Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-11-21
Copyright By A @ Hec,urr = Co, 1919

gravely. What was she to tell this in
quisitive girl who evidently was not
asking questions just for the fun Of
prying into some n else's life!
Somehow Or other Gloria began to ap-
peal to her. She had decided that
the visitors ignorance vas real. not
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:
81 loved"
Obi" exclaimed Gloria. and q sud-
den pain shot through her.
"Oh, WHAT"
WAS it really love?"
The question came forth without a
thought of how 1t might affect her
nearer. 1t did, indeed. provoke Little
Ella, taking away that kindly feeling
which had begun to kindle in her
heart because of Gloria's ignorance.
Didn't | say l loved?" she demand
ed harshly. What do you know Of
love? You can't come down here and
teach me anything. Pooh! don't be-
lieve you know what real love is. We're
you ever in love?"
Ordinarily to a girl reared as Gloria
had been no more serious afront
could have been offered her. 1t was a
meddling with her private affairs
which was objectionable.
WAS you"
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 mo-" Gloria replied de.
family:
Eyes, | was"
And yer not married."
NO"
Coin to be-"
A pause.
NO"
Say, yer overlookin' 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 yor
know" There was nj answer. Huh
You asked me questions SO l though
I'd ask you ome Did he know yol
loved 'im?"
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 Of man thought thu
Teller l loved was no good, too. Guess
we've had pretty hard times, eh?" M
reply, What d. you think?"
"I-I-he was unworthy"
1t was now Gloria who spoke list
lessly.
80 you had to choose between in
an yer father?"
"Was there any choice? CAV
him up"
81 left home. So, you see, I've lovet
more'n you've ever loved" she cried
"You didn't really love-" There wa
scorn in her voice as she spoke. "I'v'
gone through fire an storm fer tn
man I loved, because l loved a rea
man. You must "a loved some kid y
the ribbon counter. A real mai
wouldn't "a let you give him up"
This was a tribute to the animal per
lection of the graceful young creatur,
before her. The sight Of Gloria a
something to be desired, to be pos
sessed, made Little Ella feel that n,
man with red blood In his veins woul'
give her up without a fight. She hate,
her for her masses of beautiful hair
her deep, soulful eyes, her complexion
Of apple blossoms, and her delicat
white hands. She hated her for he
svelte, girlish figure and her beautiful
clothes which brought out her bes
lines. A woman may be down in tn,
world, but she has eyes to see.
Look at me-" she cried, beating he
fiat breasts with her red, bony hands
"A man died fer mean he though
| was worth it. Did you love a maj
well enough for him to do that fe
you"
Gloria could only avoid the question
by tactlessly referring to Little Ella
present state.
You don't know what you're saying
/ Can't you see what he's brought 70
TOT"
Don't you say a word against him,
snapped the sick woman. "All me,
amt alike, neither. 1t wasn't his faul
I'm here. It's the system"
"The system! What's that?"
Here was the introduction of q nev