The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-03-01

was there. He was saying to Lois
that Gloria was on the hunt and warn
ing her to be both a better wife than
she had been and a more discreet
woman, just such q warning as he had
given Mulry.
Mulry had already taken the doc
tors advice. He had invited himself
to the country home Of a friend Of
his, a home not far from David Stat
ford's. In eluding Gloria he had set
out for the very region which she was
about to visit in her investigation Of
Lois.
Gloria did not hear what Doctor
Royce was saying to Lois when she
was shown into the living room. But
she saw that they were talking eX-
citedly and that her appearance con-
fused them. Gloria was so discon-
certed at this that she could hardly
explain her errand.
Il just dropped in to say that I will
accept David's invitation to go up to
the farm with you"
Lois was so treasured by this that
she exclaimed with delight.
Royce said to Gloria: "May I come
up, too?"
Gloria answered him Jelly: at isn't
my farm. Good-by, Lois" Then she
walked out.
Royce stared at Lois, then at the
spot where Gloria had been. Gloria
was angry at him. He could not i'm
agine why. He could not permit her
TO snub him like that. He had some
rights as a physician if not as a lover.
He bolted from Lois presence and
caught Gloria just as she was getting
into her car.
I'm going to take you home at
once" he said.
She answered with more ice: I'm
not going home. I'm going to my
fathers office. Good-by."
Royce helped her into the car, hesi-
tated a moment. then jumped in after
her. Neither Of them spoke all the
way downtown. She was too angry.
He was too bewildered. Arrived at
the Equitable building, she put out her
hand to bid him good-by. but he shook
his head and went in with her.
Entering her fathers suite, she
brushed aside a protesting secretary
and penetrated with Royce to the
luxurious inner office.
Pierpont Stafford rose in amaze
rnent.
"Why. my child, what are you doing
down here? You're not strong enough
for this" And he looked inquiringly
ct the doctor.
II tried to take her home, but she
would not listen to me-" Royce said
h~elplessly.
Gier.a advanced 20 her father with
sudden anger.
"My health Is all right, father, but
what neither you nor Stephen real
ize is that something must be done
for my peace of mind And drawing
the photograph from her breast, she
pointed to 1t with flashing eyes, turn
ing to each of them accusingly. "He
was not drowned. He was murdered.
You don't care. You want only ST.
lence. But / want the truth! I'm go
ing to find It! I'm going to hunt down
that man whether you help me or
not! 7"
Royce studied her with uneasy ad-
narration: her father tossed his hands
In despair.
Royce thought q moment, then beck
oned to Gloria and said: Come with
me-"
Gloria followed him out wondering
~.
Entering the corridor Of the build
ing. Royce pressed the elevator but
ton marked: "Up.- He guided Gloria
into q car that stopped for them. It
was an express and shot them up to
the fortieth floor. Alighting. Royce
led her out to the roof. 1t vas sur
rounded by q high wall, but a car
penter's ladder CHANGED to be there,
and Royce set II up that Gloria might
mount and see across the parapet.
Wonderingly. Gloria allowed Royce
to help her up. She shuddered as
she looked down into the depths Of
the vast canyons. Then. In great seri-
BUSINESS. Royce spoke. He stood on
the ladder with her and pointed In a
circle. beginning ut the east and turn
Ing south. then west. then north. as
he spoke:
"You say you saw q man xiii Fren-
eaui I shy 1t was delirium. II 1t
were true, you don't know his name.
his country, or his motive; you would
hardly know his face II you saw him
again. No one knows who he Is. lie
~