The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1916-08-22


to thatg"
Tie shook his head sadly. Struck
with sudden memory Gloria pulled
/ him toward the window.
81 saw him murdered and you told
nae it was dolirium Whyg"
"You admitted st yourself when you
received his letters and telegrams,'
Royce answered hastily.
"But ! don't believe Chat now. And
1 don't believe that you do either
Royce WINGED at this
"It was too much of q coincidence"
continued Gloria. II am not a child
amy longer Stephen, and though This
tragedy has nearly unbalanced my
mind [ am still able to think and rea-
son. Why if this had happened a life
tie later l would have been his Wife,"
Her lips trembled like a hurt childs
and Royce turned his head away in
pity.
eff I were his wife I should not sit
idly by and let the demon who took
his precious life go scot free, should J.?
Should J. Stephen2'
Royce was silent Gloria went on.
81 ann going to act as though I were
his widow I'm reality MS 7 am in heart.
] shall 20 to the police" Royce start
ed. and tell them everything. VIII
you help meT
81 will do anything / can, Gloria but
first we must consult your father"
Doctor Royce was dumbfounded at
the new Gloria he had to face, and to
save from monsters she knew nothing
of-the juggernauts of scandal and
publicity He determined to confer
with Mr.. Stafford at once, and descend
cd the stairs to find Pierpont i'm his
library
Royce told Mr.. Stafford things which
amazed and Mortified him, and when
ne had finished he said: 'I did not
want YOU to know any Of this as long
as L could keep it from you, Mr. STAFF
ford. There seemed to be nothing for
You TO DO and J felt that you had
enough on your shoulders as it was.
do not know if 1 acted wisely i'm keep
ing you In the dark SO long. but now
that Gloria wants to so to the police
with the matter I had to tell YOU so
That we could keep her from it and
save an Investigation that would ruin
your sons wife and bring horrible mo-
toriety to our innocent Gloria Who
ever it was that killed Freneau. he
must have had his reasons. lie has
made good his escape Incidentally he
has saved Gloria from marrying q
scoundrel I could almost thank him
for that. But we must never let Gloria
know Freneau's unworthiness; TT
would leave too deep a scar on her
fresh young heart, ruin all her ideals
and kill Her faith in humanity"
Stafford gave Royce his hand. Glow
right YOU are Stephen You are
great and a noble friend to her and to
my children. Gloria viii get over her
lovers death She would never re-
cover from the knowledge of his
treachery. Yes, we must save her from
chat. May God help me to save David,
too"
After Royce had left her Gloria went
to her dressing room. Her maid and
the nurse were unpacking a large box.
They tried to conceal it as she came i'm,
but She commanded them to give it to
her. 1t was her wedding gown.
CIasping the soft shining robe to her
heart with a little cry. she motioned
them to leave her alone with it. Then
She sank to the floor, clutching it in
her arms. She pressed her lips to the
satin folds and cuddled it's beauty to
her cheek. AS she fondled the precious
lace In her fingers, she vlsioned her
self in the gown. She was standing at
The altar with Freneau by her side:
all the friends Of her world were sit
ting in their pews behind her. To her
rapt ears came the organ music swell
ing into the wedding march, as with
her head erect and her heart high she
came back up the aisle On her hus-
bands arms.
The dream crumbled and the girl
woke to the truth with nothing left Of
her dream but the gown in her arms.
She kissed it reverently, and laid it
away i'm its box, as in q coffin. Then her
tears vanished and her oyas hardened
with resolution. She went Town to the
library, where she found her father
pacing the floor In deep meditation.
Gloria ran to him and put her arms
about his neck.
Daddy" she spoke determinedly.
"Have you notified the police yet?'
Pierpont was fully prepared for this.
He shook his head.
"Why not father7 You must, or
will, at once"
"Gloria, we can't tell the police any
thing. If they learned that SOU were
engaged to Freneau the house would
be besieged By detectives and report
ers. What evidence have you? Moth
ing but the imagination Of q delirlous
girl If You told them OF your de-
lirium you would only stir up a SCAM
dal 1t would have no vnlue ina court"
Gloria stared at him tremendously,
but he went on wildly to convince her.
I'VE should be laid open TO enormous