The Detroit times., 1912-12-21

search. Fate seemed to thrust her
between his eyes and the pages OF
his textbooks. At church, which he
attended regularly, Grace was always
present. and TO gaze at her angelic
face was, in Itself. almost a religious
exercise. Abbott never felt SO UNI
worthy as when in her presence; an
unerring instinct seemed TO have pro-
yided her with an absolute standard
or right and wrong, and she was so
Invariably right that no human affec-
ton was worthy of her unless refined
seven times. Within himself, Abbot,
discovered dross.
Try 10 be a good girl, Fran, ne
lcounseled BE good and your associ-
alton with Hiss Ncir will prove the
happiest experience OF your life
BE good. she returned mockingly,
land you will be Miss Noir" Then
she twisted her mouth she makes
me feel Ike tearing up things. /
don't like her. | hoped you'd be on
my side"
He came down the steps gravely
She is my friend
I'm a good deal like you Fran
declared, following. 81 can like most
anything and anybody; but | can't so
that far. Well, don't like Miss Noir
and she doesn't like me-isn't that
fair?"
f., Examine yourself" he advised,
and find out what it is in you that
she doesn't like; then get rid of what
you find
Huh" Fran exclaimed, I'm going
| to get rid Of her, ali right
| He saw the old elflsh Smile now
when he least wanted to see it, for it
/ threatened the secretary Knocked the
grave superintendent. and asserted
the girls right IL like whom size
pleased Selfrespect and loyalty 20
Grace FASTENED Abbotts departure,
! ewing the spirit OF mockery to escape
! the janitor's broom as best ii might.
Fran, escaped, recogL izing defeat;
but on her homeward way she was
already preparing herself for the next
move. So intent was she in estimat-
! ing the forces on both sides. that she
gave no heed 10 the watchful faces at
cottage windows. she did not recog-
nize the infrequent passers-by, nor
observe the occasional buggies that
creaked along the ruttad road With
Grace stood. OF course, Hamilton
llOIu DOD Nyllll-
tons regular visits, and his particular
attentions TO Grace Fran classed him
also as a victim OF the enemy. II
now seemed that Abbott Ashton fol.
lowed the flag Noir; and behind these
three leaders, massed the Congresa-
tion OF Walnut Street church, and pre-.
sumably the town OF Littleburg
Fran could count for her support
h1l@ "a
and an old lady with an ear-trumpei.
The odds were terribly against her.
Absolutely neutral stood the one
most vitality concerned in the strug-
gle about Ito take place. Like the
king OF chess-board, Mrs. Gregory
was resolved, ii would appear 20 take
not even the one step within royal
prerogative. Fran wondered, her brow
Creasfng in bafffed- pefPles4++sr,- IL
ever occurred TO Mrs. Gregory that
ker husband might, say at some far.
far distant day, grow too much liz
terested in his secretary? Did the
wife perceive his present rate of In
terest, and fancy, at that rate, that
he might not reach point beyond
prudence? Surely she must realize
that, in the family economy, the sec
rotary might be spared; but II 50,
she made no sign.
The first light skirmish between
Fran and Grace took place Oh Sunday.
All the Gregory household were at a
late breakfast Sunday school bells
were ringing their first call, and there
was not a cloud in the heavens as big
as a mans hand, to furnish excuse
for non-attendance.
The secretary fred the first shot.
Apropos OF nothing that had gone be-
fore, but as II Ii were an integral part
OF the conversation, she offered
And, Mrs. Gregory it is SO nice that
you can 20 TO church now, since, Il
Fran doesn't want TO go. herself
which she doesn't, herself" Fran
interjected.
80 presumed" Grace remarked
significantly Mrs. Gregory. Fran
can stay with your mother-since she
doesn't care for church-and you can
attend services as you did when frs
came TO Littleburg."
Il am sure" Mrs. Gregory said :,
quietly that it would be much bet
ter for Fran TO go TO church She
ought to go-I don't like TO think OF
her staying away from the services
and my duty is with mother
Grace said nothing. but the express
sion OF her mouth seemed TO cry
aloud. Duty, indeed! What did Mrs,
Gregory know about duty. neglectlng
the God who had made her, TO stay
with an old lady who ought to be
wheeled TO church, Mrs. Gregory
was willing for her husband TO fight
his Christian warfare alone. Bu'
'alone? No, not while Grace could go
with him. II all the rest OF Walnut
Street church should remain in tents
OF Indifference, she and Hamilton
Gregory would be found on the field
Gregory coldly addressed Fran:
Then. will you 90 To church, H.
was as If he complained, Since my
wife won't"
II might laugh I" said Fran II don't
understand religion"
Grace felt her purest ideals insult
ed She rose, little pale. but with
out rudeness "Will YOU please ex-
cuse me?"- she asked with admirable
restraint.
Miss Grace" Hamilton Gregor. ex
claimed. distressed That she should
he driven from his table by an insult
to their religion was intolerable. Miss
her"
(continued.)