Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-10-24
CONTINUED from Last Issue)
CHAPTER TX CONTINUED,

Thus it was that Gloria was deprived
even of the sad satisfaction OF follow
ing her lover to the grave. Her chief
,nemies were those who loved her best,
stephen Royce and her own father. They
WOULD DO everything they could TO
towart her When she learned of his
mothers wishes her first impllse was
TO go to Colorado herself, but that
impulse she quickly put aside; for her
most important duty was to find his
murderer, and that search she must
start at once.
Pierpont Stafford felt deep resent
reut AGAINST the world for its treat
ment of his children. He had won and
held a position Of power in the hnan-
ciaI world. He had made millions OF
dollars and he controlled more, yet his
son was married to worthless woman
and his daughter mourned the death OF
a blackguard.
Stafford could not buy happiness
for his children and his own sue
cess was Therefore worthless. His
whole soul rose in revolt. His son would
have to win his own way out of his
mesh he was a man. But his daughter
his Gloria, must De helped out of the
shadows and back into the light.
He could hardly think of FreneaJ
without wishing to kill him over agar
with own hands. 1t was unthinkablt
that his girl should be allowed to veal
his engagement ring and mourn Tor him
Yet it was a delicate matter Tor .
father to handle. He could not bear tC
blast the fresh innocence of his daugh'
ter by a recital of Freneau's wickedness
He felt also that her loyalty would moi
permit her to believe evil Of the dead
man who was now unable to defend him
self The whole situation was intol'
cradle.
He went to Gloria's room, finding heI
as he had expected, brooding by the
window. He took her in his arms and
clasping her hands found they EMBODIED
a picture of Freneau. anger mastered
him; he took the photograph from her
saying: Il wish you would put thai
our of my sight and out of your life
Gloria stared up at him In amazement
teams trembling on her eyelashes. Their
she gently disengaged the picture from
mis- grasp and Rugged it to her breast
why do you hate him now? What
do you know against him? How car
you be so cruel, so unjust?'
PierpOnt uneasily avoided her gaze
and shrugged his shoulders with sigh
Gloria put her hands pleading on his
shoulders and he tried to take her in
ment ring on her hand. he froze. Then
with determination in his tone, he com
manded: Take that off,
Terrified. Gloria snatched her hand
from his arm and shook her head, NOV
ing swiftly away from him. Pierpont
followed and clasped her hand, pointing
to the photograph accusingly, he said
Everyone will ask who ii is you are
engaged to. You are not engaged to
him any longer. insist on your remov'
ing that ring"
Gloria protested. Pierpont stood firm
She studied him anxiously. He reiterated
his demand. She refused. Baffled IN
his coercion, the old man began to plea I
She was all he had. He was old and
heart-broken. He could not endure the
sight of her in black. He was jealous
of the dead mans hold on her heart
Pity moved her as fear could not &c
comfort him she yielded. She drew thu
ring from her finger. dropping 1t into
his outstretched palm.
He clutched it with a sigh of relief
and put il I'm his waistcoat pocket.
At the finality of this Gloria's cheeks
famed with remorse. She ran to him
begging for II again. Pierpont only
held her off with his right hand, tooH
out his watch with his left and said
ITS time to dress for dinner"
At this moment Burroughs entered
with a black dinner gown on her
arms for Gloria. Pierpont motioned
il away.
mo. not that, Burroughs! Bring
Miss Gloria a bright gown. Black is not
becoming to her at any time. You un-
derstand me, Burroughs?"
The maid nodded a respectful Yes.