to others the thoughts which carve fine lines about
brow and eyes. She knew that her father was beset by some sort of
financial troubles; for the first time in her life he had not come to
her birthday-party, and her mother had explained, rather soberly, that
it was because of a business crisis. Gloria did not know that crises
lasted so long. Weeks and weeks had gone and still she knew from a look
which her mother could not hide that the money troubles were still
stalking her father, and coming so close that for the first time in
history they cast a shadow from the top of the Sierra down into her
mother's heart in San Francisco.

Now Gratton became the man of the hour. He had studied Gloria with
infinite patience and he never displeased her. "He understood her," as
she comfortingly assured herself. That meant, of course, that he gave in
to her always; that tirelessly he exerted himself to please her. At a
time when there was much financial depression, Gratton's obvious
affluence was very agreeable to the pleasure-seeker. He dressed well; he
entertained with due respect for the most charming accessories; he took
her to dance or theatre, or for a drive in the park or down the
peninsula in a new, elegantly appointed limousine. And about the same
time fate had it that by two entirely unassociated trends of
circumstance he should draw to the dregs of Gloria's lively and romantic
interest. In the first place, he began to become a prominent figure in
San Francisco. His name was in the papers with names of "men who
counted." And, of far greater import to Gloria, he became what she liked
to consider a "Man of Mystery!"

For, weeks ago, Gloria had noted that regularly once a week Mr. Gratton
dropped out of sight, to be gone for one or two days. He was never to be
seen Saturday; seldom Sunday; always any day from Monday to Friday
night. During week-ends he was "out of town." And, though there were
countless opportunities for an off-hand explanation, Gratton never gave
it. Others than Gloria remarked the fact; a girl friend insinuatingly
remarked: "Better watch out for him, Glory, dear. _Cherchez la femme_,
you know."

Gloria never suspected any such condition of affairs; she was too sure
of Gratton's attentions. But, being Gloria, she wondered.

One night she and Gratton were having a late supper together at the
Palace. They had been to the theatre and now, yielding to the demands of
her young appetite, they sat before sandwic