The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1914-02-05
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100

"oh!" exclaimed Gloria, and q sud
den pain shot through her.
"Oh, what1"
'Was It really lover
| The question came forth without 8
thought Of how 1t might affect he,
nearer. 1t did, indeed, provoke Little
Ella, taking away that kindly feelina
which had begun to kindle In he,
heart because Of Gloria's ignorance.
Didn't say I loved?" she demand
ed harshly. What do you know Of
lover You can't come down here and
teach me anything. Pooh! don't be
ieve you know what real love is. Were
you ever in love?"
Ordinarily to a girl reared as Gloria
mad been no more serious affront
could have been offered her. It was q
meddlfng with her private affairs
which was objectionable.
"Was your
Little Ella asked the question again
with the sharpness gained from lis
tentng to the city attorney cross-ex-
anime witnesses in police court. See
ing that she was almost compelled to
say yes" or mo-" Gloria replied de.
family:
Eyes, I was"
And yer not married."
mo-"
"Goin' to be-"
A pause.
NO"
Say, yer overlookin' a 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 so l thought
I'd ask you some. Did he know you
loved 'im?"
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 OF man thought the
Teller l loved was no good, too. Guess
we've had pretty hard times, eh?" No
reply, What d you Think"
"l-1-he was unworthy"
1t was now Gloria who spoke list
lessly.
$50 you had to choose between i'm
an yer father?".
"Was there any choice? 1 gave
him up"
Il 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. 1--WE
gone through fire an storm fer the
man loved, because loved a 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 Der.
lection Of the graceful young creature
before her. The sight Of Gloria AZ
something to be desired, to be DOS.
sessed, made Little Ella feel that no
nan with red blood In his veins would
give her up without fight. She hated
Ter for her masses Of beautiful hair,
Ter deep, soulful eyes, her complexion
II apple blossoms, and her delicate
White hands. She hated her for her
'velte. girlish figure and her beautiful |
'lothes which brought out her best
ines. A woman may be down in the
world. but she has eyes to see.
Look at me-" she cried, beating her
lat breasts with her red. bony hands,
A man died fer mean he thought
was worth 1t. Did you love a man
Vell enough for him to do that fer
OUT"
Gloria could only avoid the question
y tactlessly referring to Little ELIAS
resent state.
You don't know what you're saving.
ant you see what he's brought you
-"
Don't you say a word against him."
mapped the sick woman. "All men
int alike. neither. It wasn't his fault
m here. les the system"
The system! What's that7"
Here was the Introduction of a new