The commonwealth., 1917-02-13


put on fresh clothes.
= Then he strolled out to order
evening dress in a hurry from . d.
Beach tailor. He met Frenaau o,1
ing his honors jauntily. Rovce ~
to him and held him skewered ~
his eyes as he said
Look here, Freneau, haven't - M
little something to say to noos "a
Freneau colored a trifa hn+
stared back at Royce without discos
fort and he laughed no less easTl
than usual
Why, no, Old man; netting ~, p
know of-except chat | sunnoes
ought to feel sorry that vou a~,ir
TOP la5e. But | can't fcal soy IN
didn't even know you were there
Royce glarad at nirn, then lanrb.
harshly and said:
The Giagnosi III your case & o,an ~
You are h0nelessIy infected w.tA : "a
low fever, but you are immune 10 81
honorable sentiments. Don't lose To,
head though: and don't trv a1v i
your tricks on little Gloria Sta 9rd
Freneau laughed again, a no III.
laugh this time. "That Gee,ns 10 me.
be Miss Stafford's business. ana III
tainIv none OF yours A
TN going to make it mine. s.f
Royce 81
After Gloria had enjoyed all IN
redeeming influences Of tub, and
shampoo and fine linen and a Sill
frock, she found that her interest M
Mr.. Freneau was as keen as ever. SAs
even felt grateful to Lois Freeman tca
the ledge or the veranGa and day.
dreamed
When her father sauntered by anil,
asked her what she was up to shsa
answered.:
20, nothing! I'm just basking IN
the SUM-
But when Pierpont came by that
way little later he found Dick Ere
neau basking in Gloria most be-
witchire smile. They were Romeo
oAAO y 0i1CC OF Gill ioCdCus oti1otl dJC
only by low wall and clump Of
rhOdOdendrons. And Romeo wa!
reaching across that with his walking
stick.
It was the first time pierpont had
seen bis child in filtration. He did
not Ike her in tf2at employment. He
took her Iy the ear and led her away
She protested at The indicnitv
Pierpcnt let so her ear. He had al
ways boon afraid Of her aDd unable
20 manage her. He was not AFRAID Of
i7rercau, however. fie went for hig
at once, He was about TO hoa;l with
a stout. "Tow dare you snoaiz 10 nr
dargbier?* He paused, feeling that
without Freneau's help he nlig1 haze
no daughter to be snOken to.
PierpOnt was used to accomnlishirg
his ends with the weapon cf the checl
book. He drew the weapon l0w and
a fountain pen and said:
'fBy the way, there's that reward
1t will give mo great pleasure to pay
it over
He wrote after PAY to the order Of
the name "Richard Freneau" and tht
amount "Five thousand and no-hu1
dredths dollars-$5,O90.' Frnneaul
fingers twitched TO clutch the fortune
but his brain advised him to play 70
higher stakes. He put away the temr
tation with a proud smile.
1T is reward enough 10. hnve bee
able to be OF service to Miss ST crt
II Gloria had not adored lin b1
fore, that cIliva.rous speech won.
have won her. L quite disar'nol 2i@
pont. with his check pook ruled or
his best weanon Was gone. Et Z
clustered alI the harder '<L-y aUgi
ter is q little girl. I won't nave h6
fooIing time away with you. S1e n1':
get her education first. She il la.
" more than q child:
ooh pana," Gloria crlod
pierpont went on: "And she's s.
ing to school 1t o.1ce. We start loTt
on the next train"
"Tn6n Mr.. Frenear viii corr o-s
TOO, a1:l we SHAH zee each Other z
We Want 10 OF We -GNS Gtt-A 1--
don't We, EIr. Frencau? Desperate.
Don't we, Mr.. F~reneau?''
ETr Troneau's answer was ft
Pierp0nt studied the two yoG9
pie lie had his. Own opinion o- tl
ncau It was formed on b2-5l 2
quaintance, but lie was 4 judge
men.
''You love eacn other, eli? Desp(
ata,y, too? Well, Wcll! Mo- +o.
here, he said, after a quick l9 2a
ing OF his mind, "of course you DO
know that Gloria is too you
marriage. she must prepare he-5-
for the solemn resDonsibilities or y.
and graduate at q gOoo fin lli
school. Now, if you viii wait .
not see each ether or write to oa'
other, till then, and if you still 10
each other then, i will not oppo
!, yOur marriage. I'll do all can
/ make yea happy. Is it bargain: