Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-09-04
CHAPTER /.

SEfsAF =
rhe surprise which Gloria knew her
Unexpected arrival would occasion
,a8 even greater than she could in
+gine. Several things had happened
u Belmont recently to disturb David
Kerr. and he was IN no frame of mind
lor further complications.
The stock-yards company was be
ginning to hint at certain fagors it
wished extended and with an election
coming on, Kerr vas in no mood for
UGH concessions. Worse still, the
belmont News had Just changed own
.rship. and the new editor was not
displaying that subservient tealty
which had characterized all Belmont
Hapers Ii the past. Already the News
aas swapping at his heels and asking
uestions which we're extremely point
a. To have Gloria descend upon him
Ii such time was too much for even
David Kerr. His mastery Of the stu
atIon caused him to have no great
ear for the Gtock-yard demands and
lie newspaper oUtcry, vexing prob
Iams though they were. but Gloria
tioria ID Belm0nt-Was quite another
opposition
Father. this Is Gloria. explained
David Kerr's daughter when she had
established telephone connection with
0cuat Lawn
Gloria" he exclaimed Where
ara YOU
Fere, in Belmont. al The station,
Just came"
How did it happen wasn't look,
.ag for you"
Aren't you glad % see me-"
Glad to see you OF course [ am,
nut it's a surprise When did you
eome2 How do you happen to be
mere? Why didn't you let me know
Il wanted to surprise you" she
laughed "Annabel Hitchcock's aunt
tied. SO we couldn't go to California.
! had nothing else TO do, so I came
nome, Wasn't that right?"
Exactly, exactly. But its a bad
.tme TO come to Belmont"
Il don't care. I'm so glad to be
nome. How do I get out to Locust
l.awn?"
You cant we'll wait there for me
10 come in for you. Take a carriage
aud tell the driver you want to go to
the end OF the Townsend Park car
tine. Wait for me in the drug store.
to"
Hurry, father, because I'm so anx-
tous to see you. It's been an age
since | saw you. and you know I don't
'now a thing about Belmont I'm Just
dying to meet everybody. and then
I'll ask sotae Of the girls out to visit
nc"
Wen talk that over after awhile. .
Was his noncommittal response. Wait
Tor me at the drug store. Good by"
The .arriage drive through Belmont
tad Townsend Park, a suburb, was OF
educational value. 1t gave her an in
rreasing respect for Belmont. Al
Chougn there was no remarkable resi-
aeace district. there were uccas onaI
homes which denoted refinement as
well as comfortable circumstances.
'Hhis was not In keeping with what
David Kerr's daughter had been
taught about her fathers town. The
Number Of automobiles also surprised
tier by the time she reached the
place appointed for her meeting with
her father there was not so much of
eondescension III her attitude toward
belmont.
This changing viewpoint did rot
mean . diminution OF enthusiasm.
STORE than anything else 1t spurred
ner curiosity. She realized that the
zeal Belmont was an advance oTer
what she had been led to expect. Jus,
now much only dip into the social
~hirl could reveal. The pleasurabIe
part OF it all WAS that Gloria was still
queen by right Of Inheritance. If the