The Detroit times., 1912-12-14
FRAN

the walk SLOWLY, not knowing what 20
say She waited. outwardly calm, m
wardly gathering power White-hot
action from Fran. when the iron was
10 be welded. Out OF the deepening
shadows her will ieaped keen as q
blade.
She addressed him, Good evening,
Mr. Gregory"
He halted When he spoke, his
tone expressed not only a general dis
approval oil al girls who wander away
from their MONIES in the night, but an
especial repugnance TO one who could
laugh during religious services. DO
you want 90 speak to me. child?
Yes. The word was almost a
whisper. The sound of his voice had
weakened her
What do you want?" He stepped
up on the porch. The moon had van
ished behind the rising masses OF
storm-clouds. not to appear again,
but the light through the glass door
revealed MS poetic features. Flashes
OF lightning as yet faint but rapid in
recurrence. showed his beauty as that
OF young man. Fran remained 81
lent, moved more than she could have
thought possible. He stared intently,
but under that preposterous hat, she
was practically invisible, save as \
black shadow. He asked again, with
growing impotence. What do you
want?"
His unfriendliness gave her the
spur she needed II want home,
she said decidedly.
Hamilton Gregory was seriously dis
turbed However eyil-disposed, the
waif should not be left to wander
aimlessly about the Streets OF the
three hotels in llttleburg. the cheap
est was not overly particular. He
would take her there. do you mean
To tell me" he tenporized, that you
are absolutely alone?"
Frans tone was a little hard. not
because she felt bitter. but lest she
betray TOO great feeling, Absolutely
alone in the world"
He vas sorry for her; at the same
time ne was subject to the reaction
of his exhausting labors as song-lead-
er Then, he said with tired reslG-
nation, If you'll follow me, III take
you where YOU can spend the night,
and tomorrow, I'll try 10 find you
work
Work" She laughed "Oh, thank
you" Her accent was that of repudi-
alton Work indeed.
He drew hack in surprise and dis
pleasure
You didn't understand me-" she re-
sumed. What ! want is a home. |
don't want TO follow you anywhere.
This Is where want TO stay"
You can not stay here ne an
swered With "A slight smile at the pre-
sumptuous request but I'm willing to
pay for a room at the hotel
At this moment, the door was open
ed by the young woman who, some
hours earlier, had responded TO Fran 5
knocking. Footsteps upon the porch
had told of GTegory's return
The lady who was not Mrs. Gregory,
was so pleased TO see the gentleman
VINO was Mr.. GregoTy-they had not
met since the evening meal-that, at
first. she was unaware OF the black
shadow; and Mr. Gregory, in spite OF
mis- perplexity, forgot the shadow also,
so cheered was he by the glimpse OF
his secretary as she stood in the
brightly lighted hall. Such moments
NAL when third person, however
shadow is present; yet had the
world been there, this exchange Oh
chances must have taken place.
Fran did not understand-her very
wisdom blinded her as with too great
light She had seen SO much OF the
world that, on finding tree bearing
apples, she at once classified II as an
apple tree. To Gregory, Grace Noir
was but a charming and conscientious
symplthizer in his life-work, the at
mosphere in which he breathed freest
He had not breathed freely for half
dozen hClirs-no wonder he was glad
to see her. To Grace Noir, Hamilton
Gregory was but benefactor TO man.
kind, a man of lofty ideals whom u
was a privilege 10 aid, and since she
knew that her very eyes gave him
strength. nc wonder she was glad TO
see him,
Could Fran have read their thoughts
she would not have found the slight
est Consciousness Of any shade of evil
in their sympathetic comradeship. A.
she could read only their faces, she
disllked more than ever the tall,
young. and splendidly formed secre.
tary.
oh" said Grace with restraint,
discovering Fran.
Yes" Fran said with her elish
smile, back again.
Just without the portal. Hamilton
Gregory paused irresolutely. Tie dlu
not know what course to pursue. so
he repeated vacantly, II am willing TO
pay
Fran interrupted flippant'y;
have al; the money ] want. Then
she passed swiftly into the hall, rude
" brushing past the secretary
Gregory could only follow. lie
smoke 10 Grace in low voice, telling
all he knew OF the night wanderer.
Her attitude called for explanations.
but he would have given them any
way in that low confidential murmnr.
lie did not know why IL was--or seek
IN knov-but whenever he spoke TO
Grace. Il was natural to use low
tone as ir modulating his touch TO
sensitive strings--as If the harmony
resulting from the interplay OF their
souls called for the soft pedal.
what Is TO be done?' Grace in
ou,red Her attitude OF reserve to-
ward Gregory which Fran's presence
had insured. melted to potential help
f,Incss at the same time her dislike
for the girl solidihed. That Fran
sbould have laughed aloud in the ten',
removed her from the secretary's I'M