The Arvada enterprise., 1917-02-01

anCc-a gloomy. watcnIul HEuIc. ~"
rcloi came down boldly, dressed Tor
the street, and, since she could not pass
the hcsIeger. crossed under the stage,
made her way into the orchestra PIT,
and gcd to leave the thcater by
the front door.
She was waiting when Jim came
home, and followed him into his room,
where they could talk without disturb
ing their father. Lorclei made her ac-
cusation boldly, prepared for the usual
burst OF anger. but Jim listened pa
ticnNy until she paused.
81 knew you had to spill this. so
let YOU rave" said he. But It's too
late; somebody has been after Ham
mon for n long time. and he's been
cot-ycs, and got good. Take flash
at the Chorus Girls Bible" He
tossed his sister copy of a prominent
theatrical paper. II waited unta 1t
scamc out"
Lorelci gaspcd for on the front page
glarcd black-typed headlines Of the
Harmon scandal. John Merkle's name
was there, too. and, linked with it, her
| own.
what is-this?" She ran her Dye
swiftly down the column.
"Sure. Melcher commenced suit
against Harmon this afternoon. Fifty
thousand dollars for alienation Of Ii
las affections. Joke, eh? He claims
there was common-law marriage ana
he'll get the coin"
"But Mrs. Hammon"
''The evidence Is In her hands al
ready-dates, places. photographs, ev-
erythIng. She'll win her suit, too"
Were you by any chance working
for Mrs Hammon?"
| Divining his sisters prejudice, Jim
lied promptly and convlncingly. '"Why,
Mrs. Hammon, Of course. l had a
chance to turn few dollars, and I
took It,"
But why did you drag me in?
Couldn't you keep me out Of It? This
Is dreadful" AS she ran her eye over
the article she saw that 1t was quite
in harmony with the general tone and
policy of the paper. which catered to
the faded throngs of the Tenderloin.
Truth had been cunningly distorted {;
flippancy, sensationalism and, sala-
cious double meaning ran through 1t
all.
whats dreadful about it?" inquired
her brother THAT sort Of advertising
does n show-g girl good. You've got to
make people talk about you, sis, and
this'll bring gang Of high rollers your
way. You've been so blamed proper
that nobody's interested in you any
more"
For a moment Lorelei scrutinized
her brother in silence, taken aback at
his outrageous philosophy. Jim had
changed greatly, she muscd; not until
very lately had she observed the full
measure OF the change in him. He was
no longer the country boy, the play
mate and confidant Of her youth but n
man, sophisticated, hard, secretive. He
had been. thoroughly Manhattanized,
she perceived, and he was as foreign
to her as a stranger. She shook her
head hopelessly.
You're n strange brother" she said.
"I hardly know what to make Of you.
Has the city killed every decent In
stlnct in you, Jimi
"Now, don't begin on the Old Home
stuff" he replied, testify. 'Do you
really Intend to marry a bunch of
coin;"
That's the program. Isn't It? I've
been raised for that and nothing else"
well. ma can't put 1t over, so I
guess it's up to me-" After moment
he added, would you accept Merkle?"
Lorelel shivercd. "Oh-no! Not Mr..
Mcrklc."
''Humph! You ought to consider the
cured. mad be happy. could get on
my feet. How about Bob Whartoni'
Lets not talk about 1t, please. Mr.
Wharton Is getting nasty, and-I'm be,
ginning to be afraid OF him."
I'm bet you could land him
"Please. don't want to think
about 1t. dare say I'll bring myself
to marry some rich man some day;
Wharton" She shud,
dercd for second time. ''If Mr..
Wharton Is serious this scandal will
scare him on, or else he'll become
lust like the others. l could cry. lie
threatened me tonight: | don't know
how I'll manage TO avoid him tomor-
row night"
Hmm! He's coming that strong,
chf" was Jims Interested query: but
on hearing his sisters account of tAc
young mllllonairc's determined pursuit
he volunteered In his ofrhand way to
assls, her.
"I'll come for you myself, and wei!
whip over TO "A cafe for supper"
"HOu'll save me from him." said 10.
rclci. with wan smile, "and I'll know
that you are in good company for one
evening at least"
Don't lose any sleep over my hnb.
It's" he told her. lightly.
As Jim and his mother brcakfaStcd
together on the following morning he
broachcd the subject OF his recent con.
vcrsatlon with Lorclcl.
! "Shp'g gnrp ohnnt ,ho y,nrv" "a,