Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-09-26
The AUGH:rERo Of
DAVID KERR ste
by Harry Kir5 TOOtle |
Illustrations y ny MH=es 20
COPYRIGHT eY Ac-HecluRc 81 Co. 1913

pictures and descriptions of beautiful
homes. When the plans for the alter
atoms were finally approved. David
Kerr learned with a sigh Of relief that
the changes could be made without
driving him from the shelter of his
own roof.
At the same time Gloria was plan
ming for the changes In the country
place she and Mrs. Gilbert were also
busy preparing for the ball which
would serve as her formal introduction
to Belmont society. Her time was SO
engaged that she thought the sugges-
ton Of her hostess an excellent one
| when Mrs. Gilbert said that 1t might
be better not to become tangled up
| with too many social engagements at
a time when 1t wal more vital to see
that the Locust Lawn alterations were
properly under way. The girl was
aware, from what she had heard her
father and others say, that things
we're dull at present, and she did not
wish to spur them into a premature
activity. When the ball was given for
her 1t would be time enough to begin.
Mrs. Gilbert was not letting things
drift, although the daughter OF DAVID
Kerr was not aware of 1t. Every one
In Belmont knew what Glora did not:
That she was about to make a great
effort to secure recognition. Belmont
war not In a receptive mood. Its first
thought was that she was the child OF
a shrewd political trickster who had
fattened at the expense OF the town.
The offspring of the leopard should
not hope to be without spots.
Mrs. Gilbert was clever enough TO
have girls to luncheon whom n
thought might become interested IN
Gloria. They came, and in the major
ity of cases surprised Gloria by their
charming tanners and their beautiful
clothes. Her court was to be even
| more brilliant than she had dreamed.
The girls were invited one at a time,
> to give both Gloria and the visitor
the opportunity OF becoming well &C
quainted.
u The luncheon guests came to call
= afterward, but by a strange mischance
' 1t was always when Gloria was not at
home. She would go to the architects
: Office with Mrs. Gilbert, and would
!, find on her return that several cards
:. had been left for her. The ball wal sc
! near that she made no attempt to pay
= any calls herself. She was too busy.
Although railing at the fate which
/" took him away most Of the time, the
first three weeks after Glorta's re
moval to town were spent by Judge
Gilbert In Chicago. Occasionally ht
. ran over for a day, but even then hi
wife and their guest saw little Of him
= This would have maAe their evenings
hang heavy on their hands had 1t no
:, been for Joe Wright. He got into tn
" habit of dropping in after dinner ever!
: evening and several times a week Mrs
= Gilbert had him to dine with them
= Late in the afternoons he and GIori'
/. often drove together, the season o
4 the year keeping them most OF tn
4 time on the city streets. Once b
4 drove with her to Locust Lawn, bu
as It was late when they reached Their
! he did not get out. sitting IN the rur
Z about while Gloria ran into the hous
! for a few minutes.
Y Neither Wright nor Gloria ever mad
& an effort to direct the conversatio
into the intimate channel 1t had lake
the night they first had met IN be
q mont. One might almost have though
they had agreed to consider d
selves merely good friends, 30 impe
| sonal were they in what they sal
\ for this there was a reason; rathe
: there were two reasons, his and hers
. Wright was keeping a firm grip Q
himself because he knew the truth an
> was afraid. Gloria was s~elf-possesse
and would not have permitted him
: mass the border of friendship, had
dared. because she wished to kno
Belmont well. Even a hint OF an Q
tangling alliance would prove q hi
drance. Thus it was that each WI
happy in the others company. And
L perchance they looked the sentime
I'VE that each had inwardly resolved not
breathe, they were happier still III Il
ed. thought that some day their drear
would come true.
h." The paper was occasioning Wrig
ask no great anxiety. Somewhat to
surprise the advertising revenue W
aid showing most gratifying gains caus
hat by the increase of local business. T
ask Banner had more advertising, but
life. new owner Of the afternoon paper b
ong no cause to complain. Even his adv
Using manager could not explain
Main street merchants who had be
out of the paper for years began
send in OPP without solicitati
ma. This made the head Of the advertise
!, to department think that the millenni'
'usi. was about due. The real reason,
,ert. known to every one except the IN
car chants receiving the message, was q