The Elbert County tribune., 1917-04-06

was there. He was saying to Lois
that Gloria was on the hunt and warn
ing her to be both better wife than
she had been and a more discreet
woman. just such 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. home not far from David Staf-
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 We're talking ex-
citedly and that her appearance con-
fused them. Gloria was so discon-
certed ut this that she could hardly
explain her errand.
81 just dropped in to say that will
accept David's invitation to go up to
the farm with you"
Lois was so renssured by this that
she exclaimed with delight
Royce said to Gloria: "May l come
up, too7"'
Gloria answered him icily: 'Jt isn't
my farm. Good-by. Lois" Then she
walked out.
Royce stared mt Lois, then ut the
spot where Gloria had been. Gloria
wns angry at him. He could not i'm
ngine why. He could not permit her
to snub him like that. He had some
rights as a physician IL not as 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: "rm
not going home. I'm going to my
| fathers office. Good-by."
Royce helped her into the car. hesi-
tated n 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 protesting secretary
and penetrated with Royce to the
luxurious inner office.
ment.
| "Why. my child, what are you doing
down here? You're not strong enough
for this" And he looked inquiringly
at the doctor.
| "I tried to- take her home. but she
would not listen to me-" Royce said
helplessly.
Gloria advanced to 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 si-
lence. But 1 want the truth I'm GO
ing to find it TN going to hunt down
that man whether you help me or
not 7"
Royce studied her with uneasy nd
miration: her father tossed his hands
in despair.
Royce thought moment, then beck
oned to Gloria and said: "Come with
me-"
Gloria followed him out wondering
ly.
Entering the corridor Of the build
ing, Royce pressed the elevator but
ton marked: up" He guided Gloria
into a car that stopped for them. 1t
was an express and shot them up TO
the fortieth floor. Alighting, Royce
led her out to the roof. 1t was sur
rounded by n high wall, but car-
penter's ladder chnnced to be there.
and Royce set 1t 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-
| ousncss. Royce spoke. He stood on
the ladder with her and pointed In
circle, beginning ut the east and turn
ing. south, then west. then north, as
he spoke:
you say you saw a man kill Fren-
eaui I say 1t was delirium. If IT
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. He