The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1914-08-08

nad come to learn the truth. This
led him to ask:
But your father"
Had Wright known what a p!teous
outburst this would evoke, he never
would have spoken
MY father. What am | TO him? |
haven't seen him from that day Since
then I've been with Mrs Hayes. When
| learned at luncheon that you were
going away. | had to come because |
can't forgive myself for what | said
il Judge Gilbert's office that came
| near ending so - disastrously - for
you"
Please don't think of it," he begged
Il don't connect you in any manner
with the attack on me-"
But | do" she insisted, because
know the truth" Here was the whole
reason for her coming. she told her
self Since you're in this fight to
stay-even though you're fighting my
own father want you to have all the
protection that knowledge of the truth
will afford. I've come to warn you"
Wright saw that he had not made
her understand that he was giving up
the fight.
But I'm going away"
Eyes, you've told me; but you're
coming back again because you know
your place Is here. There's work to
do"
He recognized instantly that 1t was
her wish for him to remain. Her be-
| lief in him, such as it was, centered
about his efforts to make Belmont a
better place. Not wishing 10 explain
what pain 1t would constantly give
him were he to do so, he avoided the
| matter by referring to her own future.
What are you going to do"
Il? I'm going abroad in few days"
What does your father say to that ?"
Gloria's lip curled with scorn at the
question. Her answer came with the
GOODNESS of a woman Of the world.
He can't say anything. What is
he to me? | haven't even sent him
| word yet. He gave me everything in
the world, but then at the supremest
| moment of my life he robbed me of
it ALL Would a father do THAR" she
asked fiercely. What allegiance do
owe him. The claim of blood! Bah!
He's always wished I'd been boy.
He didn't lie to me because he loved
| me. He didn't even know me. Do
you think it wrenches my heart to
leave him now? No; thousand times
no. We've lived too many years apart.
What have we in sympathy? We'd be
strangers though We lived under the
same roof for years"
But when you go abroad what are
you going to do" He could see no
future for her.
Just drift There is SO much that
l want to forget"
Much, Gloria" he asked gently
Eyes, much" She would not let him
trap her into damaging admission.
"Everything?"
Everything painful"
Her attitude, he felt it was antago-
nistic, impatient even OF his kindly
questioning, stirred him to vigorous
reply. After all, she was but a child,
and like a child wanted to shirk the
lesson life was teaching her.
Surely I've not been mistaken in
you," he began. Its by suffering that
we learn to live. You've only come
to see life as 1t is, that's all. Would
you throw away the precious knowl-
edge that is power for an Arcadian
ignorance akin to weaknesse You've
just said that you've come to warn
me of something. Were you true to
your theory Of life. you would leave
me in ignorance, because the truth
would give me pain. But you don't
believe that"
From the depth OF his world-scarred
heart he pitied her She was SO
young. and so rebellious. He yearned
with a great longing to protect her.
ITS easy enough to talk and give
advice" Gloria flung back at him.
What has suffering taught you!"
Here was a question he could an
swer, and answer decisively.
ut has taught me to be true to my
better SELF" He spoke sternly. Then
he regretted that he had seemed harsh
with her. foe it did not soften her, and
she made no comment.
Please sit down." he said. She &C.
cepted the proffered chair stiffly and
waited.
Wright came as close to her a. he
dared. A he spoke. she abandoned
the rigid attitude she had felt con-
the big chair.
Gloria, | didn't mean to be harsh
lust now. God knows would spare
YOU all you have been through could