Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-09-05
CHAPTER XIII.

9Ion quite as keenIy as did his mother
and father. for his schemes. though in
ehoste we're ambitious. and his heart
was set upon them. Isorelei*s obstf-
narv was cooperating woman's
unacrountable frea kIshness-
He c0udded his disappointment TO
Max Ielcher ITS pretty tough
comnsalued Jimmy 81 had MerkIe GO
ing. but she grabbed il. Then just as
hat boob Wharton was getting daf1er
ever her every day she gets her back
80 ard The whole thing is cold"
Won mean it's cold so far as you're
concerned" sfelcher Judicislly amend
ed
esure. She's sore on me, and the
whole family"
Then this is just the time 70 marry
her Off New York is a mighty lone
some place for a girl like her. suppose
take d hand"
"Au right"
'awu you declare me 1nEH
Certainly"
Nalcher eyed his associate coldly
seTherp's no certainly about it. You'd
throw your own mother if you got q
chance But you can't throw me, I'M
deTst8ud? You try a cross and-the
c0ld-meat wagon for yours. I'll have
you stabbed at the morgue."
Jlmmys reply left no doubt Of the
commences Of his fears. If not Of his
Intentions Strange stories were told
in the TeuderIoiu-tales Of treachery
punished and ingrabtude revenged.
Jmmv knew several young men who
appeared out Of the East side at Mel
cher-s signal They were iucouspicu-
ous fellows. who bore fanctful dime
novel unmes-and no rustler's strong
hold of the old-time western cattle
country ever boosted more formidable
outlaws than they. Jim knew these
gunner well; he had no wish TO know
them worse,
A can't promise anything definite
when she's sore on me-" he declared.
'tHe,s about ready TO ask her-sbe's
the one to fix She hates men. though.
and that NerkIe story made her crazy"
1Telcher poudered for several mo
meat=. II think ! know LoFelei better
than you do" he stated. deliberately,
"aud believe we can pull this of, pro
vjded Wharton really wants to marry
her Anyhow he's so rich it's worth
The odds. and she's Just the sort TO
fall for st. Meanwhile I want IL I'M
ders1ood with your mother that I
share in what comes her way
IN fix that" promised Jim.
Tie found it, in fact, no very dificult
task TO regain at least 4 part Of his
sisters lost esteem. though the process
took time He went about if with the
lazy. catlike patience of his kind, be-
haved himself kept his mouth shut,
and assumed just enough of an injured
air to be plausible. He enlisted the
aid of his mother and Of Tilas Lynn,
and meanwhile made himself as agree
able as possible to Robert Wharton.
Melcher was as good as his word
and there shortly appeared in the Dis
patch an unpleasant rehash Of the for
mer story 1t was published in con-
nection with the Harmon divorce pro-
ceedings. news of which was exciting
comment, and it further smirched Lo-
Teleps reputation. Jim was appropri-
8teIy indignant but helpless, and Mrs.
Knight unweariedly blamed everything
upon her daughters desertton Of the
family circle, predicting more evil TO
follow unless Lorelei CAM home at
once. She also dwelt upon the fact
that Peter was steadily falling and
was in immediate need Of both medical
and surgical attention. The doctor had
pronounced sentence. prescribing a to
raj change of living and a treatment
by foreign specialists.
In some unaccountabIe way the story
Of Nobel Bergman's humiliation be
came public and afforded the basis for
q newspaper article that brought him
20 Lorelei's dressing room in fine
fury. Even after she had convinced
him Of her innocence his resentment
was so bitter that she expected her dis
missal at any time.
Other press stories followed; the girl
suddenly found herself notorious;
scarcely a day passed without some
GisagTeeab bic mention Of her. Adoree
Demorest, as indignant as Lorelei her
self, declared finally that her friend
must he the object Of a premeditated
attack directed by some strong hand,
and once this suspicion had entered
L0reieis mind It took root in spite OF
Its seeming extravaganza. Her good
sense argued that she was of too little
consequence 70 warrant such an as
sau5r but her relatives seized the sug-
gestion so avidly as 10 more than half
convince her.
Mrs Knight attributed this injustice
first to Bergman, then to Merlle, whom
she hated bitterly since her unfortu-
nate attempt at blackmail; Jim was
inclined TO agree with her. Mrs.
Knight. as always, ended her sym2a-
thetic reassuranees by saying, TT you
We're only married. my dear, that
wonld end all orr troubles.
The climax of these annoyances
came one night after q party at which
l-orelei had been presented 10 an old
IFlendeof Miss Lynn's T-iIas had iu-
lroduced the man as enc Of her girl
mood ehums. and Lorelei had tried 10
% nice 10 him: then III some way ne