Show H air am! the g rlx want it wcrked 01T peanut" "i’j'i misjudge mo am urging mat'er il I hot I usual as John justice fitted to she continued point "Our girls simple of girls life" and1 weak his t mia ically fostering it have accomplishments money youth to lit for thing them social is The u inter season now the people are Hocking back ng to town from their 'country homes fashionable gayetics and notable events will full dear soon hold sway The girls are surely entitled to enjoy these things don't mi think'’ Aren't they worthy the best that life has to offer'’ And why shouldn't they enter society if do on your full duty'’ Once got them will be poperly introdu ed they and to able hold their own with perfect Civo tim credit o knowing cae me try to these things John and help to attain iln-ir ambition" yi'ir met ej ieir he asked "But is it am bition?" -e'ery the who live in this knew Von 'vli u i 1 ill to 1 -d iv i aa Von a " i l of ilil 1 1 i m ig i -1 ltd i 1 1 Taer" e g to ii A m ' i r n :m (’Hid t-d fie 1 w 1 i or 'a 1 ’ he - ' ' m Im w-m 1 ii" I ('h tsi'le i Oltmli on mo t f e Im I ' ‘ltd m a do le iio1 ' l 11-i v t e rnmiurebcml m i - ' 1 ' I mH '-mu : a M ' r 1 to h i met ' mm 1 i 'i " m I ' A in- t A i m I i m I ' -r ( i W am r I ' " ' - ' ’’ ‘ '' r - t U m i w - I ‘ J i I ' ' 1 ’ i ' 1 1 i 'ft 1 - t - i’ w h ay t hi s de r good fl w d ul a 1 in I ar inm t n ar'kin’ mmr pardon 'I'ii' different an’ shino bright to I" ii biit’ m i i i 1 h a a p a y nd ' f cake ny a I - ji h pa 1 l"iig they II I Von think I (!) uii'ii Ym - - ' m i i : I -- “I m : i a ' m i n i ' m m i 1 1 V 1 iny X r ( I m ’ r i e cl m - d m m n u i Al" mi: h J uu I i I i:a : i I i All I i " In u i ms I u ' : a : i ill" i i u Sin" a : s Y v I'-' a mm ' ' ‘ I'm i - a w oil" ' u rnirn irn I "e a '' 1 i peak "I ’ 1 j 1 e-id" m til " I all I 1 I V ' if"-: ‘a 1 1 f ' e- ' 1 ii i j 1 u i ! eg i I ! a i ' n I j i II I I nil u c i : I ! I a m i m : ! u i fail 1 ’ a i m 1 i m ! 'l'!i ul ’ m : to Vo- H ’ i i' a i 1 I r swarm fmmile Mmuh Mr so r i s - 1 i 1 don't Tm-r 1 : ’ ! i ! idea "1 1 ' Im-mum mii'ir- n a m u ‘ : in I m i i 1 i t j o 1 I high rmidy is f’a - i Im -1 -th" I crowd human ire anyhow nut Id I l’ a 'A' 1 1 ' m I women ue I I ' Tbm : 1 I rx-rl’iS'Vi' th ia ( an’ 'daily the iimi's with’ Its tu 1 1 -mil i ii 1- 1 1 (Gms i i al -la I Is o j swdi u- v 1 pi ne m '' Urnlm ' will to m'-'l i a-going ymr amt m 1 ' -cj j is tlmim with mix t" " it's er-igr ! In'1 me ho1 ari-notiri pretty d ai k sm best itlit o e 'I e the to v m ' s d mm entitled Io' m ii 'Tiir he - — andVel a c a e ci t r The-'re ' i it'' o s ed 1 u th" vmi M-ri r t 1 n -the a t him sei t i g--i i I a I : ! ni i ’ 1 1 v 1 o w v a t "-in-law is "This think il o( f" idea new a to me V ! t w i- 1 1 1 ii 1 1 1" II CHAPTER I j A Question (MIX M EH cheery as way into of of JM not face was so he matte bls This suggestion K'S usual 11 H the 5 Merrick's regarding ha beloved -7—: M il B 1 £j Ja N HllcviLSai: iljkia — — — 1 ’’—rniiiL' — ’Will ill a instance q ''i m m J — Rt1 a I c ' - tiit I i V ' i i ' I t I I l-ci : I I I ' 1 - - 1 ( v 1 J I l 1 1 t m I 1 1 u i ( : 111' ' ! T ttm t WZ ’ : i 1 : - ' - vo nvv i’’ m m :i buJ u bc Perl) ps iiiiyni'ril ium i : i m Ill' I t i 1 - i 1 1 I V i io ' r J ' I'' n J 1 : r- i 3 ? ! i All- - ’ " ti i I H I - 1 ‘ A you 1 I 'I ' -’A- c" i-ni it - 1 " u i it- to 1 li ' t X i r r V C 1 i: clii'i') m(r 1 in hi a 1 — Ul I I : ZWM - aarx i ' i — i -" uii( sister-in-law I E U 1 inattentionto duty to his was no easy nut to crack lie to be knew his worldly-minded frivolous with woman many trivial ambitions but in thia he hud misgivings that she might be Merrick right What did lie John A know of select society? poor man he of humble origin had wandered into the infantile embryo west years anil there amassed fortune ago When lie retired and returned io he his found greatest reward of in the three charming disimvery all turkey" nieces "as poor as Job's in hut struggling along bravely each ills K j ? - o Ii r as city Marl bi "Puli’’ ' lip I ! I I U b : I i'll - I r I I : r i 1 1 J nd a sard ii m i - lilt" m 1 1 i i r a ' ilco'S uecj use the nmd i a mu cumbers o I'S ' mi ’ lie i ' sc' aaniliti'ti diliic It t cm a t i"'" : mark And iio m l hl 1 uh ' ' tie- ' emm : i t an I e'e mamtem t :m a am n t i is'- c ! i i I-- companion ti-'m- pa mire " m x ( until i ' I’d fa e might -e iiAc ter-of-hiind’cd (lisi’csii imi no s Il" -’ ii 1 'last Tlm-e on jimlic" to hen ' s rs ni'-mii i t er g 'Is m ’ n - h'- t and J las bin that w nlnnit ion isily imw nkrii So with his usual 1'r directly to the on nt like m v gills Io get "I'd jin i 1 beam mat in '' iidigmint a head i - ramer a certain in go"d so mi extent m distinct ion to socim 1 liter nd a witii m 1 a tip re a John !" I 'it 1 sit i-t sw all i sun -f ic : Imatric '1 claim t was It admit either to statrnm showed t 1 the i'ttle wars bw'd nau'clv necessary ! si'orttng a I'istO' (’ Taer emtradict "1’rs i -a’c 1 t T e l m cmrurs" scarcely 'ill thousand vasn't m ofTY Major Hoyle at my lie'll for and vmi" noon amii the h"f crossed An expression of broker's face "You are very kind sir" lie answ cp "I ly the apprevi ite assure you aeeom moda tian" "Glad to help century or so ago" Merrick sighed and rubbed his Mr again Then be slowly rose bl "Mornin' Martha"' lie with abstracted nod at bis sist' some o bunch a bi't'-ry all 1 practical bead i'll this (Olivet rat i'd "1'vp derided half a rir -rar Your A trie spirited age and no lips s''1 ewdly 011Air Meer f sidered in the space lew M)"lll:it left luTml at his he the tri'r in' As ba n watch and found it wa s ba ret y of In nut to derided (Wait llm hour Ini Wit h his usual a ppoinlment he to Vmi r s offices urn iked Ta stride Al d words but ambition their sensible yourself you one is a but position 1 can't break into nohow" slight sm c liovcj-ed over 111'1 other s (Ciitivlled it but he quickly though" (ontimei tlm ‘’11 A- tell me Ims lmg speaker ‘'(mil your iunily (limbed into t'tc top notcli of ago in the b'g guns ciety You one o’ the an' hold tii1ml agam-t I e - it are' rec in so said you 1 worth mentioning to i f t i iT' E PAP S' s-’ti'lbusly promptly ml mas sanctum Hedrick Von Tmr v of grave man tall and courteous matin' Ids visitor was d lure of de fc re me in r not Mr and f riot omni lrok'-r’s y ‘ i I y I I! 1 triumphs approach i doubtfully They have can assure iMcause all th young women tmancia to appeal obtained lorved L I b-r a knowing (t dilji-culties ntreu encou been f) a nieces are lovely in any sphere of ph had and V I S' an Merrick to whom he niitual friend introduction ‘through Von Taer was doubtless solvent m ne controlled mrge means this al saving hand was extended a to losses juncture his were sure I’td cripple him might even severe a Your shine : broker nie not because but because you all your ambition on want society for It's 'an 1' O p ! 1 n 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 si III ll i 1 " ' A I ' ' ' ' ' cmJA 'Tm 1 1 M: s ' ‘ I I m ci i ' 1 f 'I ' ni 1 1 1 t m'" - 1- ' " 1 -i I ' win!" b 'i ! i i t f ' ' ' i : ! a V i ' ' I ' : : i ‘ I A i - ’I i ' t - I - “civ-ilizat'an" g ssss - - - W Illi : is : f i ra ci 1 1 1 :1 1 i t 11 I i f ad th" i to m ’ M vantages advent of ( ' i i nJ c x M : 1 u 1 ii' i fl 1 ii'it i ccso i i't 1 he his I ’ lie I 1 1 - a b: re i ! i I i 1 ' (V I t ’ : u i ' i I I I I I I I I i I v w tlx I I I I ' I on-tribute : t ni r ' t ' -n ?' w ill l and i 1 vx ii ii for it -' V 1 iie-i-if n i i' i ' n r il'-bk'l 1 I ’ if ' il aii-liu doim m i time i-‘d lb '' I ofii- v n ?u i I ed 1 ' ni1 hud ’l' I re uiiiiil y :it callous llii-i 1 li tT-t l -t 1: iiui v "c of v i w f ' ' be -k -il il iii-i b b ri'c i 1 t c - ( '( you : i am I 11 s I 1‘1'y A will It -uc'ccl f affectionate the :('! -m ’’ 1 r 1 t Will I ""m : 'll'- t t recited some of had derived from but rich relative ' if - ill 1 1 ( she could even how devoted the man was to not guess of these throe fortunate the welfare simple heart girls nor how ids kindly insiniiation that lie was resented the might neglecting anything that to their happiness Possession of money had never John Merrick's native simplicity no He had extravagant tastes dressed (1'iiotly life of and lived the the people tlr's eventful morning the man of On cross-town millions took a car tn station and climbed the stairs to his Once seated and headed train cityward he took out his memorandum book to see what engagements he had for the There were- three for the day he had promised afternoon At 12 to meet Von Taer this ii 1 1 ' bad they i AV 1 ii'c 1 eristic wayt und doting uncle's admiration Mrs Merriij) her indi'vidiiiil b well worthy their ml 'i ' -I i 1 o'l d i ' H-h ' i m altered CHAPTER he remembered reflectivelyfrom the window had with prominent banker some month "Gazing -o'clock Von Taer" the window Gazing reflectively from remembered conversation with prominent banker some month or so "Von Taer" the banker had befoie "H-m-m he a with an to the clings brokerage business because he inherited it grandfather from his father and hold that such a man has no moral should right to continue in business He retire and give the other fellow a said I a "is ariatoerat an fortune who independent k him an you call Merrick had inquired "Why paused millii’iiuito 'briskly with marked abruptness 11 occurred dittii nil to he propositionto him bud a the (’old make to this To avoid man b“ mi g fixed upon him eves mw out and deliberately pulled out a igar furnished him " the end Aon Taer a while in silence match He Amokd "This loan s’r" he finally began "is freely made There are no strings tied to it I'm don’t want you to feel return But the sort of any in have it vour pwer to truth is you grant me a ’favor' Von Taer bowed Merrick has generou-l placed "Mr cryS" under an obligation it will afford But his pleasureto repay" said bc me nevertheless held an uneasy look eyes way" explained the other "H's this girls Von Taer "I’ve three nieces—fine who will some day inherit iiiyKinonry 'i'lien i 1 1 i r 1 1 Im 1 demanding I - chance" do aristocrat?" Mr "Because his family is so ancient that shames the ark Itself imagine his ancestors might have furn shed Noah In build his ship New the lumber to York the TOO’ all kowtow to Von Taer" “Seems to me ho has the right to be he broker wants to" asserted Mr Merrick But between us “Thft right: yes Merrick this society swell has no Mr mental capacity to handle such an business He's noted for doing it’s To me marvel unwarranted things that Von Taer hasn't shipwrecked family fortunes long ago Luck the him foresight" ha® saved not That speech of a few weeks ago now seemed prophetic to John Merrick days the aristocratic Within few I It if a uncertain a a a or a th-elevated : They and word "I already independentthey’re educated Take amiable young women financially are and for am statements ate Hedrik Mr Merrick” Yet usually unexpressive face blank mystification What your my justified VonTaer's could favor to be "G-ot any these girls have with yourse'f V(n connection the Taer?" M'y daughter sir only child "A "Grown up?" "A young lady sir" plain "Then you'll understand I’m uneducated man myself Never been 1'iAlh any nearer swell society than avenue stage money has given me " a a -My in luw ran I1' g'itil'ylm charming "Then what I’ve took h's DI be of scia e to ? ambition of y y ur other nieces" l -just r understand league or association It regarded as figure speech Indicate how few are really admitted to the most exclusive bo circles Moreover there can no for of dominant ‘leader society' here all grades of the reason that mot would recognize the supremacy of any’ set or clique These one They cliques exist for various reasons fraternize generally but keep well circlee Kindred within their own ancient lneage tasteg attract some no may of fin A 1 X A TA IK I i I 1 id n lijmiT u stc i 'i i ly A 1 lii ( list sh’ An t- '' dtijci i c nj i j ru tic () tips ri i Slic 1 b to 1 1 1 1 - 1 1 wm e r ill i 1 (s ere JA w aiel I'll self-abnegation of X 1 i v pu go and yrn may forget said" The visitor arose and "It ha ftxim the tatHewas tool just a only a notion anyway expressed to he'p my thought badly girls to a toy that money can't buy" Hendrik Von Taer gazo steadily into-’’the There something man's face was in of the simple honest thia wealthy and important person that he The met won the respect of all broker's stern softened a bit as eyes he he illowed a fugitive gazed and h's smile due to own change of attitude to lips wreathe his thin again for an instant "Sit down please Mr Merrick" he requested and rather reluctantlyI’mle John resumed Ids seat "You may not have clear idea of New an especially to and explain York eociety want recent remark so that you will my ‘the 4X' it What is called it may er may not exist b'at certainly -is denoted demanded? girls see Diana had so I well-bred it" sure to I he conversation before” HI distim-t perhaps be a to society I indifferent d Sue posy s ej was highlv a ecu hi 1) to th" ell Ixiill Jlr purple ns saying is hut num- of these ihings consjered to mike her the cifems creatirc sie WIIrt eq ui nti m sb is As wo make her S of age-and Siulooks IS ja years tall and slender and carries er handsome with exquisite form grace Diuua is abrupt her voice is ever mod-uiated never to soft tones even jys a chaT or eoiieii with the from lithe sinuous motion of a serpent uncoiling Her face critically regarded is not admirable as form Tii features so her trifle too elongated and are a marred by a nose a pjt their delicacy is broad and unshapely and a mo it wiui set thin bps primly Her dark yeo might be magnificent if wide ojicn b it the slits of through narrow their luti long curling lashes half hidden by the cold watci il eyes peer at you with a inte'ht gaze that carries a certain uncanny dieconcerting fascination and is the girl essentially feminine Y'et If refrain from meeting that you gaze-and ha her familiars e to learned avoid Jt impresses graceful dainty and you as being po sessed of charming manners Her taste in perfect She dress is converses rt is her ci Motn on many topics rise 10 o'clock to at whatever time sh® -inclent u-enige i j i i e ( i f discomfiting -Diana tlu-ently (COXTIXT'ED PX rAGE SEVEX |