The Washington times., 1922-06-21
By Rex Beach,
Author OF ":Ths spoiiers.- '-Ths
Silver Horde" Tho Bsrrier,"
Heart Of the Sunset" and
Numerous Other Popular

Heart Of the Sunset" aue
Numerous Other Popular
8 Novels. j.,
THE banker had been -usirg
N his eyes with an interest
that betrayed his unfa.
familiarity with these surround
tngs. ct was on my way up
town and preferred not to
telephone" He looked meaningly
at Croft: and Lorelei. interpreting
his glance. sent the dresser from
the room on some errand. well.
the game worked" said .Merlxle.
Mrs. Harmon has left home and
commenced suit for divorce. II
our. friend Miss Lynn had set out
to ruin Jarvis socially--and per-
haps financially-she couldn't have.
played her cards better" ~
rs that what you came to tell
me7"s "
Merisie hesitated. NO" he ad-
smitted, 'it isn't; but I'm a bit EN-.
barrassed now that I'm here.
suppose your mother told about
seeins met"
=. my mother?" Lorelei's amaze
sment was convincing. and his
keen eyes softened. when did
you See mother? where?" .s~
Yesterday, at my office. Didn't
you know that she and your
brother had called?" ......
Lorelei shook her head; she felt
sick with dread Of his next words.
"It was very-unpleasant. I
fear, for all Of u.s.
what did they-want?" The
girl was still smiling. but her lips
beneath the paint were dry 1s'
"They felt that I had-er-in-
volved you in a great deal Of no
toriety. From what they said I
judged that you shared their feel
ings." He paused awlwardly once
more. and she mouoned himtfto
continue. Eve didn't get on very
we'll. especially your brother and
I: for he presumed to-criticize my
relations with you and-er-my mo-
tiys in taking you to ride the other
night. i believe I was quite rude
20 him; In fact, I had the watch
man eject him, not daring to trust
myself" ~
They asked" for--money7" Lo-
felei averted her face. for she could
not bear to meet his frank eyes.
"Yes-what I considered a great
deal Of money. understood they
represented you. They didn't in
-sist, however; they offered me a
choice" ,,
'Choice? OF what?"
''well-I inferred that marriage
would undo the wrong had"
Eager for the Rest.
"oh-ht' Lorelei rose with a gasp.
Bravely she stilled the tremor Of
her lips. y'Tell me--the rest
sr"There isn't much more. Your
mother was quite hysterical and
NOISY. Today a lawyer came to
zee me. He offers to settle the
whole matter. but prefer dealing
directly with YOU" -.
do you think knew anything
about TT" she cried, Indignantly.
= mo. / do not think so now.
Yesterday ! was. too much sur.
prised and too angry to know just
what I did think. It's perfectly
true, however. that I was to blame
for tha unfortunate outcome of the
ride. and I want TO make amends
for any injury" ...,..,.
Weren't you injured, too, by
the :publicity7" ,... ~.
Merkle showed his teeth in a
rnirthless smile.
That's neither here nor there"
( ,.Please--leave me. and--let me
mink this over. I must do some.
thing quickly, or-Pil smother"
, "I'm glad came" said he, ris.
ing. I'm glad made sure
SO. am I. What you have told
me mas made q great difference
ip- p-,-everything. Don't allow them
tor" She hesitated and her voice
broke. 'T can't say It. Y.you
must think I'm-pnspealsable."
He shook his head sravely. mo,
! merely think you are very un.
fortunate. Think you need help
more than any girl ! ever knew"
IT do. I do" ~
rBut.I am not the one to give Il