course, to be ferociously enraged, but on learning over the
telephone that the wretch had left the city he declared that there
was nothing to be done except perhaps exact an explanation from
Lilas.

Miss Lynn, however, could offer no excuse. She was heartbroken at
the occurrence, but she was too full of her own troubles to give
way to her sympathy for others. Jarvis Hammon, it seemed, had
heard about the party, and was furious with her.

"You must expect to meet some muckers in this business," she
remarked, philosophically, "and you've had so much notoriety, my
dear, that the fellow probably wouldn't believe you were all
right."

Jim agreed. "I guess you'll have to forget it, Sis. Just don't
think about it. I'll bring Wharton around to-night, and we four
will have supper, eh?"

Lilas's hesitation in accepting this invitation seemed genuine,
but she acquiesced finally, saying with a short laugh: "All right.
Maybe a little jealousy won't hurt my lord and master. He's
getting too bossy, anyhow."

When the four set out that night Robert Wharton was in exceptional
spirits and, as always, devoted himself to Lorelei. For him life
was a joyous adventure; he took things as they came, and now that
he knew the girl for what she was he did not allow himself the
slightest liberty. He was a fervent suitor, to be sure, yet he
courted her with jests and concealed his ardor behind a playful