The Beaver Herald (Beaver, Okla.), Vol. 30, No. 22, Ed. 1, Thursday, November 2, 1916 Page: 11 of 12
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THE BEAVER HERALD BEAVER OKLAHOMA
IV '
tf
eAUCTIOS BLOCK
A aovel or NEW vork: UFE
fROCBEACn t T
'ILLUSTRATIONS T PARKER.
Author of
V The Iron Train
"The Spoilers"
"The Silver Horde" Etc.
8YN0PSI8.
3
Peter Knight defeated for political of-
flee In his town decides to venture New
Tork In order that the family fortunes
tnfght benefit by the expected rice of his
-charming daughter Lorelei. A well-
"known critic Interviews Lorelei Knight
-now stage beauty with Bergman's Revue
for a special article. Her coln-huntlnx
mother outlines Lorelei's ambitions but
Blosaon the press Agent later adds his
Information. Lorelei attends Millionaire
3tsmmon's gorgeous entertainment. Bhe
.meets Merkle a wealthy dyspeptic. Dob
"Wharton comes uninvited.
4
4
4
i
4
4
4
J-
Adoree Demorest Is queer
woman. Nobody really knows
anything about her life. She It
advertised at vicious merely be-
cause such advertisement at-
tracts attention to her and
money to .the theater owner. Her
place In this story makes the
tory much better than It would
be otherwise. Pay heed to Ado-
ree't dolngt.
CHAPTER IV Continued.
"Why don't you ask Miss Doraorost7
She enmo with you"
Wharton sighed hopelessly. "Some-
thing queer about that Jnno D'you
know what made us late? She went
to mass on the wny down."
"Mass? At what hour?"
"It was a special midnight service
conducted for actors. I sat In the taxi
and waited. It did me a lot of good."
Some time later Merkle returned to
find Bob still animatedly talking;
catching Lorelei's eye he signified a
desire to speak with her but sho
found It difficult to escape from the
Intoxicated young man at her Ride At
last however she succeeded and
joined her supper companion -at the
farther edge of the fountain where tho
tireless cuplds still poured water from
the cornucopias.
Merklo was watching his friend's
ton with a frown.
"You have Just left the personlflca-
tlon of everything I detest" ho volun-
teered. "You heard what his father
said about raising him how he taught
Bob to drink when he drank and follow
In his footsteps. But that Isn't what
I want to say to you. Help me feed
these foolish goldflsh while I talk."
"Do you think anybody would under-
stand If they overheard you? I fan-
cied you and I were tho only sober
ones left"
"Some of tho girls are all right."
Merkle eyed his companion closely.
"Don't you drink?"
"I have nothing but my looks.
Wouldn't I be a fool to'sacrlAcothera?"
"You seem to bo sensible Miss
Knight Something tells me you're
very much the right sort. I know
you're trying to get ahead and I can
help you if you'll help me. I need an
agent nnd I'll pay a good prlco to the
right person."
"How mysterlousl"
"I'll bo plain . That affair yonder"
tie nodded toward Jarvls Ilammon and
Ulas Lynn "strikes you as a well
ns a' ulrtatlon. It Is something very
different for he's In earnest. Ho thinks
be Is Injuring no one but himself with
this business and he Is willing to pay
tho price; but the fact Is ho Is putting
other people In peril me among the
rest Nobody outsldo of a man's fam-
ily has tho right to question his private
Mfe so long as It Is private in Us con-
sequences. But when his secret con-
duct affects his business affairs when
"Why Don't You Ak Mlta Demorest?"
It endangers vast Interests In which
others are concerned then his associ
ates nro entitled to take a hand. Do
I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly. Hut you don't want me;
you waht a detocllre."
"My dear child tv have them by
tho score. YTa hire them by the year
b4 they have told us all they can.
Vt Mad tattte Information."
The girl's answer was made with her
habitual self-possession.
"I've heard about such things. I've
heard about men prying Into each oth-
er's private affairs pretending to be
friends when they were enemies and
using scandal for business ends. Ulas
Lynn Is my friend at least In a way
and Mr Ilammon Is my host Just as
he Is yours. Ob I know; this Isn't a
conventional party and I'm not hero
as a conventional guest Inside tho
little coin purse he gave me Is a hundred-dollar
bill but. Just the same I
don't care to act as your spy."
Merklc's grave attention arrested
Lorelei's burst of indignation.
"Will you hellevo me" he asked
"when I tell you that Jarvls Ilammon
and Hannibal Wharton are the two
best friends I have In the world 7 This
Is more than a business matter Miss
Knight."
"I can hardly believe that."
"It's true however; I mean to serve
nnmmon. At the same time I must
serve myself nnd those who trust me.
I fear In fact I'm sure that ho Is
being used. I've learned tilings about
Miss Lynn that you may not know.
What you have told me tonight adds
to my anxiety and I must know
more."
"What for Instance?"
"Her real feeling for him her Inten-
tions her relations with a man named
Melcher "
"Maxcy Melcher?"
"The same. Do you know his busi-
ness?" "No."
"Ho is n gambler a political power;
a crafty unscrupulous fellow who rep
resentsbig people. By helping mo
you can serve many Innocent persons
nnd most of all perhaps Ilammon
himself."
Lorelei was silent for a moment.
"This Is very unusual" she sold at
length. "I don't know whether to be-
lieve you or not."
"Suppose then you let the matter
rest and keep your eyes open. When
you convince yourself who means best
to Jarvls Miss Lynn and Melchtr and
their crowd or I and mine mae your
decision. You may name yiur own
price"
"There wouldn't be any price" sho
told him Impatiently. "I'll wait"
Merklo bowed. "I can trust your
discretion. Thank you for listening to
me and thank you for being agreeable
to an Irascible old dyspeptic. Will you
permit mo to drive you home when
you're ready?"
"I'm ready now."
But ns Lorelei made her way unob-
truslrclv toward the cloakroom sho en
countered Itobert Wharton who barred
her path.
"Fairy Princess you ran away" he
declared accusingly.
"I'm leaving." She saw that his In-
toxication had reached n more ad-
vanced stage. His cheeks were flushed;
his eyes were wild and unsteady
"Good news! Tho night Is young;
wo'll watch It grow up."
"Thank you no. I'm going home."
"A common mistake. Others have
tried nnd failed." With extreme grav
ity he focused his gaze upon her say-
ing "Homo is the one place that our
mayor can't close"
Sho extended her hand. "Good night"
"I don't understand. Speak Eng-
lish." "Good night."
Wharton's countenance darkened un-
pleasantly and bis volco was rough.
"Where'd you learn that line? It's
country stuff. Wo'll leave when I'm
ready. Now wo'll have a trot."
The music was playing; other
couples were dancing and he seized
her In his arms whirling her away. In
and out among tho chairs he piloted a
dizzy course while she yielded reluct-
antly conscious meanwhile that Ado-
re Demorest was watching them with
Interest
For an Interval Wharton said noth-
ing; then with a change of tone he
murmured In her ear: "D'you think I'd
let you spoil the wholo night? Can't
you see I'm crazy about you?"
Lorelei endeavored to free herself
from his embrace but he clutched her
the tighter and laughed Insolently.
"Nothing llko a good 'turkey' to get
acquainted Is there? We're going to
dance till we'ro old 'folks."
Sho continued to struggle; they were
out of step and-out of time but be
held her away from himself easily
bending a hot glance upon her up-
turned face. She saw that he was
panting and doubly drunk with her
nearness. "Don't fight I've got you."
She was smiling faintly out of bablt.
but mistaking her expression ho drew
her close once more then burled his
faco In her neck and kissed her just at
tho turn of her bare shoulder.
Then sho tore herself away and his
triumphant laugh was cut short as she
slapped him resoundingly her stinging
Angers leaving their Imprint on his
cheek.
nor eyes wero Coming and her lips
wero white with fury though she con
tinued to smile.
"nere! What d'you mean by that?"
ho cried.
Bhe silenced him sharply: "Hush I
Remember you broke In here. I'd like
to see you In that fountain."
There was n swish e-f garments a
musical laugh and Adorce Demorest
was between them.
"I'm madly Jealous Scnor Roberto"
she exclaimed. "Come you must dance
once raoro with me. Wo'll finish this.
What?" She swayed toward him In
sympathy wltt the music snapping her
fingers and humming the words of the
song.
"She walloped me like a sailor"
the young man stammered Incoherent-
ly. "She wants to see me In the foun-
tain." "Then Jump In like a gentleman"
laughed the danscuse. "But dance
with mo flrst." She entwined her arms
about htm and forced him Into motion.
As she danced away she signaled over
her shoulder to Lorelei who mado
haste to seek the cloakroom.
When she emerged John Merkle was
waiting In the hall. A shout of laugh-
ter echoed from the banquet ball nnd
sho started.
"That's nothing" Merklo told her.
"Bob Wharton Is In the fountain. He
says he's a goldllsh."
"now do you know?" Inquired his
sister.
"Maybe 1 got the dogeared dope"
mocked the brother. "Maybe Max Mel
cher told me. Anyhow you could land
Merkle Just as easy If you'd declare
Max In."
"Now Jim" protested Mrs. Knight
"I won't let you put such Ideas Into
her head. You and that gang of
yours are full of tricks but Lorelei's
decent and she's going to stay decent
You'd get everybody In Jail or In tho
newspapers."
"Has Maxey ever been In Jail? Has
Tony the Barber? No you bet they
haven't and they never will be. This
jail talk is funny. Just wnlt and sco
how easy Ulas gets hers. Of course
CHAPTER V.
No matter how chaotic the general
household schedule Lorelei was always
assured of ten hours' sleep a dainty
breakfast upon rising and a substan-
tial meal befow theater time. Her
mother saw to It that this program was
i'AVfLLLLLv I T Cjv
1 'IW U rf
H II V Wjty5r. alsilsssssssssssssssssssssssVlssssssssssa
5 "What Aro You Two Planning?"
quired Lorelei.
"What D'you
Mean
Cried
by That!" Ho
religiously adhered to. Irrespective
also of her careless disregard of social
appointments she was never permit-
ted to miss one with the hairdresser
tho manicure the masseuse or tho
dozen and ono other beauty specialists
who form as Important an adjunct to
tho stage woman's career as to that of
the woman of fashion. All this was a
vital part of that plan to which tho
mother had devoted herself. No race-
horse on the ove of a Derby was
groomed more carefully than this bud-
ding woman. In preparing her for
masculine conquest the entire family
took a hand. Her prospects her ac-
tions her triumphs were the main
topic of conversation; all other Inter-
ests were subordinated to the matri-
monial quest upon which sho had em
barked and the three conspirators
lived In a constant state of eager ex-
pcctatlon over Lorelei's fortunes.
Mother and daughter were loitering
over a midday breakfast and Lorelei
according to custom was recounting
the Incidents of the previous evening.
"It's too bad you quarreled with Mr.
Wharton" Mrs. Knight commented
wheu sho heard tho full story of Ham-
nion's party. "Ho'll dislike you now."
Tho girl shrugged daintily "He was
drunk and fresh. I can't bear a man
In such a condition."
"You shouldn't antagonize a man
like him my dear. He's single at
least; and naturally he's Impulsive like
all those young millionaires."
"Bob Is an alcoholic. lie's no good
so Mr. Merklo said."
Jim who was immersed In the morn-
ing paper spoke from bis chair near
tho window.
"Why don't you go after Merkle him-
self sis? Easy picking these bank-
ers." Jim also had come home In bo still
hours of the night before and was now
resting preparatory to his dally battle
wltli the world. Just how the struggle
went or whero It was waged the others
knew not at all.
nis mother shook her head. "Those
old men aro all alike. Mr. Ilammon
will never marry Lllas."
"Is that so?" Jurocs nbandoned his
reading. "Tho older they are the
softer they get. Take It from me on
tho word ut a volunteer fireman Lllas
will cash in on him quicker than you
1 think- I know."
If Lorelei could marry Whnrton that
would be different but he's no sucker."
"How Is Lllas going to get hers?"
Insisted Lorelei.
"W.alt and see." James returned to
his paper.
"She'll never marry him. Sho hates
him."
Jim laughed and his sister broke out
Irritably:
"Why be so mysterious? Anybody
would think you'd robbed a bank."
Jim looked up again and this time
with a scowl. "Well every time I
como through with a suggestion ma
crabs It. What's tho use of talking
to a pair of haymakers like you any-
how? I could grab a lot of coin for us
If you'd let me. Why Maxey has been
after me a dozen times about you but
I knew you wouldn't stand for It"
"Blackmail eh?"
Jim was highly disgusted. "What's
the dlffercnco how you pronounco It?
It spells k-a-l-e and.it takes a good-
looking girl to pull off a deal in this
town. All right play for Bob Whar-
ton. I'd like to meet him though; he
can do ma a lot of good."
"How 7"
"Well ho dropped eight-four hundred
In Hcbllng's Sixth avenuo Joint tho
other night Maxey owns a place on
Forty-sixth street whero the sky is tho
limit."
His sister was staring at him curi-
ously. She had voiced misgivings con-
cerning his activities of late but Jim
had never satisfied her Inquiries. Now
sho asked "What is your sharo?"
Tho young man laughed a little un-
comfortably. "Forty per cent. That's
usual. If he's going to gamble some-
where I might as well be In on It"
The girl's next words however left
no doubt as to her feelings.
"You're a fine specimen aren't yon?"
Her lip cprled; mother and son started
at the bitterness of the tone. "Ugh I
What a mess you've made of things.
Two years ago we were decont and
now " Lorelei's volco broke; her
eyes nimed over with tears. "I'd glvo
anything In the world if we wero all
back In Vale. It took only two years
of the city to spoil us."
"Hal Better try Valo again. You'd
eud in a Btraightjacket If you did You
think you could go back but you
couldn't nobody can nfter they'vo
had a tasto of the city.''
"It's all wrong. Tho wholo thing
Is rotten. Sometimes I hate myself."
Lorelei choked.
Mrs. Knight irpoko reprovingly
"Don't bo silly dear. You know we
did It all for you. But wo'ro not com-
plaining." Mrs. Knight put added feel-
ing Into her words. "We don't want
you to live tho way we've had to live;
wo want you to bo rich and to have
things. After all we've done; after all
poor Peter has suffered "
"Don't!" cried tho girl falteringly.
"I think of him every hour."
"He Isn't the sort that complains. I
consider It very thoughtless of you to
behave as you do and make It harder
for us." Mrs. Knight sniffed anal
wiped her eyes whereupon Lorelei
nciii to hei uu am uer face upon ah
mother's shoulder.
"I don't want to be unkind." the
murmured "but sometimes I'm tick
with disgust and then again I'm
frightened. All tho mon I meet aro
beasts. That whole party was sordid
and mean old men drinking with girls
and pawing them over. Mr. Merkle
was the only nice ono there." The
mother was dismayed to feel her
daughter shiver.
"Good Lord! You people make me
sick" cried Jim rising and making for
his room. "Anybody'd think you'd
been Insulted."
When he had gone Mrs. Knight
asked accusingly:
"Lorelei aro you In love?"
"No why?"
"You've said some queer things late-
ly. You've worried me. I hope you'll
never be tempted to do anything to
to bo foolish. I don't Intend to let you
make n mess of things by marrying
some chorus man. Wheu the right per-
son comes along you'll nccept him then
you'll never have to worry again. But
you must be careful."
"Do you think I'd be happy with a
man llko Mr. Wharton?"
"Why not? You'd at least be rich
and If rich people enn't be happy who
can? If you accepted somo poor boy
ho'd probably turn out to bo a drunk-
ard and a loafer Just llko Wharton Is
now." Sho sighed. "I'd like to sco
you settled; wo could take Peter to a
specialist and maybe he could be
cured. We could go abroad and get
tho help of those German surgeons.
I've always wanted to travel."
When Lorelei reached tho theater
that evening sho found Lllas Lynn en-
tertaining n caller who had been more
than once In her thoughts during tho
day. Miss Lynn's visitor was a well-
tailored man who gavo a flrst Impres-
sion of extreme physlcnl neatness. He
was Immaculate In attire his skin was
fine his color fresh; n pair of small
Imperturbable eyes wero set In a smil-
ing face beneath a prematurely gray
head. Max Melcher was a figure on
Broadway; he had tho entree to all tho
stage doors; he frequented tho popular
enfes. .where ho surrounded himself
with men. Always affable usually at
leisure. Invariably obliging he had
many friends.
At Lorelei's entrance ho smllednnd
nodded without rising then continued
his enrnest conversation with Miss
Lynn. None of their words were nu-
dlblo to the last comer until Melcher
rose to leave; then Lllas halted him
with a nervous laugh saying:
"Remember If It doesn't go lt' a
Joke and I run to cover."
"It will go" he told her quietly as
he strolled out.
"What aro you two planning?" In-
quired Lorelei.
"Nothing. Max drops In regularly:
he used to bo sweet on mo." Lllas
completed her mako-up then fidgeted
nervously. "Gee!" she presently ex
claimed. "I'm tired of this business.
Wo'ro fools to stay In It. Think of
Atlantic City on a night llko this or
tho mountains. This heat has com-
pletely unstrung me" Sho rummaged
through the confusion on her table
then Inquired of the dresser "Croft
where are my wblto gloves?"
"They haven't como back from tho
cleaner's" Mrs. Croft answered.
"Not back? Then you didn't send
them when I told you. You'ro getting
altogether shiftless Croft When I
tell you to do n thing I want It done."
"I hopo I drop dead If "
"I hope you do" snapped tho Indig-
nant girl. "I told you to nttend to
them; now I'vo nothing but soiled
ones."
TJio dresser began to weep silently.
She waB a small timid old woman
upon whoso manifest need of employ-
ment Lorelei bad tnken pity somo tlmo
before. Her forgetfulness had long
been a trial to both her employers.
"That's right; turn on the flood-
gates" mocked Lllas. "You stop that
sniveling or I'll glvo you something to
cry for I'm nervous enough Honlght
without having you In hysterics. Re-
member If It ever happens again you'll
go and you'll tako something with
you to think nbout" Seizing tho clean-
est pair or gloves at band she flung
out of the room In a fluo fury.
"You won't let her Are mo7 I need
work I do" quavered Mrs. Croft
"Now now. Don't mind her temper.
You know Lllas Is excitable."
"Excitable?" Croft wiped red eyes
with a corner of her apron. "Is that
what you call It? I'll be glad If her
millionaire takes her out of the busi-
ness llko sho thinks he will. Poor
monl He's laying up trouble for him-
self that be Is. Bbo'U land blm in tho
divorce court with her flash-light pho-
tographs." Lorelei swung around from her mir-
ror. "What do you mean?"
"Oh I bsard her and that Jew that
Maxey Melcher. They've got a pho-
tographer and witnesses. Your brother
Is ono of 'era."
"JIm7 What"
"It's true. It's a bad crowd Mister
Jim's In with. And there's something
big in tho air. Millions It 1b And her
saying she'll box my ears. Tho hussyl
I'vo heard 'em talking before tonightl"
"Tell mo everything Croft quickly."
"I have. Only you better warn your
brother"
Tho assistant stage manager thrust
his head through tho curtains shout-
ing: "Your cue Mlsa Knight What
tho devil"
With a gasp Lorelei leaped to her
feet and fled from tho room.
you" she uitormed Loreies. "Mr. Mel-
cher has been coming hero for a lons;
time and he always talks about Mr.
Ilammon I've heard enough to knowj
that him and her Is after his money
millions of It Mister Jim can tell youi
everything "Mm. Croft broke off her(
narrative suddenly and Miss Lynn her-
self burst Into the room panting from
a swift run up the stairs.
VQuIck Crottl Don't bo all thumbs
now." She tossed a sealed letter upom
her table rapidly unhooked hor dress
stepped out of It and then seated her-
self extending her feet for a change
of slippers. She took the moment to
open nnd read her note.
Lorelei looked up from her sewing
at a little cry of rage from Lllas. Mis
Lynn had torn the message Into blta
nnd (flung It from her; hor eyes wero
blazing.
"The Idiot!" sh cried furiously rlsi
lng so abruptly at almost to upset Mm.
Croft
"What Is It?"
"I must telephone quick! I must;
or Lorolcl dear will you do me a
favor? Run down to the door and tele-
phono for mo? I won't bo off again
till the curtain and that will ho too
late." Lorelei rose obediently. "That's
a dear. Call Tony the Barber's place
I I've forgotten tho number any-
how you can find it and ask for Max.
Tell him It's off: ho can't come."
"Who can't come? Max?"
"No. Just say 'Lllas sends word
that It's off; ho can't come.' Ho'll un
derstand. Thore's my cue now. I'll
do as much for you." Lllas was off
with a rush and Lorolcl hastened
nfter her speculating vaguely as to
tho causo of all this anxiety. As Lo-
relei hurried down the passageway a
man In evening dress turned and sho
recognized Robert Wharton
"You nro sent from heaven!" ho
cried nt sight of her. "I enter out of
tho night and unburden my heart to
this argus-eyed watchman and lo
you come flying In answor to my wish.
Quick service. Judge. In appreciation
of your telepathy I present you with
somo lumbago cure." no lossca a
bank note to Regan who snatched It
eagerly on tho fly.
Lorelei forestalled further words.
"Please I must tolcphone. I go on
In a minute."
"Fairy Princess last night I was a
goldfish; tonight I am an enchanted
lover"
"Walt; I'm In a hurry." Sho
thumbed the telephone book swiftly In
search of her number but young
Wharton was not to be silenced.
"Tell him it's all off" he command-
ed. "You can't go; I won't let you.
Promise." He laid a hand upon the
telephone nnd eyed her gravely."
"Don't bo silly. I'm telephoning for
someone else."
"That's exactly what wo can't per-
mit The 'someone else Is hero I'm
It."
"I Blapped you last night; I promlso
to do It again" Lorelei told him
sharply.
"Something whispered that you did
and nil day long Ihavo been angry;
but tonight I come with another pur-
pose. Outsldo Is a rharlot with ninety
horses French rating champing at
tho throttle. We are going away from
here."
"You're drunk again Mr. Wharton?"
no glanced at tho clock over Re-
gan's head and shook his head In ne-
gation "It's only ten-twenty. In two
hours from now"
"Glvo mo that 'phone"
"Promlso to tell him it's all off."
Sho smiled. "All right I'll use
those very words.
Wharton hesitated. "I trust you."
"I'm going to tell blm he can't
VKkw
TO
tlj iTv
A Js
CHAPTER VI.
Lorelei did not secure another word
alone with the dresser until tho middle
of the second actby which tlmo Mm.
uroit was uer own coioriess worn-
worn Belt oice more
"I don't know no more than I told
JW
"Tonight I am an Enchanted Lover
come" sho said holding out her band.
Onco the instrument was hers she
oscillated tho hook with nervous An-
ger staring doubtfully at tho causo of
her delay. Wharton as ou the evening
before carried his Intoxication with an
air. no was steady on bis feot Im-
maculate in dress punctilious In de-
meanor; only his roving reckless eyo
betrayed his unnatural exhilaration.
$
Young Wharton may be a
drunkard nay he It a drunkard
but he hat also a keen tense
of humor and unquenchable op-
timism. Don't you Ilka him In
eplto of hit low habitat
do as cuxboasmssxi -
' l
I
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The Beaver Herald (Beaver, Okla.), Vol. 30, No. 22, Ed. 1, Thursday, November 2, 1916, newspaper, November 2, 1916; Beaver, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc69129/m1/11/: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.