up this chap Wharton to-morrow and find out what sort of a
farmer's son he really is."

As Jim and his mother breakfasted together on the following
morning he broached the subject of his recent conversation with
Lorelei.

"She's sore about the story," he said. "We had a long talk last
night."

"I knew she would be, and I'm not sure it was a good thing."

"We'll drag something out of it if you do your part. Merkle will
pay. Don't mention money--nothing but marriage--understand?
Outraged motherhood, ruined daughter, blasted career--that's
yours. I'll be the brother who's in the position of a father to
her. I can threaten, but you mustn't. Goldberg will close for us."

"I don't see why we have to divide with a lawyer, when it's our
affair and we can handle it ourselves," his mother complained.

"I tell you it's got to go through the regular channels. This was
Melcher's idea, and, since I'm in on the Hammon money, Max is
entitled to his bit of this. Gee! If she'd only told us she was
going out with Merkle we might have framed something worth while--
I don't mind telling you this is a pretty weak case."

"He won't stand publicity; they never do," averred Mrs. Knight.

"Oh, he's not like Hammon; he hasn't GOT a family-and Lorelei