"You--?" Lilas turned with her mouth full of hair-pins, and her
hands halted in their nimble duties.

When Lorelei had made known her decision, the other girl nodded
her approval.

"I don't blame you a bit; a girl needs liberty. I have five rooms,
and a Jap to take care of them; they're lovely."

"I can't afford an expensive place."

"Well, there are some three-room flats in the rear, and--I have
it! Gertie Moore kept one, but she's gone on the road. It's all
furnished, too. Some Rah-rah boy from Columbia fixed it up for
her, but they had a row, broke the engagement, and she joined out
with the 'Kissing Girls.' If it hasn't been sublet you can get it
at your own terms. The building is respectable, too; it's as
proper as the Ritz. I'm dining alone to-night. Come to dinner with
me and we'll find out all about it."

Lorelei would have preferred a different location, not
particularly desiring to be near Lilas; but there was no time in
which to look about, and the necessity that faced her made any
assistance welcome. Without more discussions she agreed, and the
two girls rode up-town together.

The Elegancia, where Lilas lived, was a painfully new, over-
elaborate building with a Gothic front and a Gotham rear--half its
windows pasted with rental signs. Six potted palms, a Turkish rug,
and a jaundiced Jamaican elevator-boy gave an air of welcome to