River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-01-22
The DAUGHTERS
DAVID KERR s&e
BY Harry Kir5 1ootle
Illustrations by EY N1T=~s %

Wright was about to make reply,
but Gloria was too quick for him.
ooh, this is more than l can bear!
Am dog, horse, pig, that l can
be traded in a dirty deal with not so
much as by your leave? I'll not
stand it for another instant. One hui
initiation after another has been my
lot. but this is the last. I'm through
with you What has passed has taught
you nothing; you're the bargaining,
trading, scheming politician still, so
low that you'd make your own daugh-
ter, your own flesh and blood, the bait
to lure a good man from his purpose.
But you can't do it," she cried, a note
of triumph creeping into her denuncia-
ton; hes not your kind. And do
you believe that I'd submit to such a
thing? What can you think of me?
You put me on plane with those vile
creatures who pay you for protection.
Gloria, please stop" Wright plead
ed Her father could only look at
her in wonder as she poured out the
pent-up passion of her inmost soul.
mo, I'll not stop-there's more to
say. Here, within this hour, Mr..
Wright asked me again to be his wife,
and 1 refused-refused because of
you. l came here to warn him against
you, to tell him the truth, because
once we loved each other. No one can
blame me for wishing him we'll
came to tell him because I can't be
here after this to save him as once /
did. Over my body I dared your hire
lings to take him, and not one moved.
Now I'm going away forever and /
want him to have what protection the
truth will give. But my warning
would be useless what you offered to
do just now is warning enough in it.
self The man who would sell his own
daughter is capable of anything!"
please, Gloria, STOP" Wright en-
treated. I'm not accustomed to have
any one else fight my battles for me.
/ can take care of myself"
MAY be you cam" sneered the boss,
"but ever since you've been here
you've been hidin' behind my daugh-
ter. It's because O. her l didn't go
after you hot an heavy long ago. An
then when they did come near gittin
you the other day, she stopped EN-"
"You, Gloria!" Wright could not
understand. She only bowed her
heed.
But now, by COD! that's all past"
Kerr brought his fist down on the
table with a bang. His breath came in
apoplectic gasps and his face was
livid with rage. She's out of it as
fer us I'm concerned. I did every
thing in the world fer her, an it
wasn't no USE He turned to his
daughter as he hurled out his anger
and disappointment between his gasps
| for breath. 81 was ready to stan by
you to the end, and what do l git
fer all my schemin' an planning fer
you? Nothin' but glum looks an harsh
woex!s. If yer goin' away, go. I dis
own you. cast you Of"
The girl did not quail beneath his
bitter words. They only infamed her
to announce the decision she had al
| ready made. Her lip curled with
| scorn, her eyes snapped, as she looked
at her father.
LOU uIsoWH me LOU Cast me OH!
All the contempt she could muster she
| threw into her voice. What right
have you, who would barter me away
as you would horse or dog? No, it's
| disown you!"
Wright walked over to her and
sought to take her hand gently in his,
| but she drew away. She would stand
oil oil n
Kerr seemed to grope his way to the
door. There he turned to gaze once
more upon the wreck of his latest