Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1917-04-19
as over. Go on, and come back with

Us over. TO on, ana come Dack with
the bacon, or don't come back at ALL"
Freneau would almost rather have
gone to the electric chair, but needs
must when the devil drives. So he
took big bouquet and big ledger
and a taxicab to the Stafford house.
And whom should he meet as he
was ushered in but Lois telling Pier
pont good-by. And what should Pier
pont say but, Il am going to tell you a
great secret, Lois. Dick, here, is en-
gagged to Gloria. Don't tell anyone"
Lois had no more sel7-control than
to topple over. Freneau was disguised
with her more than ever now. She
had enough presence of mind to blame
her collapse on the heat of the room
and her alarm for Gloria. And the
excuse sufficed for old Stafford, but as
she left, she gave the sadly shaken
Freneau a look that said, "Oh, no,
won't tell anyone, but I'll tell you
something"
That was what her eyes said, while
her lips said: Congratulations to you
both. I'm sure you'll be very happy.
Good-by."
Freneau's heart fiuttered still more
when he preached the subject of the
loan to Pierpont-broke to Pierpont
the unpleasant news that his new SON.
in-law's first act was to borrow money.
He put it on business basis, but Pier
pont, like most other millionaires.
hated to be sponged on, and he shook
his head in answer to Freneau's propo-
sition.
Freneau was in pitiable plight. He
was about to stink away in despair,
when he happened to think to say:
"You offered me reward for the
rescuing of Gloria from the Indians. /
refused the money then, SO | thought
that now perhaps well -
thought"
That's true" said Pierpont. THAT
suggests a way out of it. Your propo-
sition does not appeal to my business
sense, but l can do this. I'll pay you
double the reward with compound in
terest for five years. That will square
us up"
Freneau smiled with a renewal Of
hope, and Stafford wrote him an i'm
portant check.
Freneau thanked him, promised to
return the money. and left the bou-
quet for Gloria. AS he made his way
out he met Royce just coming down
from Gloria's room. Freneau hated
the sight of Royce for many reasons.
We usually hate people we have
wronged. He managed to ask how
Gloria was. Royce said she was bet
ter, but not yet out of danger. A Gu
rious look came over his face as he
added:
Look here, Freneau, / don't like
you bit, but Gloria loves you a lot.
/ don't see why, but she does. Wom-
en- are peculiar. Now, I'd rather
break my own heart than hers. She
wants you for husband, and IL you'll
play fair and walk straight from now
on, I'll do nothing to interfere with
your plans. But If you play false with
her, I'll-well-there's nothing
won't do to save her from YOU"
Freneau promised glibly that he
would be an ideal lover and a model
of loyalty. Royce said: II hope So"
without much hope, and You'd bet
teri" with rather too much empha-
sis. Still, Freneau had the check in
his pocket and he went back to his
Office with "the bacon" Mulry made
him so welcome that he forgot his
new troubles in the radiance Of the
new business plans.
But his promise to Royce was put
to the test at once, for that very aft
ernoon, when he reached his apart
ment, Lois appeared there. She was
heavily yelled, but Freneaus valet
seemed to know her. He backed out
discreetly. When Lois threw off the
shroud her face was terrible in its
resolution.
you shan't marry Gloria, Dick" she
said. you shan't throw me over
not for her? You shan't marry her
of all the people in the world"
Freneau was tired of Lois and tired
of interference. He forgot to be gen.
tie. He laughed.