The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-22
WINNING GLORIA
BY TEMPLE BAuFY.

BY TEMPLE BAILEY
Copyright 1910, by Associated Literary Press)
1t is not often that woman builds house with
her own hands, and then lives in IT alone for i've
!ears tillng the soil and getting out OF it living
for herself and child.
But that is what Gloria Strong did in new coun-
try. and it had not spoiled her beauty. fact
suppieness of her young body the vivid color her
power OF out-of-doors and hard work in the making
of the perfect type Of woman.
There were people in the nearby town who criticised
Gloria. Why doesn't she take her little brother
and work in some kitchen? That would be woman's
When Gabriel Marks heard taunt. turned
TO the man who had made it and demanded Can
you imagine Gloria Strong slave of the whims
and caprices of another woman-your- wife. for
example,"
Il don't see" Seth Bowes retorted. that my wife
has any more whms than the rest OF them.
No. Gabriel admitted but the women or our
town weren't brought up to keep servants and they
don't know how TO treat them. And / can't imagine
a, sTen r taking s N
Gloria Strong should marry you. what them You'd
be the master of any woman
Gabriel that he would like strike that sneer
from seth's face But he knew the futfiity Of such
feeling. What could such know OF the
tmidity which the most masterful man feels when in
the presence OF the woman he levesr
1t this very timidity which had at first kept
Gabriel from confessing his love to Gloria He had
titled the soil of the adjoining farm and as the
two plows had met at the fence corners the man
and woman had rested and talked IN the shade Of
the II in these moments. stolen from
toll. that Gabriel had learned to appreciate the
sweetness of womaniiness which lay behind the
had been not days too "hsh the sinai orotheF;
Bensie. had brought from the house pitcher Of cool
his sisters lunch And she had made Gabriel share
these things,
and you have TO depend on stuff from thu bakery
you must get tired of 1T"
do a mans work and
woman's?" Gabriel questioned
For a a shadow lay in her then she
laughed. Il happier she said. when / am
Three times in five years Gabriel asked her to marry
him. But she would not must live my life alone,
she had said. and would not be persuaded beyond
Gabriel a patient a strong He
bded his time. but there were moments when he felt
discouraged She seemed so divorced from any need
of masculine protection Yet he often sighed wisnins
that some chance might bright her to him to ask q
favor that ne might show his willingness To die
for her If need be.
MN give Ifrs ner; HsKuu some-
thing greater than that for she put his honor at
You remember Gabriel she said. coming into his
house one night when a winter storm ragged. that
money in trust for her queer old woman who
feared hank-there was Aye thousand doars-and-
Wait until the morning and Will get il from tina
Il can't watt have just had letter from cyrus
twing"
Cyrus Twng-you know him."
But he is a sailor who left years ago.
you have lived here only three
y know-but knew hm-before came
Something in her manner something furtive. stuns
She held out imploring hand Don't ask
Only give me the money. He has forged a nota
arrested. and 1t viii all come Quit will all como
out"
softened as he looked down at her Tell me-" he
said: surely can trust me. Gloria"
Yes" she whispered, Yes, ! trust you"
Then tell me-what Is Cyrus living your"
She threw up her head and faced him. He is--
my husband.
Your" But sound came from his lips as he
stood staring at her. blankiy
Yes and Bensie is child. was married when
was very young and lived the coast--and Cyrus
came home from India, and he gave string OF
pearls and coral comb and he told me tales OF
strange countries until fascinated. And
wei ma ed wi here tsyru
dared not confess. because he afraid she might
leave away from him the few paltry dollars tina,
thought II was because he loved me much that hs
wanted to have all to himself, but later learned
that he had a sweetheart In every port. Then his
mother moved West and came too for Cyrus sailed
away a long cruise. and he promised that when
she died. for she old and III he would confess
birth that did not want the world to know had
round him out. and. didn't want Bensie
have to own such father So worked and shaved
and have made a place for myself, and now
There strange things in this world said
she wife and the mother Of chiid.I will take
the box him tonight and viii tell him that he
But when he returned from his journey he had
Your husband is likely die, Gloria: he wants
you--he Is racked by cough and his end is near"
,he walled.
Il know'--for moment his hands lowered over
mar. "But--his eyes haunt me-he is such poor
hing-And some day you must come back to me-"
She stayed with her husband until he died, and
aer little world thought that she had gone TO
'isit relatives 80 that when she back
40 gossip
why should Bensie know that he had such
Let me be father to him. Gloria Gabriel an.
wered and with little sob she leaned against him
woman might And when he whispered win yon
% my wffe?" she murmured, at Is what / have
wanted Al these years Gabriel; Il y what have