The Auction Block

outlook; the entire family had found it necessary to alter their system of living. But it was in the girl that the changes showed most. When Mrs. Knight had forecast an imm

igned her promptly, and mother and daughter had walked out of his office quite unconscious of having accomplished the unusual. At first the city had seemed strange and bewildering, and Lorelei had suffered pangs at the memory of V

d followed quickly--it was impossible to hide such perfection of loveliness as hers--and the publicity pleased her. In due course rival managers began to make offers, which Mrs. Knight, risi

nd hard work; but, since these formed no part of the family program, she remained idle while Mrs. Knight and Jim arranged so many demands upon her time that she had no leisure

rt from the chorus: the two classes impinged briefly eight times a week, but outside the theater they never saw each other. Even Labaudie, the doll- like danseuse, looked down upon Lorelei and Lilas almost as she looked down upon the membe

more distinctive community--a community, moreover, that is characteristic of New York alone. Its code is of its own making; its habits of life are as individual as its figures of speech. Although at first all this bewildered the country girl, at length she had come to adopt t

age characters are always welcome at the prominent cafes; hence Lorelei never had to pay for food or drink when alone, and when escorted she received a commission on the money spent. She was well paid for posing, advertisements of toilet articles, face creams, dentifrices, and the like, especially if accompanied by testimonials, yielded something. In the commercial exploitation of her daughter Mrs. Knight developed someth

shown into an ornate ivory-and-gold elevator which lifted them noiselessly to an upper floor. They made their exit into a deep-carpeted h

rendered their wraps, and, after his introduction

s, carefully groomed, perhaps a little inclined to stoutness. By this time millionaires had lost their novelty for the girl. She had met some who were more distinguished in appearance than this man, but never one who seemed po

've been waiting to consult her about some of the details. Of course, she was late, as usual. However"--

them toward a reception-room f

Knight. I hope you'll find my fri

ss, but Hammon laughed a rejoinder, then gave a signal, whereupon folding-doors at the end of the room were thrown back. From within an orchestra struck up a popular rag-time air, and those nea

rge-featured person with a rumbling voice. The men had been arguing earnestly, oblivious of the confusion around them; but now the former dropped his cigarette,

ll take care of itself until to-morrow, Hannibal. What is more to the point, I sa

m instantly from his newspaper pictures. The man beside her, however, was a stranger, and she raised her eyes to his with some

," he murmured. "All New York is at your feet, I understand

he evening is over. He does things in a magnificent way, d

had been transformed into a bower of roses, great, climbing bushes, heavy with blooms; masses of cool, green ivy hid the walls from floor to ceiling and were supported upon cunningly wroug

as a wide but shallow stone fountain, upon the surface of which floated large-leaved Egyptian pond-lilies. Fat-bellied goldfish with filmy fins, and tails like iridescent wedding trains, pro

y the commotion, the feathered creatures twittered and fluttered against the netting in a panic which drew attention to them even if it did not wholly convey the illusion of a woodland scene. As for the butterflies, no artificial light could deceive them, and they clung with closed wings to leaves and branches, only now and then displaying their f

-the poor little things are frightened." She looked up to find her companion s

ry striking, very expensively gowned, and elaborately bejeweled. The room was dinning with the strains of an invisible orchestra and the vocal upr

her escort looked down, showing his te

e it?" h

t--the extravagance

rve next, so--what's the difference? Nevertheless, Jarvis HAS surprised me." He paused, and his eyes, as he stared again at the steel magnate, were mocking. "You'll admit it was a dazzling idea--comin

the Romans di

ent as well as an a

pleasant, but you're not, are yo

posite. Thank God

did you

birds come? Why

ut I'm afraid you don't intend to have a good time, Mr.--" They had found their places at the

It sounded like Rice Curry or some other damnabl

you pretty--reckless confes

nd an insomniac. You couldn't brin

E unple

rivilege of free speech." Again he looked toward Hammon, and this

vorce there?" She inclined her

nue indefinitely, for Mrs. Hammon is very much alive, to say nothing of her daughters. I dare say they'll hear about this supper, which won't improve conditions at home. Now

kle signified his prompt acquiescence. He lit a huge monogrammed cigarette, pushed asi

ewed prunes and rice for my portion. Waiter, bring me a

in quite the same capacity as the performers who were hired to appear later on the stage, they did not allow the moments to drag. A bohemian spirit prevailed; the ardor of the men, lashed on by laughter, co