Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-03-01

and his choice among women Then
she remembered the judges accusa-
tion against David. According to that
her brother was guilty Of Il more helm
Gus crime than Lois. He had taken a
life or. with even greater wickedness,
had persuaded another man to COM
init murder for him. h could not
rest till she had 4. her cleared David
Of that suspicion or warned him that
his secret was known.
The reason that the dnel between
Gloria and Lois had not been observed
fireman on the express engine was
that the Stafford estate was q little
world In itself.
David had been comforting with his
business associates by telephone. Pier
pont had been inspecting the prize cat
tie with which he jealousy expected
10 confound his rival neighbors at the
next county fair. Stas had been look
ing ut the big picture books on the
huge table In he great living room.
His father, Casimir. had been working
among the rose bushes with the head
gardener. Judge Freeman had been
involved In n more conspiracy, which
he firmly hoped would be the last.
II was Casimir who first interrupt
ed Gloria In her search for David.
Casimir had hardly believed that there
were as many roses In all the world
as there In the Stafford close. He
could see his wife lying In a reclin-
ing chair In a sunny nook and IL oc-
Cured to him that one Of those roses
would cheer her and serve as a bit of
gallantry. SO he plucked one. The
gardener saw the deed, charged on
him with a roar. and snatched the
flower from him. The deep thorn bite
he received In his thumb did not pacifyl
him. He stood sucking his thumb and
swearing when Pierpont strolled BY.
Pierpont had lost his temper ut the
cows had not brushed their teeth TO his
satisfaction nor manicured their hoofs
to perfection. When the gardener ex-
planned that Casimir had dared 10
pluck n Of the famous and priceless
Pierpont roses which had never failed
Of honorable mention nj the annual ex-
hibition of the Garden club. Pierpont
was more wroth than the head gar
dener.
Casimir quailed before the on
slaught. and Gloria. drawn TO the spot
by the noisy voices. found him craven
with confusion. She took his part mt
once. and when the gardener and her
father explained the a~trocity he had
committed Gloria also turned on him
In heavens name. Casimir. what
did you mean by taking the only rose
my poor father hasf"
II did take H." Mees Gloria. for to
geeve my poor wife. Better ! should
20 away now. yesY"
"you took a rose to give TO your
wife. did your" Gloria cried. 'You
ought to be ashamed OF yourself"
Il am IL! oh. l am it." Casimii
protested.
Il should think you would be-
Gloria stormed. Taking one rose foi
YOU poor wife. The mex time you
want flowers for her you take as many
as you can carry"
While her father and the gardener
and CasimIr gaped like dolts. she
shipped of a dozen of the Pierponi
roses with the gardeners own shears
She laid them in CnSimir's arms nnG
said: Maybe she won't care for the
Pierpont roses. | don't think much OF
them, myself. So take her some Of
zach OF these varieties, and find which
she likes best. Then II the gardener
hothers you again, tell me and Ill sniT
his head off the same way and YOU
can nave his place."
She gave the gardener his shears.
and followed. turning 10 say: THANK
you. father"
Pierpont and the gardener looked at
each other and both said. "Whew"
Gloria went along 10 make sure that
Casimir's wife received the flowers
with no hint of their hazardous gather
Ing. Then she went 10 the house til
find David.
She was encountered by her aunt
the great Hortensia. with a bevy oil
other great ladies from the country
side.
"Give us tea. Gloria. for heavens
sake" said Hortensia, 'and come lis
ten TO our scheme
They dragged Gloria to the Jspanesel
tea garden. whittier the servants
brought tea and NIL its sccompani1
ments across the lawpr Aunt Hor-
tensia gathered In Doctor Royce as
well.
Aunt Hortensia explained that IL
was about time TO get up something"
Each OF the ladies had her pet charity
which needed funds and everyone
talked mt the same time. Gloria's mind
was too full Of her own problems u
feel much interest. She beckoned to
Casimir and sent him with tea and
cakes for his wife. When he came
back with the china she piled up Il
little midafternoon banquet for him
self.
He took IL shyly. then stared ut IL.
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