Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-10-20
CONTINUED from Last Issue.)
CHAPTER TX CONTINUED

sudden memory, Gloria pulled MIN TO-
ward the window.
II saw him murdered and you told me
it was delirium. Why?"
You admitted it yourself when 70"
received his letters and kilograms.
Royce answered hastily.
but I don't believe that now. And
don't believe that you do either.
Royce WINGED at this.
1T was too much of a coincidence
continued Gloria Il am not child any
longer, Stephen, and though this tragedy
has nearly unbalanced my mind. l am
still able to reason. Why. if this had
happened a little later l would have
been his wife.
Her lips tremebled like a hurt childs
and Royce turned his head away in
pity.
eff I were his wife | should not sit
;dly by and let the demon who rcok his
precious life go scot free, should 1?
Should 1, Stephen"
Royce was silent. Gloria went on:
"I am going to act as though were
his widow in reality, as 1 am in heart.
shall go to the police" Royce started.
And tell them everything. IL you
help me?"
81 will do anything I can, Gloria, but
first we must consult your father
Doctor Royce was dumfounded at
the new Gloria he had to face, and to
save from monsters she knew nothing
of-the juggernauts of scandal and pub,
licity. He determined to confer with
Mr.. Stafford at once, and descended the
stats to find Pierpont in his library.
Royce told Mr.. Stafford things which
amazed and Mortified him, and when
he had finished he said: 81 did not
want you to know any of this
as long as could keep it from
you, Mr.. Stafford. There seemed to be
nothing for you to do and l felt that
you had enough on your shoulders as II
was. l do not know if 1 acted wisely
in keeping you in the dark so long. but
row that Gloria wants to so to the
police with the matter l 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 no
toriety to our innocent Gloria. Whoever
it was that killed Freneau, he must have
had his reasons. He has made good
his escape. Incidentally he has saved
Gloria from marrying a scoundrel. L
could almost thank him for that. But
we must never let Gloria know Freneau'S
unworthiness; it would leave too deep
a scar on her fresh. young heart, ruin
manity.'
Stafford gave Royce his hand. How
right you are, Stephen. You are great
and noble friend to her and to my
children. Gloria will get over her lover
death. She would never recover from
the knowledge of his rreacnery. Yes.
we must save her from that. May God
help me to save David, too" ....-
After Royce had left her Gloria went
the nurse were unpacking a large box.
They tried. to conceal it as she came In
but she commanded them to give 1T 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 1T In
her arms. She pressed her lips to the
satin folds and cudd1ed its beauty to
her cheek. As she fondled the precious
lace in her fingers, she visioned herself
in the gown. She was standing at the
altar with Freneau by her side; all the
friends of her world were sitting in
their pews behind her. To her rapt
ears came the organ music swelling into
the wedding march, as with her head
erect and her heart high she came back
up the aisle ON her husbands arms.
The dream crumbied and the girl woke
TO the truth with nothing left of her
dream but the gown in her arms She
kissed it reyerently, and laid it away
in it's box, as in coffin. Then her tears
vanished and her eyes hardened with
resolution. She went down to the Ii
brary, where she found her father pac-
ing the floor in deep meditation. Gloria
ran to him and put her arms about his
neck. ..
paddy" she spoke determinedly.
''Have you notified the police yet?'
Pierpont was fully prepared for this
He shook his head.
why not, father? You must, or l
will. at once
GLORIA. we can't tell the police any
thing If they learned that you were
engaged to Freneau, the house would be
besieged by detectives and reporters
What evidence have you? Nothing but
the imagination of a delirious girl II
YOU told them of your delirium you
would only stir up a scandal. 1T would
have no value in court"
Gloria stared at him incredulouSIy,
but he went on wildly to convince her.
I'VE should be laid open to enormous
publicity at once. There would be head
lines in all the papers about you every
day. Gloria Stafford Involved In Freneau
Mystery Secret Engagement of Heiress
lust Discovered Gloria Stafford Claims
tiful Daughter of Pierpont Stafford
She groaned. "Oh, don't father; 1
can't bear it," -- b.
But Stafford continued inexorably:
"You could never leave the house nor
enter it without a dozen cameras being
focused on you. The police would swarm
the house, demand all your private CORE
spondence with Freneau. If you refused
them anything they would use force
and ] should be powerless to help you.
And what the police get the reporters
get Do you want your love and your
sorrow given over to the gossips? Now
do you see why we cannot set the ma
chine In motion? 1 have only one de-
sire, to protect your reputation. If
you want to protect Freneau's, you will
keep silence. Promise?
Gloria was convinced at least for the
moment. She nodded her head in obedi-
ence, kissed her fathers cheek, patted
him absent-mindedly and left him. But
once alone again she burned with resent
ment at the plan to shield the murderer