this girl was being groomed solely for
matrimony.
With the support Of the family en-
tirely upon her shoulders, she had been
driven to many shifts in order to
stretch her salary to livable proper
tons. Peter was a total burden, and
Jim either refused or was unable to
contribute toward the common fund,
while the mother devoted her time al
most solely to managing Loreleis af
fairs. Presents were showered 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
commission on the money spent She
was we'll paid for posing: advertise
ments of toilet articles, face creams,
dentifrices, yielded something. In the
commercial exploitation Of her daugh-
ter Mrs. knight developed something
like genius. But of all the so-called
gratis 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 ,taXicabs and entered Proctor's
hotel, shortly before midnight, they
were met by head waiter and shown
into an ornate ivory-and-gold elevator,
which lifted them noiselessly to an up
per floor. They made their exit into a
deep-carpeted hall, at the end of which
two splendid creatures in the panoply
of German field marshals stood guard
over one of the smaller banquet rooms.
Harmon himself greeted the girls
when they had surrendered their
Lorelei, engaged Lilas in earnest con-
versation.
Lorelei watched him curiously. She
saw a 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
big man in more ways than one. Play
fully he pinched Lilas' cheek, then
turned with a smile to say:
you'll pardon us for whispering,
won't you, Miss Knight? You see, Lii
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. I 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 rejoinder, 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.
Harmon was introducing two Of his
friends-one languid, middle-aged
man, the other large-featured person
with a rumbling voice. The former
dropped his cigarette and bowed cour-
teously. His appearance as he faced
Lorelei was prepossessing, and she
breathed a thanksgiving as she took
his arm.
Harmon clapped the other gentle
man upon the shoulder, crying: Han
nibal, saw your supper partner f1irt-
ing with Handsome Dan Avery. Bet
ter find her quick"
Lorelei recognized the deep-voiced
man as Hannibal G. Wharton, one of
the dominant figures in the Steel syn
dictate; she knew him instantly from
his newspaper pictures. The man be-
side her, however, was stranger, and
she raised her eyes to his with some
curiosity. He was studying her with
manifest admiration, despite the fact
that his lean features were cast in a
sardonic mold.
ut is pleasure to meet a celebrity
like you, Miss Knight" he murmured.