Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-09-25


father, yet this was a pleasing affirm
ative vote in her theory Of Belmont
life which had not been without its
contradictions that day.
I wonder il you remember Mrs.
Gnbert?" said the Judge as he
ushered Gloria into the library At
her entrance, Mrs. Gilbert, a really
gracious woman. came forward TO
greet her.
How do you do. Miss Gloria?" she
said, its a pleasure to ind that
you've come back to Belmont"
I'm charmed to meet you, Mrs. Gil
bert. Indeed It is nice TO be at home
ONCE more and I'm so glad to have
you say so"
The next bit Of conversation puz-
zled Gloria not a little. She remarked
It at the time, and even thought of It
once after she had returned to Locust
Lawn that night
Judge Gilbert said quietly to his
wife, Mr.. Kerr, dear.
At this Mrs. Gilbert turned, bowed
slightly and merely said, Good even
Ing, Mr. Kerr"
How dye DO, ma'am." replied
Gloria's father, to his daughters sur
prise and also somewhat to her dis
gust. Mrs. Gilbert's greeting had been
extremely brief, but her fathers had
been extremely provincial Not only
was it sliDshod manner Of speaking.
but it had been accompanied by a bow
which Gloria thought unc0uth Her
father had written once or twice
about Mrs. Gilbert. and Gloria. after
the manner of society, was fam TO
enlarge upon the number.
It's been my one wish to meet
you, Mrs. Gilbert" said the girl Il
went away when I was so young that
7 can't honestly say that / remember
you, but in his letters father spoke so
often of you and of visiting here
Didn't you father?"
Thus appealed to. Kerr was forced
to reply,
"Yes-Oh, yes, Gloria, but never
mind that now"
Judge Gilbert was quick to come to
the rescue, and forestaIled further
embarrassing remarks by saying:
4 suppose it viii be a novelty for
you, Miss GIoria-living in the coun.
try"
Gloria laughed, and her answer con
tanned due notice Of what she intend
ed to have in the Immediate future.
Father hasn't q motor car-yet.
and | don't know how I'll like it,
You'll get used to it," was Mrs.
GiIbert's comment. Locust Lawn is
lovely in summer"
But it isn't summer yet And it
makes it inconvenient when one wants
to go out in the evening. I've often
wondered why father didn't have
town house. He goes cut so much
and must be in Belmont so late at
might that to my mind a town house
would be a necessity. But there he
sticks IL the country like an old
poke"
Her idea Of her fathers duty to
himself was so strong that she turned
to him to tell him just what she
thought of him. During her speech
Kerr had been exceedingly uncomfort-
able. but there was no way to stop
her.
That's just what you are. father. "
Gloria asserted stoutly, for sticking
in the country when you go so much
in society-an old poke"
Again Judge Gilbert came to the
rescue, You forget he doesn't go out
as much as when he was younger"
Exactly. I don't git out like I did
when l was younger" Kerr repeated.
4 think every one will have to like
me very much" Gloria complained
with a whimsical air of doubt to
come way out to Locust Lawn to see
me" She knew we'll that they would
come, but a town apartment, some
thing modern, doomed large in her
mind. These remarks were only the
pioneer work preliminary to a siege
I'm afraid Belmont viii seem mean
compared to the places you have
lived suggested Mrs. Gilbert In the
short time she had been with GloriS
she had seen enough to make her GER
tain that there were breakers ahead.
Not at ALL" answered the girl.
| Judge Gilbert was talking earnestly
with her father. and this gave her a
| chance to confess privately to Mrs,
/ Gilbert.
1t seems gOod to me because it is
home. and I can do as I please with
+ cut comment. I mean to live my life
10 the full, just as do other girls
( whom I visit. Except when I've been
with them. it's been chaperon and
/ school. school and chaperon for so
! long that I'm honestly gIad to set into
4 house where no one rushes in every
few minutes to see if I'm reading a
/ French novel or writing love letters
10 the chauffeur"
Mrs. Gilbert laughed heartily at the
martyrdOm Gloria had suffered. and
promised that such would not be her
lot in Belmont When Mr.. Kerr Joined
them she went to summon her other
! guests.
Judge Gilbert has been telling me
( Gloria" Kerr began. that things was
quiet here just at this season. Now
I California"
Telling you!" repeated Gloria. Why
did her father need TO have any one
tell him anything about Belmont:
Then wasn't she excuse enough foI
all the gayety possible?
Amt got nothin' against California
have you?" Kerr asked, ignoring heI
exclamation.
I don't know" She turned away
from him, conscience-stricken at hel
tone OF indecision. I wanted to come
home, yet"
Don't you like Locust Lawn. gtrl?'
Yes, yes, she answered quickly
''H3ut-everything is so different from
what I imagined it would be Give
me a little time TO think about the
California trip
miles there are but four thousand
& Ill