The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1914-08-22
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bitter words, They only infiamed her
to announce the decision she had al
ready made. Her lip curled with
scorn. her eyes snapped. as she looked
at her father
You disown me! You cast me on"
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
alone. Like a blind old bear David
Kerr semed to grope his way to the
door. There he turned to gaze once
more upon the wreck OF his latest
schemes. His rage was still hot upon
him.
Il found you in this-this adventur-
er's room. | leave you here Look to
yerself. you are no child O. mine"
The door banged behind him and
Gloria Kerr knew that they had met
for the last time. The girl, feeling so
miserably alone in the world. turned
to find bent upon her the tender gaze
of the man whom she had once sworn
to follow TO the end of the world For
them love was dead, she knew and
now life would be for her only sue
cession of weary days
Il thought all but my body died that
day We spoke of love to find 1t but a
dream" she acknowledged sadly, yet
there was one cup still more bitter
had to drain-and this was that cups
dregs."
"Oh, Gloria, believe me. out of I'M
happiness happiness comes. Your
place Is with me now | hadn't told
you, but |, too. am going away for
ever. And what is more, I'm going to
take you with me-"
She looked at him in wonder, then
slowly shook her head
NO, you can't leave Belmont, Joe
You're not coward. I'm going. but
your place is here"
DO you think | shall let you go
alone? Never. The one reason | am
going east is to sell the Belmont
News. I'm through with it. Then
shall follow you over the world until
l make you mine-because | love
YOU"
The girl looked at him with the
faintest of smiles battling with her
settled melancholy He was border
ing on melodrama, and she was re-
garding him with the same gentleness
a loving mother exhibits toward an I'M
reasoning little child
How selfish you are, Joe. All your
fine sermons are going for naught.
You've preached of your duty. and yet
at the chance to show your devotion
to that duty you're wanting to give up
the fight. I'm not worth it, Joe, really
I'm not. Think of Belmont A gen
eral doesn't desert his soldiers after
victory, just because he knows the
enemy has sent for reinforcements.
That would be cowardly, and it isn't
like you, Joe. The brave general
doesn't give ground he advances.
Don't follow me; would hate you.
know how Belmont needs you"
But l need you. Gloria. And what
is more, you need me and l can't let
you go alone. There is world else
where, even other Belmonts where we
can live and labor and love. l didn't
know till your father referred to it
that you were at Noonan's that day.
Can't you see how l need you for my
guardian angel? How did you happen
to be there?"
Briefly she detailed the visit, min
imizing her part in saving him. None
the less he was able to see that it was
TO her he owed perhaps life itself. He
listened in silence, letting her tell her
story in her own way.
Gloria, I've come to a decision"
She looked at him questioningly. I'm
going to do what you've ordered. I'm
going to stay here and fight for Bel
mont"
Joe. you mean it," Her face lit up
with pleasure and she held out both
her hands to him. He took them
both, and to her surprise, and despite
her resistance, drew her to him.
but I'm not going to stay alone. II
I'm to fight the good fight, I'm not
going to fight alone. You called me a
coward for wanting to go; won't you
reward me for deciding to stay? And
out of unhappiness happiness will
come You must stay, Gloria; our
place is here"
Our place." she echoed, and then
was silent for little time, her head
upon his shoulder. He held her tight
". she could not escape. The feeble
efforts she had made to break from
him were now abandoned as she
thought more and more upon his