Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-01-04

asAAAA - H#A1 $50
Stafford stair. In line with her aunt,
her girl friends. and Lois. was the
most exquisite dohutante Of the sea
son. Aunt Hortensia had seen many
in her long life, but she heaved a
small. polite sigh OF great pride and
contentment as she glanced over the
impefious young figure at her side.
Miss Stafford had insisted hat SIM
rlicity be the keynote Of her niece's
attire AZ this afternoon reception IN
her honor: but the cunning Of the
dressmaker had contrived TO cause
the appearance OF simplicity Owe n
most complicated study in beauty line.
Yet above the wealth OF fabric tho
joyous youth Of Gloria shone forth
transccndeEt.
The house was SD flied with flow
ers scntby admiring friends and hope
he put all his contempt into his eyes
whenever Freneau's attempts TO get a
word done with Gloria became too
l%asrantly expressive.
The chase was watched also by an
othor-the terrified. consclence-haunt-
ed wife OF David. Lois had given up
her peace and happiness and her re-
spect Of self for the prize that she
now saw being taken from her. She
felt 10 repentance. but only a helpless
rage
Gloria had counted on dancing the
first dance with her Mr.. FTeneau. She
was so beset with wooers that he
could not reach her. RE was not the
only man in New York willing 10
make love 10 the heiress Of the Stat
ford wealth. who was. incidentally.
lowered IN her own right with a bear
" and magnetism that would have
meant q fortune 20 any girl.
Gloria tried I'D dodge the pnatlike
suitors. ",tay ! have this dance? The
next? Tho ono after that. them
They followed her among The pillars
about ,le ballroom roor. They cor
nered he~ a- ie7t. ana Or. Royce con-
Tron;ed her. She wos about % take
him in desperation when She saw FREE
mean MI her shoulder.
He was thn l.1. or men. but q sud
den shyness or,rnhrncl her. Fnr
betroth7l 20 tiT hal aat yet been rati-
Ced again. and shc was afraid 20 let
everyone sec her choose him. Her
humid eyes carght sight Of her father.
who was smiling in the hope that
there was security in numbers. She
made a dive at him and made him
her beau. Everybody admired her
tactful choice; but Pierpont knew
more about investments than about
the fox trot. and he had more rncu-
matism In hi5 muscles than grace. lie
made q sorry figure in the crowd on
dancers. and finally collapsed in
Royce's rms G. ria giggled.
Il turn him over @ you, Doctor"
FIJI suitors Tat tn, flair was like a
merrymakiI ia the gigantic conserv-
atory. AT the loot az the steps stood
4 fcotman. resplendcnt in powdered
hair, with SILK stockings, red velvet
coat and kueohreeches. N the edge
Of the receiving line the old butler,
Griggs. kept calling each guests name
clearly and distinctly. sd that the
hostessos need not puzzle their wits
over who was who.
Gloria's heart pounded proudly be-
meath hcr chiT0ns. Il was not half
bad to be a young queen h. ones own
palace and At last to be considered a
real part Of II. Yet as guest after
guest was presented 10 her aunt she
gave each only an ~instant's gracious
ness. then her eyes went beyond and
her ears strained for the magical
name OF her idol-Frcneau.
She did. indeed. give a little extra
honor 20 one old friend. As Or. Royce
mounted the stairs Gloria ran forward
from the line 10 greet him specially.
She presented him 20 her aunt. and
his heart giowed warmly with Gloria's
welcome. Aunt Hortensia's keen eyes
lit up with pleasure as she greeted
him, too. for something about tho look
OF his eye and the grip OF his hand
gained her worldly wise favor. But
Gloria's affection for Royce was not
love, and when he turned back to her
for a word he found her distract. He
sighed and passed on 10 Lois. waving /.
her little hand 70 someone ir the
ascending stream OF guests.
When DR.. Royce had sinai hands
with the rest Of the hostessc- he saw
Freneau already holding Gloria's hand.
There was an expression OF ownership
on his face. and he made no bones
about incidentally holding M a line
OF indignant guests. Royce saw the
look OF alteration in Gloria's coun-
%tenance, ana ne burned with righteous
jealousy.
From this time on through tho en-
tire afternoon Royce made himself a
Nemesis on the trail OF Richard FIRE.
Eeau. Through the ballroom, the tea
room. the library ard conservatory
Royce followed the Gloria-hunting
man. He could not do much. but he
hoped to shame Freneau a little, and
Ito be ~cont.nueI.N