Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1919-05-29
CHAPTER XIV.

Daphne wanted to run away from
her thoughts and she walked for a
mile or two up the deep ravine of
Broadway. She dared not 60 back to
Mrs. Chivvis just yet with her bad
news. She thought of asking Clay for
a loan. She swept the appalling idea
from her brain with a puff of derision.
Besides, he was out of town, Bayard
had said. She thought of asking Tom
Duane for it. She tried to blow that
idea from her mind, but it kept drift
ing back like a bit of stubborn thistle
down. She could not outwalk it.
At length she grew so desperate
that she stopped at a telephone booth
and brazenly called up Duane's num-
Der. He CHANGED to be at home. When
he heard her voice he cried:
"Oh Lord, it's good to hear you.
Sing again, sing again, nightingale!
"Im no nightingale. I'm a business
woman, offering you an investment"
She told him the whole story. The
name of Mrs. Romilly made him whis-
tie. "Old Gorgon Zola," he called her,
and added, you're a made woman"
"But the clothes aren't made, and !
can't make 'em till l get some money.
Would yOu-could you advance me a
little on the most excellent security"
"How much do you want? Where
shall l bring it,"
Mail two-er-fve hundred dollars
to the shop, will you? And I can never
thank you enough"
Flush, It's me that thanks you.
Don't you want more?"
"No, thanks"
ut will be there in the early mail
and I may call round later to put a
mortgage or something on the place."
"GOod-by," she chuckled, and hung
up the receiver. She was crying soft
ly rs she stole from the blessed booth,
and she looked less like a successful
business woman than ever.
Something made her think of Weth-
erell. She stopped off at Bayard's
floor and rang the bell. Leila's new
butler admitted her with pomp. Daph-
ne walked past him into the drawing
room. Leila and Wetherell were
standing there in heavy coats. They
seemed to be a little shocked at seeing
Daphne. She was horribly hurt at
seeing them, but she chirruped:
. "Just come in?"
"Just going out" Leila answered,
kissing Daphne nervously.
"Where?" Daphne asked, with in
trepidity, as she shook hands with
Wetherell-a prize-fighter's prelimi-
nary handshake it was.
"Oh-er-just motoring about a
bit"
"Thanks-Fd love it," Daphne dared
to say, almost as much amazed as
they were at hearing her accept the
invitation that had not been given.
She was quite shameless from their
point Of view, but she felt that il
would be objectionable to let her
brothers wife go unrebuked or al
least unaided and unchaperoned on 8
cruise so perilous to reputation if moi
to character.
While she was at the miserable
business she decided to make a goot
job Of 1t. When they went down t
the car she squeezed in between Leilt
and Wetherell. Leila blanched will
jealousy and cold rage.
They dined at Long Beach ant
watched the dancers, in sullen mood
Wetherell ordered much champaign,
and would not listen to Lella's plea.
that he let it alone. He frightened he
a little by his reckless mood, ant
Daphne began to dread the journe,
home in the dark with champagnet
hands on the steering wheel.
After Daphne and he had executed
funeral dance Leila was emboldene,
to step out with him. They talket
very earnestly and he seemed to hor
rify her by what he said to her
Daphne could not imagine what /
was. Bayard had not told her Of Weth
%erell's downfall from power.
Wetherell confessed his disgrace Il
Leila in the dance. and Leila was sick
ened with the sordid outcome Of he
romance. She had played with fir
and got SCOT on her hands. She Qui
the dance md asked to be taken home