The Hope pioneer., 1921-05-19
GLORIA
BY MoLllE MATHER.
%. 1924. Western Newspaper Union.)

When he would glimpse her shining
head at the foot of the garden and go
swiftly in pursuit, Gloria would be
sure to disappear, her golden head pop
ping out to mock him presently, from
an upper window. 1t was this elus-
iveness of the girl which first drew,
and then piqued his fancy. Everton.
of the old and honored Everton's, was
not usually evaded by the fair sex.
And if Gloria seemed to him bit of
thistledown. Everton, upon his part
impressed the girl just at first. pom
derously, and as an old, young per-
son of depressing character. Frank
ly, she did not care to know him. She
had heard so much from grandmOth-
err since her arrival at the homestead,
concerning the desirability Of this
same dignified young man as future
husband, that she was in revolt ut the
possibility.
To Gloria. families of old and I'M
questioned standing or circumstances
of like unquestioned stability were
matters Of Indifference. She had come
to enjoy in full the novel experience
Of country life, and the sweet old ex
perience of occupying the very room
that her own mother had occupied in
her far-awa: girlhood. After that.
Gloria wanted to 80 back to her fa-
ther. The mother, whose picture on
the wall. was so like herself. had died
before she might even become u men,
Ory.
Father Bob, Gloria preferred to call
him Bob" had cared for her in child
hood as tenderly us that mother might
have done, and had sent her later with
tears in his eyes-away from him to
school. And though Bob's money was
hard won, Gloria never lacked for
the things that her associates enjoyed.
She looked forward to graduation,
merely as time when she would be
reunited to her father, and then he
had sent her abroad. Upon her re-
turn he urged that she try life in her
grandmother's home. Gloria was
grieved at Bob's desertion. 1t was
difficult for her to see the unselfish-
ness Of his plan. When Mrs. Everton
Blaine learned of her sons infatu-
alton for the little stranger, she was
distressed.
Mrs. Blaine remembered Gloria's
mother as graceful young person
who had married out of town, and
gone away. never to return. Everton
came to her with the startling an
nouncement of his engagement.
| Gloria had consented to marry him,
he said joyously.
"Everton,' she bemoaned. 'if sou
had but waited! Now, your engage
| ment will only have to be broken. An
Everton may not bring dishonor upon
| his family. / AM sure, no EvertOn
| would"
Her son famed.
| '.Disllonor!'' he exclaimed.
| Mrs. Blaine nodded sadly.
"If not" She said, chow do you ex-
plain the fact Of the girl being en-
gagged to YOU. prOfessedly In love with
YOU, and being each evening not only
in the company of a tlashy-looking in
lvidual--but being-yes. my dear In
:hc mans embrace as Well"
81 don't believe It," Everton cried.
"Thcn you must disbclieve your
mothers word" she told him, for
have repeatedly witnessed that en-
brace from my seat in the car. The
| girl upon whom you have wasted your
affection, was evidently keeping Il
tryst each time I saw her, with her
companion ON the bridge by the mill"
Without response the son turned
hlindly, and made his way toward the
same hidden little bridge. He scarce
ly realized why he chose that direc-
! tion or why he was going. But as heap
preached in the deepest misery that
| there before him, her blonde head
swuying in it's thistlcdown fashion.
| in evident time to some merry tune
| that she was humming. And near her
stood the man; fashionably flashy, as
! his mother had said, but with hand
some eyes resting I'm unmistakable
tenderness upon the girls face. With
out a qualm, Gloria beckoned her low
er. Conirsedly Everton came. "This."
she said gently, zig my dear, dear fa-
thsr. Mother ran away with him
years ago. Everton. and married him.
Had been in her place should have
done the same. Father happened to
hc & young travelling circus man then,
ard mothers people never forgave.
Now, father owns that circus and
loves sill every animal and every
creature in It. He is trying to per-
sua,c me 10 allow him to efface him
self for my sake. to foreswear the
best father cir! could know, because
of the difference of his life from the
lives Of Your people. I had not
thought of that difference"
The blonde head bent to rest
against the gray tweed shoulder.
81 love you both," Gloria said, "but
l must be true to Bob.