The Elbert County tribune., 1917-03-02

man took Gloria away from Freneau
for the last half of the dance, and
Freneau reluctantly walked away,
Royce asked for a word with him,
moving toward the library, where they
could be alone. Freneau followed
with uneasy bravado. Once safe from
observation, Doctor Royce let his rage
break forth.
You contemplate fortune hunter!
Five years ago warned you to keep
away from Gloria. You lied to her
then and your life is still one long
lie."
Freneau's face blanched with fury,
and he raised his arm to strike Royce,
but before the calm contempt in his
eyes he changed his mind. He de-
cided to forego the blow for the pres
ent, and laughed as bravely as he
could Royce pursued him with an
alarming threat.
What II tell her of your affair
with certain married woman"
Freneau gave a surprised start. at
tempted to speak, changed his mind
again. He was guilty of too much
to risk a challenge. Struggling his
shoulders, he moved sullenly of and
out of the room.
Royce smiled to himself. ut was
a bluff, but 1t worked" He had
caught glimpse of Lois jealousy and
faint suspicion had risen in his
mind. Now he wondered II it we're
confirmed.
Royce walked after Freneau and
had the satisfaction OF seeing him de-
part after bidding good-by to Gloria.
Royce thought he had won a sig
nal victory. He would have taken lit
tlo pleasure In 1t had he known that
Freneau left SO obediently because
Gloria had already granted him
whole afternoon to be spent in her
company alone on the following day.
Freneau felt SO certain of his ability
to win n promise of marriage from
her with this opportunity that he
could afford the seeming compliance
with the order of Doctor Royce.
AS he descended the outer steps of
the Stafford home q footman sig
| nailed his car to put into the drive
way. A tramp who had been loiter-
ing on the street watching the gor-
geous crowd Of guests. caught sight
Of Freneau and seemed to go mad
with rage. He rushed forward. shout
ing accusations. Freneau struck gut
viciously with his walking stick The
tramp fell to the ground, while FIRE.
neau, leaping into his limousine, mo-
toned his chauffeur to make haste.
He leaned out of his car as 1t turned
and smiled to see the tramp pick him
self up awkwardly and run after him,
rushing wildly through the traffic of
Riverside drive.
AS Freneau's car turned into side
street the tramp, still in pursuit. was
caught by an oncoming automobile
and knocked sideways. One of the
rear wheels passed over his legs Tie
car was stopped instantly and the
occupants picked him up to hurry him
to hospital.
Freneau sat back In daze at the
quick tragedy. He could not tell how
badly the man was hurt nor how
much he could depend on his own re-
lease from danger in that quarter. 1t
rufied him considerably to encoun-
past, Just as he was about to win a
beautiful young wife for himself; a
relic who had Just grievance and
might well ruin him by exposure. To
get out of his ENHANCEMENT with Lois
was delicate matter enough for him
to handle without this new ghost.
Truly, Freneau brooded, brave,
pleasure-loving free lance like himself
should have wider field to move
about in. The smallness of this world
was cramping his style!
Arriving at his own apartment he
threw his overcoat to his valet and
marched gloonily into the living room.
slamming the door behind him. II
only Trask should die! But he could
not count ON such luck. Trask would
probably escape with few bruises
and an added grudge, and be out
again in a few days to pick up the
trail.
A vision came to Freneau's mind of
when he left her beside stream near
mining camp in the South.
Poor fool! She had pleaded 30 un-
reasonably that he should marry her
and save her. When he refused she
had thrown herself down on the. bank
in wild abandonment to her grief. As
he mounted his horse he saw the
| girls father pick her DIP and hold her
in his arms while apparently she sob
bed forth her confession. A look OF
such savage ferocity came over Trask 8
face that Freneau dug spurs into his
horse. On reaching the town he had
boarded 6 train G. once, leaving his
few belongings behind him. For that
| 1oolr on Ira aak,a, face surely meant