The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-12-26
By
John
Breckenridge
Ellis.


Fran's eyes, found the cause of the
odd smile, and beekoned TO Abbott.
Hamilton Gregory. following Grace 5
glance-for he saw no one but her
at the practices. since she inspired
him with deepest fervor-felt sud
denly as IL he had lost something;
he had often experienced the same
sensation on seeing Grace approach
ed by some unattached. gentleman.
Grace motioned 10 Abbott 10 sit
beside her, with a concentration or
attention that showed her purpose
OF reaching a definite goal unsus-
pected by the other. On account OF
the solo. there were the briefest OF
whispered greetings TO Mrs. Gregory,
and merely a wave TO old Mrs Jet-
ferson.
I'm so glad Fran has taken q
place I'm the choir" Abbott whisper
ed to Grace. And look at Simon
Jefferson-who'd have thought it,
Grace looked al Simon Jefferson;
she also looked at Fran. but her
compressed lips and reproving eye
expressed none OF Abbott's gladness.
4
am so glad you are here, Professor
Ashton, for I'm in trouble. and |
can't decide which way II is my duty
to turn. VIII you help me? am
going to trust you-it Is matter
relating TO Mr. Gregory"
Abbott was pleased that she
should think him competent TO adj
wise her respecting her duty; at the
same time he regretted that her con-
! fdence related to Mr.. Gregory. II
came vaguely TO his mind that II
was always like that-which was
natural, though, since he was her
Employer.
Professor Ashton" she said soft
lily. does my position as hired secre-
tary to Mr.. Gregory carry with II
the obligation to warn him of any
misconduct in his household"
The solo was dying away. and,
sweet and low, II fell from heaven
like mama upon his soul. blending
ldivinely with the secretary's voice.
Her expression "hired" sounded like
a tragic note-to think or one so
beautiful. so meek, so surrounded by
mellow hymn-notes, being hired He
had lost the vision of his career In
mists OF an attenuated Grace Noir.
AS the material skirts OF the spirit
ual Grace Noir brushed his leg, II
was as II, for a moment. his veins
ran muslin and pink ribbons.
You hesitate TO advise me. before
YOU know ALL" she said. and you
are right. In a moment the choir
will be singing louder, and we can
all talk together. Mrs. Gregory
should be consulted, too"
Grace. conscious of doing all that
one could in consulting Mrs. Gregory.
too" looked toward the choir loft.
and smiled into Hamilton Gregory's
eyes. How his baton, Inspired oy
that smile, cut magic runes In the
air, An anthem rose buoyantly'
covering the ensuing conversation
with its mantle OF sound.
MRS. Gregory" Grace said In a
low voice. "I suppose Professor Ash
ton Is so surprised at seeing you In
ehurch--it has been more than hye
months. hasn't II? 49,. that
RIM afraid he isn't thinking about
what I'm saying" She paused as IL
TO ask why the other was there
AZ II she were an interloper. who.
having by absence forfeited her
rights, now came in her arrogance 10
claim them. Not only Grace's tone,
but her very attitude seemed to ask.
why is this woman here?"
Mrs. Gregory could not help feel
Ing I'm the way, because her husband
seemed to share Grace's feeling. In
stfnctively she turned 10 her mother
and laid her hand on the invalid's
arm.
They amt bothering me, Lucy"
said the old lady, alertly. Il can't
hear their noise. and when shut
NV eyes I can't see their motions"
"I have something to tell you
both" Grace said solemnly. Last
night, couldn't sleep. and that
made me sensitive to noises.
thought / heard some one slipping
from the house Just as the clock
struck half-past eleven. 1t seemed
incredible. for ! knew II IT were any
one. II was that Fran. and didn't
think even she would do that
II was as II Abbott had suddenly
raised a window in a raw wind.
His temperature descended The
others manner Of saying That
Franz" obscured his glass Of the
future.
Mrs. Gregory said quickly, Fran
leave the house at half-past eleven?
impossible
Grace smiled unpleasantly. Be-
IIieving Fran, possibly an impostor.
certainly a disturbing element, II
was her duty TO drive her from her
employers house; but however pure
and noble her disapproval, Grace
could not speak OF the orphan with
out a tone or look suggesting mere
spite.
How do you know" Abbott ask
ed, that Fran left the house at such
time OF the night?" The question
was unfair since 1t suggested denial,
but his feeling for Fran seemed to
call for unfairness TO Grace.
81 will tell you" Grace responded,
with the distinctness OF one In pow
er. "At the time, told myself that
even Fran would not do that. But.
long time afterward, ] heard an
other sound, from the yard. | went
TO my window. | looked out. The
moon was bright. but there was a
very dark shadow about the front
gate. heard voices. One was that