The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1914-06-12
CHAPTER XXI.

ria called for the Banner as soon as
she Weakened. The headlines told her
at once that her father had been de-
featet. She searched carefully
through the paper for some reference
to Joe Wright, but no mention was
made of him. Naturally enough, the
Banner was not in jubilant mood.
1t predicted dire. things in store for
Belmont but Gloria, remembering
what she had learned at so bitter d
cost, felt that any change must be for
the better,
The girl had now recovered from
the first severity Of the shock, and was
anxious to know for a certainty what
had become OF Wright. She knew that
he lived and was not seriously inquired
else there would have been some men
ton of him in the paper, The day pre-
yous she had thought much OF him,
but there had been much else for her
to think of Now with return to
what was TO be for her the normal.
she wanted to know how he Jared
All the morning Gloria spent in re.
volying in her mind just what she
ought TO do. She knew that her father
meant Wright harm Pride and maid
emily reserve WTestled with what she
considered her duty. Her conscience
told her that before she left Belmont
forever she should warn this man who
once had loved her He must be placed
on his guard against her own father.
1t cut her like knife TO think that
the attack Oh the editor had really
been made at her command. Now she
could do no less than tell him how
affairs stood
Dr. Hayes could scarcely conceal his
surprise when Gloria followed him
into the hall after luncheon and asked
about Mr.. Wrights condition. He told
her that he still kept TO his room, but
was reported as improving Before
ne could frame a question, Gloria
! thanked him and fed up the stairs.
About three o'clock she emerged from
her room. dressed for the street. and
announced to Mrs. Hayes that she was
going for short walk alone.
What the daughter of David Kerr
| told her hostess was the truth. She
did go for a short walk, walk that
took her in the most direct way to the
house where Joe Wright resided. The
door was opened for her by little girl
who invited her to enter.
Il wish to see Mr.. Wright" Gloria
explained to the child
I'm take you TO his sitting-room. He
| told me to bring anybody in that came
to see him, and to tell 'em he'd be
back in a minute"
All was silence in the room when
the little girl threw wide the door and
babe her enter.
Then he's not in the house, you
say"
No. he's gone to get baggageman,
but he said to wait" Patty insisted
Whom did he wish TO waltz"
"Oh, anybody. He said somebody's
coming to pack his books. He hurt
himself and can't bend over the box"
oh" cried Gloria, with little gasp
of pain. She remembered all too we'll
the hurt of which he complained. Then
at the same time came new thought,
why was he packing his books? A
more critical look showed her many
evidences that he was giving up his
apartment. She could not understand.
rs Mr.. Wright moving eyerything?T
she ventured
Yes, he's going away.
| Gloria gazed at the child in surprise,
not quite grasping what she said A
smothered exclamation caused her to
look up quickly. There, staring at her
from the doorway in honest amaze
ment, stood Joe Wright She felt her
cheeks crimson.
Miss Kerr! You here" he gasped
before he could master his surprise
Then In an instant he went on in an
even, conventional tone. 81 beg your
pardon, | scarcely expected to find you
here"
NO, Ill scarcely expected to
find myself here, but here am" AS
she said this she extended her hands
then dropped them, a gesture which
seemed to typify the simplicity with
which the visit had been accomplished
Wright readily recognized that there
was some motive in the call, and dis.
missed Patty with instructions to let
him know If anyone asked for him.
Wont you sit down. he begged
remembering his duty as host.
Thank you, I haven't a moment to
stay"
Wright looked about for a chair, to
find them filled with odds and ends OF
things intended to be packed. The girl
insisted that she preferred to stand
and listened to his apology for the
appearance of the room and the expla.
nation that he was moving
Il learned at luncheon that you were
going away" she acknowledged
Since you would not come to see me
| had to come to see you"
CTO BE CONTINUED.)
/ grandfather, and at 40 the politics OF