The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-12-17
ByJOHN BRECKENRIDGE ELLIS

room FOR safety found IN iran pres
ence something as startling, and as
incomprehensible. as the most VIVID
lightning.
OF the group, 1t was the secretary
who first claimed Fran's attention. In
a way, Grace Noir dominated the
place. Perhaps 1t was because OF her
splendidly developed body, her beau
ty. her attitude OF unclaimed yet
recognized authority, that she stood
distinctly first.
AS for Mrs. Gregory, her mild aloof-
ness suggested that she hardly be-
l)nged TO the family. Hamilton Greg
DRY found himself instinctiyely turn
ing to Grace, rather than to his wife.
Mrs. Gregory's face did, Indeed, ask
why Fran was there; but Grace,
standing at the foot OF the stairs, and
looking at Gregory with memory OF
her recent dismissal. demanded ex-
plantations.
Mrs. Gregory's mother, confined by
paralysis 10 a wheelchair, fastened
upon the newcomer eyes whose
brightness 40 years or more had not
dimmed. The group was completed
by Mrs. Gregory's bachelor brothes
older than his sister by 10 years. This
brother, Simon Jefferson, though
stockily built and evidently well-fed.
wore an air OF lassitude, as II peren-
.nially tired. AS he. leaned back III
hall chair. he seemed the only one
present VITO did not care why Fran
was there.
Gregory broke the silence by clear.
ing his throat with evident embar-
rassment A peal OF thunder Offered
him reprieve, and after its reverbera-
lions had died away, he still hesitated.
This" he said presently, is a-the
orphan-an erphan-one who mas
come TO me from She says her name
is Frances"
Fran" came the abrupt correction;
Just Fran"
There was a general feeling that
an orphan should speak less positive
ly, even about her own name-should
be, as 1t were, subdued from the mere
fact OF orphanhood
AN orphan." Simon jefferson
calculated, moving restlessly In his
effort to find the easiest corner OF his
chair. Il hope nothing 1t going to
excite me. | have heart-disease, little
girl, and I'm liable to topple off at ANY
moment. | tell you, | must not be
excited"
Il don't think" replied Fran, with
cheerful interest in her malady, that
orphans are very exciting.
Hamilton Gregory resumed, cautious
ly stepping over dangerous ground,
while the others looked at Fran, and
Grace never ceased to look at him.
She came here tonight, after the ser
vices at the Big Tent. She came here
and. or / should say. to request. to
Grace saw her when sle
came. Miss Grace knew Of her being
here" He seized upon this fact as II
TO lift himself over pitfalls.
Grace's eyes were gravely judicial
She would not condemn him unheard,
but at the same time she let him sec
that her knowledge OF Fran would not
help his case. IL did not surprise Mrs.
Gregory that Grace had known OF toe
strange presence; the secretary usual
liz knew OF events before the rest OF
the family
Gregory continued, delicately pick
ing his way: but the child ASKED
to see me alone, because she had
special message-a--yes, message
to deliver to me. So | as ed Miss
Grace 10 leave US for lalf an hour.
Then | heard the girls story, while
Miss Grace waited upstairs"
Well Simon Jefferson interposed
Miss Grace is accounted
for Go on. brother-inlaw, go on, ii
we must have it."
1.-The fact is, Lucy I" Gregory at
this point turned to his wile-for at
certain odd moments he found real
relief in doing so-'the fact is-the
fact is, this girl Is the--er--daughter
of-of a very old friend Of mine a
friend who was-was friend years
ago, long before | moved to Littleburg
long before | saw you, Lucy. That
was when my home was in New York,
| have told you all about that time OF
my youth, when lived with my father
In New York. Well, before my father
died, was acquainted with-this
friend. / owed that person a great
debt. not of money! debt of-what
shall say"
Fran suggested, Honor"
Gregory mopped his brow while all
looked from Fran to him. He resum-
ed desperately: II owed a great debt
to that friend-oh, not of money, or
debt which circumstances
me from paying-from
still owe to the
memory of that--er-of that dead
friend The friend is dead, you UNDER
stand, yes, dead"
Mrs. Gregory could not understand
her usbard's unaccustoned hest
fancy. She inquired or Fran. And
is your mother dead, too, little girl?'
That simple question, innocently
preferred directed the course OF
future events. Mr.. Gregory had not
spoken OF his friend in
such a way as TO throw doubt upon
the sex Now that he realized how
his wife's misunderstanding might
save him, he had not the courage TO
her.
Fran waited for him to speak. The
delay had lost him the power TO re-
veal the truth. Would Fran betiay
him? He wished that the thunder
might drown out the sound of her
words, but the storm seemed holding
its breath to listen.
Fran said quietly. My mother died
three years ago
Mrs bGTeGory asked her husband
Did YOU ever tell me about tpIs
friend? I'd remember from his name
what was it?'
II seemed impossible for him to "
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