The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-12-19
II Want to
Belong to
Somebody"
CHAPTER VII.
(COntinued)


r-T-yes." the other stammered,
looking at her wildly. and passing 4
his agitated hand across his eyes,
as III TO shut out some terrible vision,
yes, IL was-er-fond OF him. .
guess you were," Fran cried
emphatically. You'd have done
anything for him"
Il have this TO say" remarked
Simon Jefferson, that | may not
come up to the mark in all particu-
lars. and | reckon l have my weak
nesses: but wouldn't own a friend
that proved himself the miserable
scoundrel, the weak cur, that this
child's father proved himself"
And | agree with you" declared
Grace. who seldom agreed with him
In anything. How Mr.. Gregory. the
best man she had ever known, could
be fond OF Fran's father, was incom-
prehensible. Ever since Fran had
come knocking at the door. Graces
exalted faith IN Mr.. Gregory had
been perplexed by the foreboding
that he was not altogether what she
had imagined.
Hamilton Gregory felt the change
In her attitude. THAT friend" he
said quickly, was not altogether to
be censured At least, he meant to
do right. He wanted TO do right.
with all the strength OF his nature,
he strove to do right.
Then why didn't he do right?"
snapped Simon Jefferson. "Why
didn't he go back after that young
woman, and take care OF her? Huh?
What was holding him?"
He did go back" exclaimed
Gregory. "Well-not at first, but
afterward He went TO tell his
father, and his father showed him
that II would never do, that the girl
his wife-wasn't OF their sphere,
their life, that he couldn't have
made her happy-that 1t wouldn't
that II Just wouldn't do. For three
years he stayed in the mountains OF
Germany, the most miserable man in
the world But his conscience
wouldn't let him rest 1t told him
he should acknowledge his wife. SO
he went back-but she'd disappeared
he couldn't find her-and he'd
never heard-hed never dreamed OF
the birth OF a-of the-of this girl.
He never knew that he had
daughter. Never!"
well" said Simon Jefferson,
he's dead now, and that's one COM
fort. Good thing he's not alive; I'd
always be aid | might come up
with him and then, afterward. that
| might not get my sentence COM
muted to life-imprisonment."
"Who Is exciting my son?" de-
manded the old lady from her wheel
chair. Simon Jefferson's red face and
starting eyes told plainly that his
spirit was up. There was silence
out OF respect for his weak heart,
but there was a general feeling of
surprise that Gregory should so de-
terminediy defend his friend
after all" said Fran cheerfully,
I'VE are here, and needn't bother
about what's past. My mother
wasn't given her chance. but she's
dead now, blessed soul--and my
father had his chance. but It wasn't
in him to be a man. Let's forget
him as much as we can, and let's
have nothing but sweet and peaceful
thoughts about mother That's all
over, and I'm here to take my chance
with the rest of you. We're the
world. while our day lasts"
what a remarkable child!" muir
INJURED Grace Noir, as they prepared
10 separate Quite philosopher In
short dresses"
"They used to call me prodigy"
murmured Fran, as she obeyed Mrs.
Gregorys gesture inviting her to
follow upstairs.
Now it's stopped raining" Simon
Jefferson complained. as he wheeled
his mother toward the back hall.
That's good omen" said Fran,
pressing Mrs. Gregory's hand "The
moonlight was beautiful when l was
on the bridge-when l first came
here"
But we need rain" said Grace
Noir reprovingly. Her voice was
that OF one familiar with the designs
OF Providence. As usual, she and
Hamilton Gregory were about to be
left alone.
"Who needs it," called the un-
abashed Fran, looking over the ban
listers. 1.-The frogs?"
Life" responded the secretary
somberly.