The Elbert County tribune., 1917-03-30

with sudden memory, Gloria pulled
him toward the window.
II saw him murdered and you told
me 1t was delirium. Whyr
You admitted 1t yourself when you
received his letters and kilograms"
Royce answered hastily.
But 1 don't believe that now. And
I don't believe that you do either"
Royce WINGED at this.
'It was too much of coincidence"
continued Gloria. ~ am not a child
any longer, Stephen, and though this
tragedy has nearly unbalanced my
mind, am still able to think and rea-
son. Why, If this had happened lit
tie later 1 would have been his wife"
Her lips trembled like hurt childs
and Royce turned his head away in
pity.
IF / were his wife / should not sit
idly by and let the demon who took
his precious life go scot free, should /?
Should i, Stephen?"
Royce was silent. Gloria went on:
81 am going to act as though / were
his widow In reality. as / am in heart.
shall go to the police" Royce start
ed. And tell them everything. VIII
you help me2"
II will do anything / can, Gloria. but
first we must consult your father"
Doctor Royce was dumbfounded ut
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
ed the stairs to find Pierpont in his
library.
Royce told Mr.. Stafford things which
amazed and Mortified him, and when
he had finished he said: 'I did not
want you to know any of this as long
as l could keep 1t from you Mr.. STAFF
ford. There seemed to be nothing for
you to do and ] felt that you had
enough on your shoulders as 1t was. l
do not know IL / acted wisely in keep
Ing you in the dark so long, but now
that Gloria wants to go to the police
with the matter / had to tell you SO
that we could keep her from 1t and
save an investigation that would ruin
your sons wife and bring horrible no.
toriety to our innocent Gloria Who
VI.
| must have had his reasons. He has
made good his escape. Incidentally he
has saved Gloria from marrying a
scoundrel. I could almost thank him
for that. But we must never let Gloria
know Freneau's unworthiness; 1t
would leave too deep u scar on her
fresh young heart ruin all her ideals
and kill her faith in humanity"
Stafford gave Royce his hand How
right you are, Stephen. You are a
great and noble friend to her and to
my children. Gloria will get over her
lovers death. She would never re-
cover from the knowledge of his
treachery. Yes. we must save her from
that 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 large box.
They tried to conceal 1t as she came in,
but she commanded them to give it to
her. 1t was her wedding gown.
Clasping the soft shining robe to her
heart with 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 Its beauty to-
her cheek. AS she fondled the precious
| lace in her fingers. she visioned her.
self In the gown. She was standing Mt
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 1t reverently, and laid 1t
away in its box, as In coffin. Then her
tears vanished and her eyes hardened
with resolution. She went down 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 YETI"
Pierpont was fully prepared for this.
He shook his head.
''Why not father? You must. or I
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 report
ers. What evidence have you? Moth
ing but the Imagination of delirious
girl. If you told them of your de-
lirium you would only stir up scan
dal. 1t would have no value In court"
Gloria stared at him incredulously,
but he went on vividly to convince her.
| aXa should be laid onen to ennrmnua