The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1928-11-08
Observation-Disclosures
Between Two
Loves
By DUFORD JENNIE

lCnnYrightl

~
IN said quickly, startled and
shocked by her friends words.
But it's true Gladys, and | thought
/ ought to tell you. If Gilmore doesn't
love you enough to take care of your
mother, l don't think he is worthy of
you; for we all know of the love be-
tween you and your mother. Yes, l
was in the office, and Gilmore was chat
ting with Blake; and | heard him say
distinctly: 4 don't know what to do
with Gladys mother And the fact
that you have been engaged for three
years shows something, too. He has
been making fair salary right along
what is he doing with it,"
After Ruth had gone Gladys sat
alone in her room and pondered the
situation, and as she thought her
mood darkened. Something was wrong.
1t had been long engagement, and
when, out of her longing to have Ell
more with her, she had suggested in
indirect ways that she wished they
could have home together, he had
evaded her suggestion.
Not even Gilmore is dearer to me
than you, mother dear, and between
you and him, l can make a quick
choice" Gladys thought to herself.
''But l DON'T don't want to give him
up" her heart told her.
The rest of the afternoon the prob
lem raced back and forth in her mind
1t seemed so logical, the explanation
of ElmOre's action on the basis of
what Ruth had heard. Yet Gladys had
never dreamed that Gilmore had ever
thought of separating them. They
had been so happy together over the
many years.
''If mother knew that such thing
as this was happening it would break
her heart" Gladys warned herself,
"and | must not let hint of it reach
her. / will talk with Gilmore, though"
That evening when her fair-haired,
smiling lover held her in his arms just
before leaving after his visit, she ven
tured to touch upon the subject that
was troubling her.
INt'iS 10 tliNlC 'tlig lNdopli lCtll
reason why we can't have home to-
gether now? l hate to ask you this
way" she said gently, "but want you
Ito be frank with me-"
His gray eyes grew suddenly SOBER
land his manner changed. 'In good
time, sweetheart, in good time. It's
the waiting that bothers, | know, but
wen work it out. Now, you leave it
Ito me-"
She stood in the doorway long after
he had vanished into the fragrant
dusk. He was keeping something
from her, and the swift change in him
when she sought to find out the real
reason for the delay-that was sig
niticant also. There could be Just
one reason-he did not want her moth
er in their home.
Troubled in mind and in heart, she
did not know what to do. But by the
lend of the next day she had reached
her decision; and, alone in her room,
she wrote Gilmore a brief note telling
him what she had heard and inform
lis nm llldJ sic Cpulu UOl DEAR 10
think of leaving her mother or living
apart from her after their long years
of companionship Then, after effort.
she added the sentence that broke
the engagement between them.
AS she slipped down the stairs, her
mother came into the hall.
Gladys, Gilmore telephoned that he
was coming over" her mother said
smiling, her gentle, motherly face
frightened with pleasure.
Gladys stopped short. Mother,
please tell him not to come l really
don't want to see him."
"Why, child, isis there something
wrong?" her mother asked with sud-
den concern.
"NoChing, much, mother mine. Just
,'phone him." Gladys said hastily, Slip
ping out. I'm going to the mail box"
When she returned she stole into
her room, her heart too full to risk
ieven meeting her mother. AS she sat
beside the window she heard Elmore's
voice and her mothers in the garden.
"She is worried, my boy, over
something" her mothers sweet voice
Twas saying.
81 don't blame her. guess we might
as well let her into the secret. The
house is about finished, anyway
lyour rooms are o. X, and Gladys and
i can get along. How'd you like the
lrooms?" Elmore's CHEEKY voice asked.
"Oh, so much. 1t will seem like
Heaven to be with you and Gladys"
And we will be sure glad to have
you! What a family we will make! !"
he broke in gaily. Now I'll hunt up
Gladys. She ought to have come by
this time"
Gladys was athriil with her discov-
cry. She knew now. He had been
building house for them. Her moth
er was in the secret; and it was to
be a surprise. But when he came in
and gathered her in his arms she
made him tell the story over again;
and then she asked: "But didn't you
tell Blake that you didn't know what
to do with mother?'
"Ah! l see-I see what put the
shadows in your brown eyes, Honey"
he said, slowly. "Lsten. Blake Is q
house designer and | said something
like that TO him, because | wasn't sure
how to give your mother some privacy