The state herald., 1917-03-09

Dick perceived her shyness and di.
vined the cause at once. He must
speak now. He would never have .
better chance. he thought. Putting
down his cup. he reached across the
table for her hand.
Gloria, dear little Gloria" he
sighed. my five years Of probation are
up. I've waited patiently and always
hopefully. Mayn't have my reward
now? Please say that you will marry
me quickly and put me out Of my
misery. will your"
Gloria could not answer. She hung
her pretty head and wriggled back q
little farther into the grandfather's
chair. Perhaps she did not want to
end the luxury Of keeping him anxious
with . too immediate yes. He would
not daily. He picked up the little
table that stood between them and
putting It aside dropped on one knee
before her. like the true artist In love
that he was. He clasped his arms
about her and she closed her eyes and
kSv0 oim ueI upb.
They heard the untimely hostess ap-
preaching and he sat back In his chair.
twirling his mustache. while Gloria
tried to look as II nothing had hap
pened. Nothing had happened except
Q short flight to heaven.
On the way home they chartered
merrily Of the everythings that would
mako up their new life. The scenery
was the same. yet how different! They
were betrothed now. For many rea-
sons Freneau was impatient to have
her father's sanction to their engage
ment ~ soon as possible. Gloria de-
cided that she would drive him home
with her and beard her parent in his
lair without delay.
Pierpont Stafford was not unpre-
pared for the VIII you let mo marry
your daushterf" speech that Richard
Ffeneau made him. He had given his
own word nve years before that II Fre-
neau and Gloria found themselves In
the same frame Of mind at this date he
would raise no further objections. He
gave up tho fight now. and took his
defeat like tho true sport he was. gra-
ciously concealing his own sad heart.
Tho radiance Of his child and the
evident sincerity Of Frencau almost re-
paid him; At least they made him
hopeful for her happiness. One slip
ulation only he insisted upon. that tho
engagement should not be made pub
lie 1t once. He knew that engage
ments were not necessarily certain to
end In marriage, and he wanted to test
Ffeneau . littre further. He insisted
upon guarding his daughters name to
that extent II anything went wrong
with them they should not have to
take the great American public into
the secret. Ffeneau agreed TO this.
the more readily since II would give
him the more time to propitiate and
get rid Of Lois. And old Trask might
have to be given his Quietus In one
way or another.
While Frcneau and her father held
their council Of war Gloria had gone
out TO the hall to wait Its outcome.
TheSe Freneau found her huddled up
on the lower step. hugging herself -
II she were cold. He rushed TO take
her In his arms for . kiss. She bat.
tied him with mock resistance. before
she ran up the stairs to play Juliet to
his Romeo. Thon. throwing kisses.
they parted.
When she reached her room Gloria
found herself shiveSing with violent
chill that all the warmth OF her heart
could not subdus. Burroughs was In.
stantly alarmed. She summoned
0loria's father. who was even more
alarmed. He made her 20 TO bed At
onco. ordered her covered with many
blankets. and had hot-water bottles
filled.
Tho chill did not absts. In . panic
he toiephoned from Gloria's own room
TO his old family physician. Doctor
Wakefield. and was fortunate enough
to roach him and be assured Of his
immediate attendance. Doctor Wake
field was . fussy medical man Of tho
very old school. Ho had taken good
care Of tho Stafford family. but lat.
terly he had lot science outrun him.
Still he recognized pneumonia without
dinicuity. Ho whispered tho dreadful
word to Stafford and ordered In two
trained nurses and no cnd Of medi.
cines.
Pisrpont Stafford was frantic with
anxiety. Hc telephoned for 0loria'a
brother and for Aunt Hortensia. Bur.
roughs told thom Of tho stolen sleigh
ride and Frsneau bscsms loss popular