The Ordway new era., 1914-03-13

Copyright by A. O. kec1urg : Co.. 1873
Illustrations by Ray Walters


asking questions Just for the fun Of
prying into some one else's life?
Somehow or other Gloria began to ap-
peal to her. She had decided that
the visitors ignorance was real. not
feigned. In reply to the question as
to why she was not received at home,
she turned her big dark eyes, luster-
less now. upon Gloria, and said quiet
ly:
II loved" E-
"Oh!" exclaimed Gloria. and a sud
den pain shot through her.
"Oh, what?"
WAS 1t really lover" --...
The question came forth without a
thought of how It might affect her
hearer. It did, indeed. provoke Little
Ella, taking away that kindly feeling
which had begun to kindle in her
heart because OF Gloria's ignorance.
Didn't I say loved" she demand
ed harshly. What do you know Of
love? You can't come down here and
teach me anything. Pooh! I don't be-
lieve you know what real love Is. Were
you ever in lover"
Ordinarily to girl reared as Gloria
had been no more serious affront
could have been offered her. 1t was q
meddling with her private affairs
which was objectionable.
WAS your"
Little Ella asked the question again
with the sharpness gained from lis
tening to the city attorney cross-ex-
anime witnesses in police court. See
ing that she was almost compelled to
say yes" or no." Gloria replied de-
family:
"Yes. was"
And yer not married."
NO"
Coin to ber"
A pause.
mo-"
Say. yer cverlookin' bet. What's
the matter?"
Gloria felt herself fascinated by this
slight little woman who in her excite
ment had propped herself up in bed on
thin. trembling arm. The light had
come back into her eyes as she pur-
sued her inquiries and they shone like
two burning Goals.
He didn't really love me-" Gloria
said more to herself than to the girl.
Ibid he tell you SO? How do you
know" There was no answer. Huh!
You asked me questions 30 I thought
I'd ask you some. Did he know you
loved Imp" a
He did, but-my father discovered
that he was unworthy"
This information seemed to Little
Ella to be bond of fellowship. She
fell back on the bed to rest. and re
marked philosophically:
"Humph! My OIL man thought the
feller loved was no good. too. Guess
we've had pretty hard times, eh?" No
reply, What d. you think"
"1-I-he was unworthy"
1t was now Gloria who spoke list
lessly.
so you had to choose between I'm
an yer father?"
"was there any choice? I gave
him up"
"I left home. So. you see, I've loved
more'n you've ever loved" she cried
"You didn't really love-" There was
scorn in her voice as she spoke. i've
gone through fire an storm fer the
man loved. because l loved real
man. You must "a loved some kid at
the ribbon counter. A real man
wouldn't "a let you give him up"
This was a tribute to the animal per.
fection of the graceful young creature
before her. The sight of Gloria as
something to be desired, to be pos
sessed, made Little Ella feel tina, no
man with red blood in his veins would
give her up without fight. She hated
her for her masses of beautiful hair.
her deep, soulful eyes, her complexion
of apple blossoms. and her delicate
white hands. She hated her for her
syelte, girlish figure and her beautiful
clothes which brought out her best
lines. A woman may be down In the
world, but she has eyes to see.
Look at me-" she cried, beating her
fiat breasts with her red. bony hands.
"A man died fer mean he thought
I was worth 1t. Did you love man
well enough for him to do that fer
you?'i
Gloria could only avoid the question
by tactlessly referring to Little Elias
present state.
You don't know what you're saying
Cant you see what he's brought you
tor"
Don't you say word against him."
snapped the sick woman. "All men
amt alike, neither. 1t wasn't his fault
I'm here. It's the system"
THE system! What's that?"