The St. Mary banner., 1914-04-25

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 few minutes more
| delay They could then hurry to the
| theater, and If she was pleased with
these new acquaintances she would
urge them to join her. Loyal though
she was, she would welcome any one
! who would be a diversion. Gloria
was quick to notice faux pas, and
certain of her fathers slips of gram
mar and lapses from punctilious eti-
quette had made her wish some com
panionship 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 ber approval. 1t was
| just another step in her growing ap-
probation of Belmont as it really was.
| She noted also the familiar terms on
which Judge Gilbert and her father
were. She had never doubted her
| father. yet this was pleasing affirm
ative vote in her theory of Belmont
life which had not been without its
contradictions that day.
Il wonder if you remember Mrs.
Gilbert?" said the judge as he
ushered Gloria into the library. At
her entrance, Mrs. Gilbert. really
gracious woman, came forward to
greet her.
How do you do, Miss Gloria?" she
said, Its a pleasure to find 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 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 kad
been extremely provincial Not only
was it a slipshod manner of speaking.
but it had been accompanied by bow
which Gloria thought uncouth. Her
father had written once or twice
about Mrs. Gilbert, and Gloria, after
the manner of society, was fain to
enlarge upon the number.
It's been my one wish to meet
you, Mrs. Gilbert" said the girl. Il
| went away when was so young that
l can't honestly say that 1 remember
you, but in his letters father spoke SO
often of you andI 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 forestalled further
embarrassing remarks by saying:
Il suppose it will be novelty for
you, Miss Gloria-livins 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.
Gilbert's comment. Locust Lawn is
lovely in summer"
"But 1t isn't summer yet. And it
makes 1t inconvenient when one wants
to go out In the evening. I've often
wondered why father didn't have q
town house. He goes out SO much
and must be in Belmont SO late at
night that to my mind a town house
would be necessity. But there he
sticks in the country like an old
poke"
Her idea of her fathers duty to
himself was 30 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 aticking