The Dickson County herald. (Dickson, Tenn.) 1907-1979, 1914-01-02
Illustrations by Ray Walters

By Harry King Toofls

willing for him to proceed without bis
knowing that his daughter was In the
room with them. Before you speak
further you must know that we're not
alone In this room"
We're not?' He looked about him
and at the sound OF familiar voice
turned sharply 70 confront his dsugh
ter.
No. father; I'm here" She ad
yanced coolly to the center Of the
room, and waited for him to speak.
Gloria, Ny daughter here!" He
managed to gasp. Wright, determined
not TO have his hand forced. waited To
see what card the daughter would
play
Walt minute. please" she ~.
marked quietly. the most ssif-pos
sessed OF the three. Are you so blind
you cant see you find me here be-
cause wish II So My visit to Mr..
Wright surprised him just as much a.
did yours When you were announced,
| told him would stay"
so that's Il. 10 IT." her father
ragged. Have you turned against me.
too' Why didn't raise you like you
ought to a beeni" 1t was with an
evident effort that he was restraining
himself even as much as he was
Would to heaven you had" Gloria
exclaimed In a low tone. You gave
me only the roses OF life. and now the
thorns all that life offers me-seem
sharper 'thes<f can bear
Wright had thought his heart had
been so wrung that nothing could hurt
him worse. but this confession OF un-
happiness to her father made his own
unhappiness greater than he had be-,
licved II could be
Gloria, this is distressingly painful.
Please don't he begged Then he
turned 10 her father Why have you
come here
why is she here"
Father now she spoke tlmidly, a
maiden telling Of dear, dead love,
for a litllo while Mr. Wright and r.
were engaged 10 be married don {
thjuk you know what that means 10 q
grit what It meant 10 me. But you
do know how It ended Yet we're still
such good friends that felt | could
como this Afternoon to-"
As she spoke, great light began 10
dawn upon her father Al the words
good friends he saw his whole plan
successful. although worked out along
lines Il trife 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. aud David Kerr was quick z
seize this opportunity
Good friends" he echoed, inter.
wpting her Then I'm glad found
you here Just listen to me a minute.
Amt got much to say. Mr. Wright,
but ". understand each other pretty
Well Now then--you gave MS a pretty
hard bump. an | admire you fer IL.
% course, you're new to Belmont an
II looks all right from yer pint o
view " His tone was now suave and
concilistory "Rut you're too good n
man to be blookin the wheels o prog
ress In this town
Things were running pretty smooth
when cane here, weren't they
Wright was willing 10 admit that
much
Exactly. exactly" Kerr took q step
forward and glanced at Gloria before
he went on Now then. what do
you say to this You switch over an
Join me II It's too strong fer you
to go, I'll cut out that Maple avenue
railway line. An Wen 80 At II some
other way"
Gloria looked at her father IN as.
constituent Wright did not interrupt,
him Wishing 20 hear all that be had
10 say This campaigns taught me
I'm CROWN old Some lay somebody y
got TO take my place There amt a
man IN the party with your sense /
need you, sn'-~whats more you u
profit by bcin with me
Mr. Kerr It won't take me many
words to give you your answer
Reading disapprosal In the remark.
David Kerr craftily replied with his
kndest manner, Take yer time take
yer time, The mora you think 1t
over the more youll like 1t, Besides.
I'm thinkin OF Gloria You two talk
4 over She's
Father The girl was perfectly
horrined and her sense OF the fitness
o. things outraged BY having her name
dragged into the discussion Would
YOU dare connect my name with such
an affair"
TO the coarse nature all things are
coarse and her father SEEMED sur.
prissd that she should resent the man.
ner In which he had connected her
with the offer An shy mott he
asked I've been thinkn' the mat
ter over. All you an him would make
a