Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-01-01

~ 50 - h1fA AtAA okCWGiGu Will
his eyes as he said:
Look here. Freneau. haven't you
q little something to say to me?'
Freneau colored a trife. but ne
stared back al Royce without discom-
fort and he laughed no less easily
than usual:
Why. no. old man: nothing that I
know of-except that ! D
ought to feel sorry that you arrived
% late. But 4 can't feel sorry. I
didn't even know you were there"
Royce glared at him. then laughed
harshly and said:
The diagnosis IN your case is clear.
You are hopelessly infected with yell
low fever; but you are immune to all
honorable sentiments. Don't lose your
head. though: and don't try any OF
your tricks on little Gloria Stafford
Freneau laughed again. a more ugly
laugh this time. THAT seems to me to
be Miss Stafford's business. and Ger.
tainly none OF yours.
I'm going to make It mine,' said
Royce.
After Gloria had enjoyed all the
redeeming Influences Of a tub. and .
shampoo. and fine linen and a silk
frock. she found that her interest in
Mr.. Freneau was as keen as ever. She
even felt grateful TO Lois Freeman for
flirting with David. She a out on
the ledge or the veranda and day.
dreamed.
When her father sauntered by and
asked her what she was up TO she
answered:
20, nothingl I'm Just basking In
the sun"
But when Pferpont came by that
way q little later he found Dick FIRE.
neau basking in Glo-ia's most be-
witching smile. They were Romeo
and Juliet at Palm Beach. separated
only by a low wall ana a clump OF
rhododendrons- And Romeo was
reaching across that with his walking
stick.
II was the first time Pierpont had
seen his child in a Irritation. He did
not like her in that employment. He
took her by the ear and led her away.
She protested at the indignity.
Pierpont let go her Ear. He had al.
ways been afraid or her and unable
to manage her. He was not afraid OF
Freneau. however. He went for him
at once. He was about to begin with
a stout. How dare you speak to my
danghtery' He paused. feeling that
without F~reneau's help he might have
no daughter 70 be spoken to.
Pierpont was used to accomplishing
his ends with the weapon OF the check
book. He drew the weapon now and
a fountain pen and said:
"Bv the way, there's that reward.
It VIII give me great pleasure to pay
II over"
He wrote after PAY I o the order or
the name Richard Freneau" and the
amount Five thousand and no-hun-
dre6ths dollars-$5.0o0." Freneau's
fingers twitched to clutch the fortune.
but his brain advised him to play for
higher stakes. He put away the temp
tation with a proud smile.
1T is reward enough TO have been
able to be OF service to Miss Stafford"
II Gloria had not adored him be-
fore. that chivalrcus speech would
won her. II quite i.sarmed Pier
pont. With his check book ruled out,
best weapon was gone. But he
clustered all the harder. MY daugh-
ter is a little girl. l won't have her
time away with you. She must
get her education first. She Is hard
ly more than a child"
"Oh, papa" Gloria cried.
Pierpont went on: "And she's GO
ing to school at once. We start north
the next train"
Then Mr.. Freneau win come north.
too. and we shall see each other all
want to. For we love each other.
we. Mr.. Freneau? Desperately!
Don't We. Mr.. Freneau?.
MIR. Freneau's answer was blurred.
Pierpont studied the two young peo-
pie He had his W opinion OF FIRE.
II was formed on brief &C
quaintance. but he was a judge Of
men.
You love each other, Ell? Desper
ateiy. too? Well. well! Now, look
here ne said. after a quick balanc.
ing OF his mind. "of course you both
know that Gloria is too young for
marriage. She must prepare herself
tor the solemn responsibilities OF life
ana graduate at . goou finishing
Now. II you will wait. and
not see each other or write to each
other. till then. and ii you still love
each other then. | will not oppose
your marriage I'll do all ! can Ia
make you happy. Is it q bargain"
Freneau had not the courage to re
fuse the demand in the cold eyes oil
he millionaire. TO be accepted as his
at any time was a marvel
BUS promise He fastened to give
own In exchange for It.
When he had promised there was
nothing left for Gloria % do but prom
|se also.