The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-03-30

TO tnat! e
He shook his head sadly, st,no
with sudden memory, Gloria nruss
him toward the window. eo
81 saw him murdered and ro,,
ne it was delirium. Why?" '''u
"You admitted it yourself who, ~.
received his letters and te}eeron,'a
Royce answered hastily.
"But l don't believe that now A.,
don't believe that you do eithprn
Royce WINGED at this.
Ut was too much OF a coinci{cncan
continued Gloria. II am NOT . cbn,
any longer, Stephen, and though FIJI.
tragedy has nearly unbalanced NV
naind, [ am still able to think and roo
sen. Why, If this had happened IT.
tie later | would have been his vifo.
Her lips trembled like hurt cbilds
and Royce turned his head away in
pity.
eff [ were his wife I should not elf
Idly by and let the demon who toot
his precious life go scot free, should 70
Should I, Stephen"
Il am going to act as though l were
his widow in reality, as [ am in heart
1 shall go to the police" Royce start.
ed. "And tell them everything VIII
you help me?"
Il will do anything I can, Gloria, but
first VIC must consult your father"
Doctor Royce was dumbfounded at
the new Gloria he had to face, and to
save from monsters she knew nothing
of-the juggernauts Of scandal and
publicity. He determined to confer
with Mr.. Stafford at once, and descend
ed the stairs to find Pierpont in his
library.
Royce told Mr.. Stafford things which
amazed and Mortified him, and when
he had finished he saids; Il did not
: want you to know any Of this as long
as [ could keep it from you Mr. Stat.
, ford. There seemed to be nothing for
you to do and T. felt that you had
enough on your shoulders as it was |
do not know if I acted wisely in keep
, ing you in the dark SO long, but now
that Gloria wants to go to the police
with the matter I had to tell you so
that we could keep her from it and
! save an investigation that would ruin
your sons wife and bring horrible no.
torjety to our innocent Gloria. Who.
ever it was that killed Freneau, he
murt have had his reasons. He has
made good his escape. incidentally he
has saved Gloria from marrying
scOundrel. I could almost thank him
for that. But we must never let Gloria
know Freneau's unworthiness; it
would leave too deep a scar on her
fresh young heart, ruin all her ideals
and kill her faith in humanity"
Stafford gave Royce his hand. GLOW
right you are, Stephen. You are
great and noble friend to her and to
my children. Gloria will get over her
lovers death. She would never re-
cover from the knowledge Of bis
treachery. Yes, we must save her from
that. May God help me to save David,
too"
After Royce had left her Gloria went
to her dressing room. Her maid and
the nurse were unpacking large box.
They tried to conceal it as she came in,
but she commanded them to give it to
her. It was her wedding gown.
Clasping the soft shining robe to her
heart with little cry, she motioneo
them to leave her alone with it. Then
she sank to the floor, clutching 1t In
her arms. She pressed her lips to the
satin folds and cuddled it's beauty to
her cheek. AS she fondled the precious
lace In her fingers, she visioned her
self in the gown. She was standing at
the altar with Freneau by her SIDE;
all the friends Of her world were sit
ting in their pews behind her. TO her
| rapt ears came the organ music swell
ing into the wedding march, as wltn
her head erect and her heart high she
| came back up the aisle on her hls'
bands arms.
The dream crumbled and the glri
woke to the truth with nothing lett u
her dream but the gown in her arms
She kissed 1T reverently, and lalo !"
away in its box, as in coffin. Then liz,
tears vanished and her eyes hardeneu
with resolution. She went down to tho
library, where she found her fathei
pacing the floor in deep meditation.
Gloria ran to him and put her arms
about his neck.
Daddy" she spoke determinedl''
sHave you notified the police yet!
Pierpont was fully prepared for lni''
| He shook his head.
"Why not, father? You must OF
| will, at once"
"Gloria, we can't tell the police all!
thing. If they learned that you "e,s
| engaged to Freneau, the house "ou,a
be besieged by detectives and repo,s
ers. What evidence have you! No'n
ing but the Imagination of dellrio ~,
girl. If your told them Of your ~
lirium you would only stir up sea-
dial. It would have no value in coui,
Gloria stared at him increduiouS.,'
l t,1v% 1Hr u 70 convince