The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1917-02-08


and Lois; then David hurried to the
house. He had been called to the tele-
phone, perhaps. Lois sat down to wait
for him. An irresistible and very
womanly impulse sent Gloria straight
toward her. Lois looked up with
smile as Gloria approached. Lois was
happy. She had been wicked and es-
capped punishment. She had repented
and been enabled to keep what she had
lost the right to possess. Her husband
did not know of her guilt; he was no
longer jealous. And Doctor Royce was
about to restore to her those letters of
hers which were an everlasting dam
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 a glimpse of that fate
full envelope which she had last seen
In Doctor Royce's 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: 81 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 say?"
Lois Stammered.
'You might begin with the truth.
What was Dick Freneau to your
Lois shivered at having to make con-
fession before such a court, for Gloria
was young and clean-minded and she
could not understand the trials and
tribulations of a woman like Lois.
And Gloria, too, had been wronged.
Her lover had been killed in his sins.
Lois realized what a hateful face vice
wears when it's 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 and David 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 prey to Freneau's fasci-
nations. Freneau had made her utter
ly 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
charge. She cried out hoarsely that it
was a black faIsehood. Lois persisted |
that it was true. But she had lost the
tone of contrition 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 i 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:
''You 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
befall me. I must keep everythingp
You act a little too much, Lois"
Lois stared at her in amazement.
"You don't mean that you are going |
to tell David what I have told your"
"Yes."
"And wreck our lives togetherT
"That is for him to decide. He |
shall have the truth, and then he can
do what he pleases."
you will give him the letters?"
Gloria nodded grimly. Lois stood
wavering in despair. The silence was
pierced by the distant cry of lOcomo-
tives whistle. An express train was /
coming round far-off curve. 1t would |
sweep down the tracks that ran at the I
foot Of the Stafford estate, along the |
edge Of the river.
Lois hardened moment, then the