The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1914-08-15
CHAPTER XXI.

ria called Tor the banner as soon as
she Weakened The headlines told her
at once that her father had been de-
feated. She searched carefully
through the paper for some reference
to Joe Wright. but no mention was
made Of him. Naturally enough, the
Banner WAS not in jubilant mood.
1t predicted dire things in store for
Belmont. but Gloria. remembering
what she had learned at so bitter a
cost, felt that any change must be for
the better
The girl had now recovered from
the first severity of the shock. and was
anxious to know for a certainty what
had become of Wright She knew that
he lived and was not seriously injured.
else there would have been some men
ton of him in the paper The day pre-
vious she had thought much OF him,
but there had been much else for her
to think of. Now with a return to
what was to be for her the normal,
she wanted to know how he Jared
All the morning Gloria spent in re-
volving in her mind just what she
ought to do. She knew that her father
meant Wright harm. Pride and maid
emily reserve wrestled with what she
considered her duty Her conscience
told her that before she left Belmont
forever she should warn this man who
once had loved her He must be placed
on his guard against her own father.
1t cut her like knife to think that
the attack on the editor had really
been made at her command. Now she
could do no less than tell him how
affairs stood.
DIR. Hayes could scarcely conceal his
surprise when Gloria followed him
into the hall after luncheon and asked
about Mr.. Wright's condition. He told
her that he still kept to his room. but
was reported as improving Before
| he could frame a question, Gloria
thanked him and fed up the stairs
About three o'clock she emerged from
her room, dressed for the street, and
announced to Mrs. Hayes that she was
going for short walk alone.
|
| told her hostess was the truth. She
| did go for short walk, walk that
| took her in the most direct way to the
house where Joe Wright resided. The
door was opened for her by little CIR.
who invited her to enter.
81 wish to see Mr. Wright" Gloria
explained to the child
"Tll take you to his sitting room. He
told me to bring anybody in that came
to see him. and to tell 'em led be
back in minute"
All was silence in the room when
the little girl threw wide the door and
babe her enter.
Then he's not in the house, you
say"
mo. he's gone to get baggageman,
but he said to wait" Patty insisted.
Whom did he wish to waltz
ooh, anybody. He said somebody's
coming to pack his books. He hurt
| himself and can't bend over the box"
"Oh!" cried Gloria. with little gasp
of pain. She remembered all too well
the hurt of which he complained. Then
at the same time came new thought,
why was he packing his books? A
more critical look showed her many
| evidences that he was giving up his
apartment. She could not understand.
as Mr.. Wright moving everything"
she ventured.
Yes, he's going away.
| Gloria gazed at the child in surprise.
not quite grasping what she said. A
smothered exclamation caused her to
look up quickly. There, staring at her
from the doorway in honest amaze
ment, stood Joe Wright. She felt her
cheeks crimson.
Miss Kerr. You here" he gasped.
before he could master his surprise.
Then in an instant he went on in an
even. conventional tone, Il beg your
pardon, scarcely expected to find you
here"
mo. I'll scarcely expected to
find myself here, but here | am AS
she said this she extended her hands.
then dropped them, gesture which
seemed to typify the simplicity with
which the visit had been accomplished
Wright readily recognized that there
was some motive in the call. and dis
| missed Patty with instructions TO let
him know II anyone asked for him.
Wont you sit DOWN." he begged
remembering his duty as host.
Thank you, | haven't moment to
stay"
Wright looked about for chair, to
find them filled with odds and ends oil
things intended to be packed. The girl
insisted that she preferred to stand
and listened to his apology for the
appearance OF the room and the eXpla