The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-05-25

hers which were an eve lasting dan
ger to her till she could regain them
and make sure of their destruction.
Her smile faded as she saw the look
Of wrathful contempt in Gloria's eyes.
Then she caught glimpse Of that fate
full envelope which she had last seen
in Doctor Royces hands. How could |
Gloria have obtained it? Of all peo- |
pie in the world, Gloria was most to be !
dreaded with those letters in her pos
session. Lois heart began to pound
her mind told her to run, but her
knees could not even uphold her.
Gloria wasted no time On prefaces
She said: II see that you recognize
these letters. Shall I give them to
David now, or have you anything to
say first?''
''What shall ] say? What can I say!'
Lois Sta1nmered.
"You might begin with the truth.
What was Dick F'reneau to you?"
Lois shivered al having to make con-
fessiOn before such q court, for Gloria
was young and c1ean-minded and she
could not understand the trials and
trihulations Of a woman like Lois.
And Gloria, too. had been wronged.
Her lover had been killed in his sins.
Lois realized what hateful face vice
wears when its pink domino is ripped
from it's smile.
But Lois told her story, justifying
herself by laying all the blame on Ere
neau or on Gloria. She told how Ere
neau had won her heart in Florida, but
he had been poor andaDavid had won
her from him with his wealth. Then
she made the old excuse. that David
had neglected her for his ambition and
had left her a prey to Freneaus fasci-
nations. Freneau had made her utter
1y his and led her into the depths Of
guilt only to cast her off when Gloria
appeared in all her panOply of youth
and innocence and idolatry.
She told Gloria that Freneau had
protested to her that he did not love
Gloria but only wished to marry her
to save himself from bankruptcy and
poverty.
This was an unwiSe confession. for
Gloria was revolted by the proclamation
of her love. She did not believe the
was a black falsehood. Lois persisted
that it was true. But she had lost the
tone of cOntrtion and Gloria had lost
all power Of mercy.
When Lois finished her story and
told Of Freneau's plan to elOpe with
her. Glorias heart was hard as marble
Lois made her final plea:
81 have sinned, but 1 have atoned.
and David trusts me. Give me back
: the letters and let our lives go on in
peace
Gloria looked at her in wonder, and
sneered:7
4 'sYou don't ask much of life, do you:
: You have the love Of two men; bring
!, one to death and one perhaps to crime
and then you say: Don't let any harm
t befall me. I must keep everything !!
You act little too much, Lois"
Lois stared at her in Amusement.
a ''You don't mean that you are goins
r to tell David what ] have told YOU:
t Yes
"And wreck our lives together?"
THAT is for him to decide. III
/ shall have the truth. and then he cal
v do what he pleases.
'fNou will give him the letters?''
} Gloria nodded grimly. Lois stoo'
: wavering in despair. The silence wa
= pierced by the distant cry of locomo
e tives whistle. An express train wa
coming round a far-off curve. It WOul'
sweep down the tracks that ran at tn
e foot Of the Stafford estate, along til
C edge of the river.
1t Lois hardened q moment, then IN
e engine Shrieked again. She made ne
e wild decision.
"Cive him the letters, then. 1t won
q matter TO me-"
e She turned and ran down the Ion
e. terraces sloping to the embanklnen
it that hid the trains from view. Giori
Y had often paused on the edge OF 1t {
1T watch the train rush terribly past. Sh
understood Lois full purpose. VIVA
IS ever and whosesoeyer the guilt. ther
s. had been tragedies enough. Lois mu:
"a not die.
I'd She ran after her calling caliln
ID But Lois was far ahead of her ana III
10 train was rushing with terrible spec
as to the meeting place.
Of (TO BE CONTINUED