Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-12-04

two mad lYed together continuously
Now she could waive that point, bu
the enlargement was beyond her.
Little Ella considered the question
gravely. What was she to tell this in
quisitive girl who evidently was no
asking questions just for the fun o.
prying into some one else's life
Somehow or other Gloria began to ap
peal to her. She had decided thai
the visitors ignorance was real. no.
feigned. In reply to the question as
to why she was not received at home
she turned her big dark eyes, luster
less now. upon Gloria, and said quiet
ly:
4 loved"
OH" exclaimed Gloria, and a sud
den pain shot through her.
"Oh, what?"
Was it really love?"
The question came forth without {
thought of how it might affect hel
nearer. It did, indeed, provoke Little
Ella, taking away that kindly feeling
which had begun to kipdle in hel
heart because of Glorfa's ignorance.
Didn't I say l loved?" she demand
ed harshly. What do you know oil
love? You can't come down here and
teach me anything. POOH I don't be
lieVe you know what real love is. Were
you ever in love-"
Ordinarily to a girl reared as Gloria
had been no more serious affront
could have been offered her. 1t was q
meddling with her private affairs
which was objectionable.
Was your
Little Ella asked the question again
with the sharpness gained from lis
tening to the city attorney cross-ex
anime witnesses in police court. See
ing that she was almost compelled to
say yes" or no" Gloria replied de
family:
Yes, I was"
And yer not married."
NO"
Coin to be-"
a pause
No"
Say, yer overIooBin' a bet. What's
the matter?"
Gloria felt herself fascinated by this
slight little woman who in her excite
ment had propped herself up in bed on
a thin. trembling arm. The light had
come back into her eyes as she pur-
sued her inquiries and they shone like
two burning Goals.
He didn't really love me-" Gloria
said more to herself than to the girl.
Did he tell you so? How do you
know?" There was no answer. Huh!
You asked me questions so l thought
I'd ask you some Did he know you
loved inn"
He did, but-my father discovered
that he was unworthy"
This information seemed to Little
Ella to be a bond Of fellowship. She
fell back on the bed to rest, and re-
marked philosophically
"Humph! My oil man thought the
Teller I loved was no good, too Guess
we've had pretty hard times, eh?" No
reply, What d. you Think"
"I-I-he was unworthy"
It was now Gloria who spoke list
lessly.
so you had to choose between i'm
an yer father?"
Was there any choice? l gave
him up"
I left home. So, you see, I've loved
more'n you've ever loved" she cried.
You didn't really love" There was
scorn in her voice as she spoke. I've
gone through fire an storm fer the
man l loved, because l loved a real
man. You must "a loved some kid at
the ribbon counter. A real man
wouldn't a let you give him up"
This was a tribute to the animal per
lection of the graceful young creature
before her The sight of Gloria as
something to be desired, to be pos
sessed, made Little Ella feel that no
man with red blood in his veins would
give her up without a fight. She hated
her for her masses of beautiful hair,
her deep, soulful eyes, her complexion
of apple blossoms, and her delicate
white hands. She hated her for her
svelte, girlish figure and her beautiful
clothes which brought out her best
lines. A woman may be down in the
world, but she has eyes to see.
Look at me-" she cried, beating her
fiat breasts with her red. bony hands.
"A man died fer mean he thought
was worth it. Did you love a man
we'll enough for him to do that fer
you?"
Gloria could only avoid the question
by tactlessly referring to Little Elias
present state.
You don't know what you're saying.
Can't you see what he's brought you
to-"
Don't you say a word against him, -
snapped the sick woman. An men
amt alike, neither. 1t wasn't his fault
I'm here. It's the system"
The system! What's that?"
Here was the introduction of a new
element. Gloria's curiosity was
aroused. There was something mex
orable about it, to judge from Little
Elias manner of speaking.
Well. call it society, if you want
to-" conceded society's victim.
What do you mean?"
Say, are you stringin' me, or was
you born yestiddy?"
She laughed hacshly at the humor
OF such question.
i don't understand" was all Gloria
could reply.
CHAPTER XVIII.