Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-09-12
The AUGHIERQf
DAVID KERR y,s
BY Harry King TOOtlc
Illustrations BY HAy HNTzes %
Illustrations BY HHY
TRicAT 6Y AycNecLuRc s. Co, I99

tons, being anxious to get to the the
alter and at the same time DESTROYS OF
seeing how many years ahead OF Lo-
Gust Lawn was this house which she
had been invited to enter. There was
no reason why she could not do both,
since meeting Judge and Mrs. Gilbert
could mean only a few minutes more
delay They could then hurry to the
theater, and II she vas pleased with
these new acquaintances she would
urge them to join her. Loyal though
she was, she would welcome any one
who would be q diversion. Gloria
was quick to notice a faux pas, and
certain of her fathers slips of gram
mar and lapses from punctilious eti-
quette had made her wish some COM
partnership less blunt.
At the door she was met by Judge
Gilbert, who welcomed her to Belmont
with great cordiality. Here was a
man who understood the niceties OF
life. Gloria's heart went. out to him
almost as much for the manner Of his
welcome as for It's genuine warmth
AS David Kerr had done when he had
entered the house, the daughter gazed
about her as she passed through the
hall, and all that she saw was given
the stamp Of her approval. 1t was
just another step In her growing ap
probation of Belmont as 1t really was
She noted also the familiar terms on
which Judge Gilbert and her father
we're. She had doubted hei
father. yet this was a pleasing affirm
alive vote in her theory of Belmont
Life which had not been without its
contradictions that day.
Il wonder II you remember Mrs
Gilbert?" said the Judge as hi
ushered Gloria into the library. Al
her entrance, Mrs. Gilbert, a really
gracious woman, came forward tt
greet her.
How do you do, Miss Gloria?' sh'
said, tits a pleasure to find tina
you've come back to Belmont"
I'm charmed to meet you, Mrs. Gil
bert. Indeed 1t Is nice to be at hom'
once more and I'm 80 glad to hav'
you say So"
The next bit of conversation pug
zled Gloria not a little. She remarked
1t at the time. and even thought of 1
once after she had returned to Locus
Lawn that night.
Judge Gilbert said quietly to hi
wife, "Mr. Kerr, DEAR"
At this Mrs. Gilbert turned, bowe
slightly and merely said. Good ever
ing, Mr.. Kerr"
How dye do, ma'am." reptile
Gloria's father, to his daughters SUI
prise and also somewhat to her dii
gust. Mrs. Gilbert's greeting had bee
extremely brief. but her fathers ha
been extremely provincial. Not onl
was It a slipshod name of speaking
but 1t had been accompanied by a boy
which Gloria thought uncouth. He
father had written once or twic
about Mrs. Gilbert, and Gloria, afte
the manner of society, was fain t
enlarge upon the number.
TITS been my one wish to NEE
you, Mrs. Gilbert" said the girl. "
went away when I was SO young tina
I can't honestly say that l remembe
you, but in his letters father spoke 8
often Of you and Of visiting here
Didn't you father?"
Thus appealed to, Kerr was force
to reply.
"Yes-Oh. yes, Gloria, but neve
mind that now"
Judge Gilbert was quick to come t
the rescue, and for~estalled turtle
embarrassing remarks by saying:
II suppose it will be a novelty TO
you, Miss Gloria-living in the couI
try"
Gloria laughed, and her answer COZ
tanned due notice of what she inten(
ed to have In the immediate future.
Father hasn't a motor car-ye'
and l don't know how I'll like it."
You'll get used to It," vas Mr.
Gilbert's comment. Locust Lawn
lovely in summer"
"But 1t isn't summer yet. And
makes 1t inconvenient when one want
to 60 out in the evening. I've ofte
wondered why father didn't have
town house. He goes out so muc
and must be In Belmont SO late
night that to my mind a town hous
would be a necessity. But there b
sticks In the country like an OIL
poke"
Her idea Of her fathers duty
!, himself was so strong that she turne
to him to tell him just what 81
, thought of him. During her speec
Kerr had been exceedingly uncomfor
t able, but there was no way to sto
: her.
That's just what you are, father
Gloria asserted stoutly, "for stickir
: in the country when you 60 SO muc
!, in aociatv-an old mike"