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


him to continue Eve didn't get on
very well, especially your brother and
|. for he presumed to-criticize my re-
lations with you and-er-my motive
In taking you to ride the other night.
| believe was quite rude to him, in
fact, ] had the Waterman eject him,
not daring to trust myself"
'They asked for-money?" Lorelei
averted her face. for she could not
bear to meet his frank eyes.
"yes-what considered great deal
of money. understood they repre-
scented you. They didn't insist, how
ever; they offered me choice"
"Choice. OF whatT'
"Well--I inferred that marriage
would undo the wrong had"
"Ohh" Lorelei rose with a gasp.
Brayely she stillcd the tremor Of her
lips. TELL me--the rest"
'There isn't much more. Your moth
or was quite hysterical and-noisy To-
day a lawyer came to see me. He
offers to settle the whole matter, but
| prefer dealing directly with you
'Do you think knew anything
about it?' she cried, Indignantly.
mo, | do not think 50 now Yester-
day | was too much surprised and too
angry TO know just what | did think.
It's perfectly true, however, that was
to blame for the unfortunate outcome
Of the ride, and | want to make
amends for any injury"
Weren't you injured, too, by the
nublcity"
Merkle showed his teeth in a mlrth-
less smile.
That's neither here nor there"
"ploase--lcave me, and-let me
think this over. | must do something
quickly, or-rll smother
I'm glad came said he, rising.
I'm glad made sure
$50 am I. What you have told me
has made great difference n-every-
thing. Don't allow them to-" She
hesitatcd and her voice broke. y
can't say il. You must think I'm
unspea!iablc.'
He shook his head gravely. "No, |
merely think you are very unfortu-
nate think you need help more than
any girl ever knew"
81 do. do
"But | am not the one to give it
at least not The Kind of help you need"
I'm need help more than evey-after
/ tonight"
Yes? Why?'
Because I'm going to leave home"
Lorelei's head was up. and she spoke
with a note Of defiance.
"Then perhaps can do something"
He seated himself again. You will
need money
"Oh, no. have my salary and the
other revenues you know about. I
have kept my family for two years"
Work won't hurt you, but why
force yourself to 90 on with those
othor things2 They're not to your
liking, I'm SIRE"
"My mother and father must live.
There isn't en0ugh--don't you see?
! There lust isn't enough FOR all Of us
unless / graft like the other girls"
Merkle broke out impatently: Make
an end of it. III finance you" She
laughed little harshly. Don't think
for an instant that I'd venture to ex-
poet anything in return. won't
trouble you; | won't even see you.
Nobody will ever know. | wouldn't
miss the money, and I'd really love to
do It, You tried to do me a favor
"There's no use arguing"
"Wel, don't be stubborn or hasty
You could use-say, ten thousand dol
lars 1t would keep you going very
nicely, and really it's only the price
of a new auto"
"Why do you offer me so muchT
she asked, curlously.
Because ! like you- oh. meat
like not love- Because | thinl
you're good and will need money tt
remain good. You're not an ordinary
woman Miss Knight; you can't live az
ordinary women live, now that you're
famous. New York won't let YOU
You're very kind and generous
after all that has occurred and afte
knowing my reason for being here.
my dear child. you didn't choos,
your family. and as for the other tn,
women of my set marry for money
just as you plan to do SO do womel
everywhere, for that matter and man,
|