The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1913-12-13
illustrations by Ray Walters
Copyright By 4 c. heCiurg . Co.. 1919

Quisitive girl who evidently was not
asking questions just for the run Of
prying into some one else's life!
Somehow or other Gloria began to ap-
peal TO her. She had decided that
the visitors ignorance was real. not
feigned. In reply to the question as
to why she was not received at home.
she turned her big dark eyes. luster
ly:
Il loved"
OH" exclaimed Gloria. and q sud
den pain shot through her.
"Oh. WHAT"
Was it really lover
The question came forth without a
thought of how it might affect her
hearer. 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 loved" she demand
ed harshly. What do you know Of
love? You can't come down here and
teach me anything. Pooh! l don't be-
you ever in love?"
Ordinarily to girl reared as Gloria
had been no more serious affront
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 no" Gloria replied de-
family:
Yes, I was"
And yer not married."
mo"
Coin to be-"
A pause.
NO"
Say, yer overlookin' 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
thin. trembling arm. The light bad
come back into her eyes as she pur-
sued her inquiries and they shone like
two burning Goals.
Ilc uiuu L IcdlAy lOve Inc,
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 im?"t
He did. but-my father discovered
that he was unworthy"
This information seemed to Little
Ella to be bond of fellowship. She
marked philosophically:
"Humph! My OIL man thought the
feller loved was no good. too. Guess
we've had pretty hard times, eh?" No
reply, What d. you Think"
T-I-he was unworthy"
1t was now Gloria who spoke list
iessly.
so you had to choose between i'm
an yer father?"
WAS there any choice? gave
him up"
Il 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 | loved, because l loved 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 tribute to the animal per-
!, fection of the graceful young creature
before her. The sight of Gloria as
something to be desired, to be pos
sessed, made Little Ella feel tina, no
man with red blood In his veins would
give her up without 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, glrlish 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
fat breasts with her red, bony hands.
"A man died fer mean he thought
/ was worth it. Did you love man
well 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. "All 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