Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-11-06
Copyright by a. c. MeClu1g Z Co.. 1sr.

What" exclaimed Wright. Look
ing past the judge, for the first time
he saw Gloria At mention OF her
name the girl rose from her chair. She
really thought she merely wanted to
speak to him, once more look into his
eyes, and then take her departure
At sight Of her, Wright stepped for
ward and said, How do you do. Miss
Kerr? It's a great pleasure to see
you. I certainly did not expect to
find you here"
They shook hands in rather a con-
strained manner, Gilbert watching
them closely the while.
Naturally not" she replied. 81
came to see Judge Gilbert on a mat
ter Of business and am just leaving"
Despite herself she could not help
adding, My friends find ME most Of
the time at Locust Lawn"
Something in her manner brought
the lawyer at once into the conversa-
ton with turning Of the subject.
49, I couldn't tell you very well over
the phone what l wanted" be ex-
planned to Wright. It'll be a little
/ while before I can talk to you.
need a few minutes more to ascertain
fully the wishes of my clients"
The conversation was so business
like that Gloria forced herself to say:
I must be going. Please don't let
me keep you from your work"
But at this Gilbert held up his hand
appealingly and begged, please don't
go. I want you to do me favor.
Wait for Mrs. Hayes. Until I've fin
ished this conference, won't you be
SO good IS to act as hostess here and
entertain Mr.. Wright?"
Really, Judge Gilbert, i
I'm sure Mr.. Wright wishes it." He
interrupted her because he did not
know what she might say, and he
knew his remark would bring from the
newspaper man a request that she re-
main.
4 wouldn't have Miss Wright make
a martyr of herself" Wright said with
quiet dignity, but if she would be so
kind"
Didn't I tell YOU the judge said to
the girl Not a word. You must
take my place until I return. If you'll
pardon me, I'll be with you again in
just a few minutes"
There was no time for them to pro-
test. He slipped into the Office where
Kendall and Kerr were closeted, and
closed the door quietly after him.
The situation was not without its
embarrassment Taking into consider
alton everything which had happened
in the last month, there was little won
der that each felt constrained. In ad-
dition to that, Gloria felt as if she
had just been figuratively thrown at
his head. To a high-spirited girl this
in itself was notifying. They sat
without a word until the silence be-
came painful. Wright was desperate.
Here was the one woman in all the
world, and he was afraid to open his
mouth At last he mustered sufficient
courage to remark:
Beautiful spring weather we're
having"
This remark served only to pupctu-
ate the silence. It seemed to him,
from the length Of time before she re-
piled, that Gloria was mentally inspect
ing the records of the weather bureau
for the last twenty years.
Yes" she said, word that did not
appear so ponderous as to require all
that time to bring it forth.
This did not prove conducive to fur
Their conversation. He felt that the
weather had not been exhausted by
her voIuble reply, however, and used
it again.
They tell me it's liable to be bad
for another month"
Again Gloria seemed to make q men
tai survey of all the weather records
of the last twenty years. Wright had
almost forgotten what he had said
when she at last gave the conversation
football dainty kick by saying:
Yes"
This time he was ready for her. His
embarrassment was wearing off and
he began again promptly:
Don't the rains make the road pref
ty bad out your way?"
My friends manage to get out to
see me-"