Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1914-01-02
Oopyrlshs BY 4. O. neclurs Co.. 1919
By Harry King 7ootls
q q

| One minute, Sir. wright was nc
willing for him to proceed without hi
knowing that his daughter was in tn
room with them. Before you spea
further you must know that we're nc
alone In this room"
Were not?" He looked about him
and at the sound Of familiar voic
turned sharply to confront his daugh
ter.
mo. father; I'm here" She ad
vanced coolly TO the center of tn
room, and waited for him to speak.
Gloria! My daughter here!" H,
managed to gasp. Wright, determines
MOTTO have his hand forced, waited t,
see what card the daughter woult
play.
wait minute, please" she re
marked quietly, the most self-pos
sessed of the three. Are you so blint
you can't see you find me here be
cause l wish it SO? My visit to Mr.
Wright surprised him just as much az
did yours. When you were announced
l told him would stay"
$50 that's 1t, is it?" her father
ragged Have you turned against me
too? Why didn't raise YOU like you
ought to "a been!" 1t vas with an
evident effort that be was restraining
himself even as much as he was.
"Wogl1 to heaven you had!" Gloria
exclaimed in low tone. you gave
me only the roses of life, and now the
thorns-all that life offers me-seem
sharper than can bear"
Wright had thought his heart had
been so wrung that nothing could hurt
him worse, but this confession of I'M
happiness to her father made his own
greater than he had be-
lieved it could be.
Gloria, this is distressingly painful.
Please don't" he begged. Then he
turned to her father. why have you
come here?"
Why is she here?"
Father" now she spoke timidly, a
maiden telling of dear, dead love,
for little while Mr.. Wright and 4
were engaged-to be married. l don't
think you know what that means to a
girl, what 1t meant to me. But you
do know how 1t ended. Yet we're still
such good friends that l felt l could
come this afternoon to-"
AS she spoke, a great light began to
dawn upon her father. At the words
good friends he saw his whole plan
successful, although worked out along
lines trifie different than what had
been in his mind when he had deter
mined to call upon the editor. Your
successful general is a great opportu-
mist, and David Kerr was quick to
seize this opportunity.
Good friends!" he echoed, inter-
rupting her. Then I'm glad l found
you here. Just listen to me minute.
amt got much to say, Mr.. Wright.
but we understand each other pretty
we'll. Now then-you gave us pretty
hard bump, an admire you fer it.
Of course, you're new to Belmont an
t looks all right from yer pint O
view" His tone was now suave and
But you're too good a
nan to be blockin' the wheels O. prog
'ess in this town"
Things were running pretty smooth
when | came here, weren't they?"
Wright was willing to admit that
much.
Exactly, exactly Kerr took step
onward and glanced at Gloria before
lie went on. Now then, what do
-ou say to this? You switch over an
DIN me. II it's too strong fer you
o go, I'll cut out that Maple avenue
ailway line, an we'll go at it some
Their way"
Gloria looked at her father in as
enlistment. Wright did not interrupt
i'm, wishing to hear all that he had
o say. This campaigns taught me
m CROWN old. Some day somebody's
ot to take my place. There amt a
nan In the party with your sense.
eed you, an'-what's more-you1l
roflt by bein' with me-"
Mr.. Kerr, it won't take me many
lords to give you your answer"
Reading disapproval in the remark,
David Kerr crafty replied with his
indest manner. Take yer time, take
er time. The more you think 1t
yer, the more you'll like 1t. Besides,
m thinkin' Of Gloria. You two talk
over. She's"
"Father!" The girl was perfectly
orrified and her sense OF the fitness
( things outraged by having her name
ragged into the discussion. Would
on dare connect my name with such |
n AFFAIR.""
To the coarse nature all things are
oarse, and her father seemed sur
rised that she should resent the man.
er in which he had connected her
18th the offer. AN why not?" he
sked. I've been thinkin' the mat
sr over, an you an him would make
pretty good team"