The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-05-04

doctor he was ideal. So Gloria dashed
away with Casimir and Stas, while
Hortensia and Pierpont held up their
hands in despair of her.
When Gloria's chauffeur and foot
man heard the address she gave them
they thought they had misunderstood.
She repeated it In most positive tones.
They raised their eyebrows in way
that insinnated, what NEXT"
Condolences do happen now and
then in real ife-not quite SO often or
so gracefully as in fiction, and yet
once in a while. In fact, condolences
make life what 1t is. And so it CHANGED
that the murderer of Dick Freneau
whom Gloria had followed from the
night court had found a hiding place
in the same block where Casimir
lived.
Gloria recognized the region as soon
as her limousine turned into it. She
recognized the saloon and dance hall
where she had found and lost her
man. But she did not recognize the
murderer's daughter in the crowd that
gathered about the unusual limousine
when it drew up along the garbage
cans.
Nell Trask was looking for her faith
er, and she paused to see the fine lady
descending from the palace car. In
Nell's arms was the child of Richard
Freneau, a beautiful creature like it's
father. Gloria, hurrying through the
crowd, could not help pausing to ad-
+ T. ~ 10
finger it held up. There for moment
the two women paused with DiclI
Freneau's child between them; and
neither dreamed that the other had
ever heard of him. Gloria passed on
into the tenement and Nell went to
seek her father.
When Gloria was led up and up a
gloomy staircase to the one dismal,
barren room which Casimir and his
wife and their child had had to call
home, she felt that she had no right to
complain of any woes that had befal-
len her.
The sick mother was outstretched
on an old bed by dark window. A
neighbours wife, who introduced her
self as Mrs. Slattery, thank you kind
ly," was sitting by her. Casimir ran
to his wife, and gasping with terror
at her appearance, dropped on his
knees. She embraced him with long
white arms SO gaunt that they fright
ened Gloria. Stas ran to the other
side of the bed and clambered up.
His mother turned, stared at him, and
only realized after a lopg look that
he was hers. Then she gathered him
to her poor bosom with sob of pitt
ful rapture.
Mrs. Slattery rubbed off chair with
her apron and invited Gloria to rest
herself, but Gloria went to Casimir' 8
wife. The wretched woman clutched
her hands and held them to her cheek,
while Stas and Casimir both explained
to her who Gloria was. They told her
what miracles Gloria had performed
and they plainly hoped for another,
but Gloria was filled With dread that
money would be useless here. She
promised glibly, but her heart felt
helpless.
Doctor Royce came at last and she
had some hope that he might redeem
Lie LIE VI CnC VACJIA1 VI IAAOs AAO AAuOS
his examination and spoke cheerfully
enough, but Gloria was sure from his
tone that he was lying, too. She led
him out into the hall to question him
He shook his head gloomily. Gloria
protested.
esBut surely there must be some way
to help her ~
ssNot in this cavern" Doctor Royce
insisted "Of course If she were In
the country somewhere in the air I'm.
!. der the skybut what chance has she
Of thatY
That was so easy that Gloria
laughed aloud. .tOh, If that is all, I'll
furnish the air and the sky. I'll take
them all up to our country place al
once. You get them ready. I'll &C
tell my father that we are expecting
guests.
But what will he say to-
ssWhat does it matter what he saysY
said Gloria as she ran back into tbs
! 1ingy hall to scatter good news like
: flowers. She ordered Royce to attend
to the details of transportation and
!. hurled away to inform her father that
she had invited three strangers to hi
country estate. Gloria's feet skippes
down the staIrway and she was hum