Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-10-08
LOVE Of LORIS
By MARTHA
MccULlOCH-W WILLIAMS
Copyright, 1904. by Martha McCulloch-
Williams


Hclstone could possibly have helped it
he would never have fallen under LoriS
GordOn's spell.
There was no reason whatever f,r Ii
and many very excellent REASONS
against it. The chief reason wore Il
cap and spectacles. was Of sound mind
and memory, with a pretty penny to
dispose OF and an undyins hatred for
all the Gordon name.
HelstOne himself had next to nothing
except loving memories of Il spend
thrift father. Miss Marcia 1IclStonc.
his fathers sister, had welcomed the
repentant prOdigal with open arms.
cherished and tended him all his life
and after his death kept his memory
green.
Indeed there lay the chief root of her
hatred for the GordonS. If an elder
Loris Gordon had not played him fast
and loose he might never have gone
wandering to and fro and roaming up
and down. Though he had ended by
marrying wife much more to his sis
ter's mind. she SOrrOwed Savagely over
his frustrated career. Miss Marcia. as
ambitious as she was Illogical. laid at
the Gordon door his wasted Opportu-
nifty.
Naturally she had guarded her ncph-
ew closely, doing many odd things to
make sure he should not be brought in
contact with the treaChcrouS race. So
cially that often made things awk
ward. The Gordons were easily lead
ers among the dozen first families Of
Marbury. The first families all lived
in big. handsome old houses. set each
in the midst of n considerable eStntc,
and SO fairly cncirclin. the village.
Between them and the mill folk. who
were villagers proper, great gulf was
fixed-One crossed only at Christmas
and Easter. when those who had be-
of those who had not.
1t was the "Christmasing" that had
done it. They had met among the
poor. How was poor Miss Marcia.
who did not go "Christmasing." to
know that LOriS' smile was enchanting
and set the most delightful dimplcS ut
play in her cheeks. or how should she
guess at something stronger. more
mysterious. something quite transcend
ing beauty. that suddenly shone out Of
the girls eyes. warming. irradiatinS
John IIelStOne's heart:
John HelStOne was brave and above
board Before he spoke to LOris he
had it out with his aunt. Il owe yOu
everything have been father,
mother and fairy godmothcr all in
one" he said. Il would do anything
you lade-eXcept to try to live without
LoriS''-
Suppose she won't have you? l
hardly think you'll kill yourself" Miss
Marcia interrupted SarcaStically. llel-
stone laughetl-wfth hard breath un-
der it-and answered: IF she says No
l shall keep asking and asking. l
am not vain enough to think she cares
much for mc-yet, but if she will let
me teach her.
"IIow romantic we are!' Miss Mar
ella said, pursuing her lips. Then she
burst out: Let you teach her. Lord,
lord. when she has been setting her cap
at you slamelessly ever since the
Christmas eve party! II had dreamed
what was to come of 1t Id have given
them twice the money they made for
their rubbishy tree to let it alone. But
that is neither here nor there. Your
mind Is made up. suppose.
"Quite" John said, whitening lit
tie. Miss Marcia glared at him.
$50 is mine," she said. "Thc day
know you are to marry that Gordon
girl that day cut you out of my will
out of my htAft."
'"rhe will is your right, but l won't
let you quit loving me-" John said.
standing up very straight. ''rhank you
for being SO frank. Now | know just
how little can offer LOris'-
"You-yOu are going straight to
herr" Miss Marcia asked. with stiff
lips.
John looked at her fondly. "Unless
you tell me to wait" he said. Dearest
Aunt Marcia. l would wait Il long time
IL had a hope Of winning you over.
I'm not hypocritc enough to affect
scOrn of your fortune. l should like to
have 1t come to me. but that Is nothing
compared with your approval. Study
LOris for year and see II you can
pick q serious flaw
"Will yOu wait three months II l
promise to cry, liking the girl!" Miss
Marcia asked. with a gulp.
IIclstOnc gave her hearty hug.
with all the good will In the world"
'I will honestly try to get over my
prejudice II you will go away-at
once. Go west. ! want you to look
after my mining lands. I'm sure the
agent Is scOundrcl. See that you
bring him up rOundly when you get
there"
John left that very night. LOris Cor
don turned little pale when she heard
the news. but said nothing. not even
to her mother. Next week Maybury
had the sensation of its history. Miss
Marcia drove affably to Gray Gordon,
the home OF her dearest enemies, and
begged that I.Oris might come and stay
with her while she was alone at Right
Ways. Mrs. Gordon heard her In n
daze. but after awhile agreed to let
her daughter 20. She had not been
blind to the light i'm John Helstone's
eyes and fancied she knew what was
under the cards.
AT that stage of the game il IL
question II Miss Marcia herself knew.