Sunday morning globe., 1901-12-08

LALL RIGHTS kkSERNED.l
CHAPTER ".
DESPAIR!
Ora followed Gladys into the shaded
veranda, wondering, as she did so, at the
sudden cordiality of manner on the part of
one heretofore so frigid aud naughty toward
her
When they reached the veranda, Gladys
laid her hand alfectionately on the others
arm.
~ suppose" she began, that you're
wondering why asked you to come out
here. In the first place wanted to tell you
how sorry am for my wretched exhibition
Of temper the other day
"Oh. that's all right" cried Ora her in.
will fleeing at the first word Of penitence.
And you'll forgive me2'
why sure / will Nothiu' TO forgive
anyhow"
Mr.. Blessing tells me you're expecting
long lost relative here tonight Why do
you startF'
Bob told you that2"
Certainly" replied Gladys wncing at
the country girls unconscious use of Bless
ing's FIRST name.
"He tells me it is your father you're ex.
pecting"
"But-but he told me only yesterday that
he hadn't breathed a word of it TO a soul
protested Ora.
ON. Bob could hardly be expected to
have any secrets from me, was the laugh
ing response.
Ora opened her eyes wide. A question
rose to her lips, but She checked it.
Have you any proof Of your fathers
identity2n went on Gladys,
only aletter and photograph They're
both In the old album on the table at home. %
MY poor little girl" said Gladys her
we'll trained voice sinking to a tone of ten
derness. "Mr Blessing Is famous practical
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 it isn't joke. He was in earnest "
'I ought to be a better judge of Bob's ma
ture than you, Miss Jones" smiled Gladys
why, I'd like to know"
Because l am his promised wife"
What m
81 am engaged to be married to him,
repeated Gladys
IT isn't truer' cried Ora. "Why he is
-1
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 yonr father, it is
easily disproved. He said your father
would be in on the 9 o'clock train. That
train is just i'm. Come back to the ballroom
and we will see If he is there"
As they re-eutered the room, a porter
called ont in the adjacent office:
"Nine O'Clock train In no passengers.
At the same instant a messenger boy
thrust telegram into Gladys's hand She
tore it open, glanced over the contents, and,
with am exultant laugh passed IL over to
Blessing He read
Miss Gladys Middleton:
Tell Blessing not to interfere. I viii not
come TO Lost River.
THOMAS MIDDLETON"
"The cur" muttored Blessing.
Ora was at his elbow, needless In her ex-
citemeut of the amused glaUces of the other
girls.
MY father-where is he2" she demanded.
"He-he isn't coming, replied Bob,
hoarsely.
Oh. grammam walled the girl, casting
herself into her graudmother's arms, take
me home He's deceived me. Its-its
Just like motherl'
"Ora," pleaded Blessing, "let me ex-
plain
But Mrs Gates repulsed him angrily and
drew her sobbing granddaughter from the
room.
Looking about in bewilderment, Bob's
eye fell on Gladys triumphant face.
You dcvilw he exclaimed. This is
your work I-n
"NIr Blessing shouted the foremau's
voice from the verand5, look out for your
self The men have found ont that Middle.
ton didn't come. They're after you To- lynch
YOU for cheating them
Blessing was all activity 10 an instant
Snatchiug upa chair he dashed it through
the glass case that protected the fire tools
at one end of the room.
Wrenchiug the huge red fre.aXe from It's
socket he whirledsit above his head, and
with blazing eyes turned TO confront the
threatening mob of grimy laborers that
surged into the room.
"It was all my fault Ora, " complained
Gramma Gates as the old lady and Ora
stood in the dooryard of their cottage I
hadn't oughter of let you go to the hop"
Don't say that gramma,' pleaded the
girl, forcing laugh We had a good time,
and now it's all over you and me can settle
down to life once more. "
'Yes," sighed gramma, "and them hopes
of hndiu your pa must be folded up and
laid away like the pants of some dear dead
friend"
"Dontletss speak Of those foolish hopes"
replied the girl gayly. what do we care
for society and relations? We've got each
other and that's all 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 child" comforted the old
woman, you're hearts breakin on account
Of that Disappointment in spite Of all your
pretendin to laugh it of
'Oh, It isn't that Il isn't that" sobbed
Ora IT'S the way Bob deceived me about
it all and his maxim believe to love me
when
When what''
when he was keepin comp'ny with
that Miss Middleton all the time.
Both were too much engrossed to notice
Bill IOucks and Gladvs who stood uuob.