The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-14
CHAPTER ".
DcSy,uiri

billion Of temper the other day"
"Oh, that's all right" cried Ora, her III
will fleeing at the first word Of penitence.
"And you'll forgive me?'
"Why. sure will. Nothin' to forgive
enyhow."
"Mr. Blessing tells me you are expecting
q long-lost relative here tonight Why do
you stsrt?"
bob told you THAR gasped Ora
Certainly" replied Gladys, wincing at the
country girls unconscious use of Blessings
first name
'He tells mo It is your father you're ex-
pectins."
"But-hut he told me only yesterday that
he hadn't breathed O word Of It to a soul"
protested Ora
''oh, Bob could hardly be expected to
have any secrets rom me-" was the laugh
ing response.
Ora opened her eyes vile. A question rose
to her lips. but she checked It.
Have you any proofs OF your fathers
Identity" went on Gladys.
Only letter and a photograph. They're
both IN the old album on the table at
home"
MY poor little GIRL" said Gladys, her
well-tra'ned voice sinking to tone of
tenderness. mfr. Blessing is a famous prac-
teal Joker. And. in this case he's played
one of his cruel practical Jokes on you
He probably thought you wouldn't feel It
as much as you do
But 1t isn't Joke. He WIS IN earnest"
II ought to be better Judge Of Bob's
nature than you, Miss jones'" smiled Gla-
dys.
"Whv I'H Hire IN
because I'm his promised wife,
"What-
Il am engaged to Be married to him. re-
peated Gladys.
'It isn't true!'' cried Ora why. he is
-
There Is my proof" broke in Gladys
holding out her left hand; there is my en-
gagement ring. If you want further proof
ask my brother. As for that story Mr..
Blessing told you about your father, It is
easily disproved. He said your father would
be in on the Q o'clock train. That train Is
Just in. Come back to the ballroom and we
will sea IL he is there"
AS they re-entered tho room. q porter
called out In the adjacent Office:
mine o'clock train In; no passengers~
At the same instant messenger boy
Ill uos a oIGCyS manu-. 5nS
tore it open, glanced over the contents, ard.
with an exultant laugh, passed /. over to
Blessing. He read:
Miss Gladys Middleton:
TELL Blessing not to interfere. VIII
not come to Lost River
THOMAS MIDDLETON
'The curr' muttered Blessing.
Ora was at his elbow. needless IN her ex-
element Of the amused elances OF tho 9TH
er girls.
My father-whers Is her she demanded
"He-he isn't coming" replied Bob
hoarsely.
"Oh, Grammar" walled the girl, casting
herself into her grandmother's arms, take
me home. He's deceived me. Its-its Just
like mother!''
Ora" pleaded Blessing; '1et me explain
But Mrs. Gates repulsed him angriIy ana
drew her sobb.ng granddaughter from the
room.
Looking about in bewilderment, Bob,s
eye fell on Gladys's triumphant face.
You devil" he exclaimed: this is your
work. Il
voice from the veranda. Took out for your
self. The men have found out that Mid
dleton didn't come. They're after you to
lynch you for cheating them"
Blessing was all activity in an instant,
Snatching up chair he. dashed it through
the glass case that protected the fire tools
at one end of the room.
Wrenching the huge red fire ax from Its
socket he whirled 1t above his head. and
with blazing eyes turned to confront the
threatening mob of grimy lahorers that
surged into the room
ut was all my fault, Ora" complained
Gramna Gates. as the old lady and Ora
stood in the doorrard of their cottage. II
hadn't oughter of let you go to the hop
Don't say that. Gramna." pleaded the
girl. forcing a laugh. I'VE had good time
and now It's all over you an me can set
tie down to life once more
Yes" sighed Gramma, and them. homes
Of findin' your pa must be folded up and laid
away like the pants of some dear. dead
friend
Don't let's speak of those foolish hopes y,
replied the girl gay1y. ''What do we care
for society and relations? We've got each
other. and that's oil the kin or social fun
we want"
In the midst Of a laugh the girl broke
down. She buried her head in her grand
mothers lap and sobbed bitterly
Poor little childi' comforted the old wo-
woman. your hearts breakin' on account
of that Disappointment in spite of all your
prctendin' to laugh 1t off,
"oh. 1t isn't that; It isn't that" sobbed
Ora. Its the way Bob deceived me about
1t and his maxim believe to love me when
-"
when what?"
when he was keepin' cornp'ny with that
Miss Middleton all the time"
Both were too much ensrossed to notice
Bill i.oucks and Gladys, who stood unob-
served just outside the gate.
"Tli keep them talking" whispered Gla-
dys. while you slip into the house ard get
the album. It's on the table, the gSl said.
Meet me In the woods by the river road
when you've taken 1t, and I'll pay You
there. We can burn the photograph and
letter out there
Good morning. was her CHEEKY greeting.
as She passed into the yard.
Ora dried her tears and came forward
to greet her. Gramma Gates walked away
with an air of injured dignity. 4
Poor girl!'' exclaimed Gladys. you've
been crying! I'm afraid you take Bcbs
cruel joke too much to heart. Won't you
let pe help you in any way r. <:
xea. Help me nnd my father. S