The Detroit times., 1912-12-12
Il Want to
Belong TO
Somebody"
CHAPTER u
A Knock at the Door.

Fran knocked at the front door. IL
was too dark for-her TO find the bell;
however. had she found IL, she would
have knocked just the same.
At first, no one answered. That was
not surprising, since everybody was
supposed to be at the Union Camp
meeting that had been advertised for
the last two months. OF course IL was
not beyond possibility that some one
might have stayed at home TO Invite
his soul instead OF getting IL saved;
but that any one in Littleburg should
60 visiting at half-past eight. and espe-
cially that any one should come knock
ing AT the door OF this particular
house. was almost incredible.
No doubt that is why the young wo-
man who finally opened the door
after Fran had subjected II TO sec
ond more prolonged visitation OF her
small fst-looked at the stranger with
surprise which was. in itself, reproof.
Standing in the dim light that reach
ed the porch from the hall. Fran's APP
nearance was not above suspicion. She
looked very dark, sharp-faced, and
small Her attitude suggested one
who wanted something and had come
10 ask for it. The lady in the door
way believed herself confronted by a
"camper"--one of those fitting birds
OF outer darkness who have no re-
ligion of their own, but who are al
ways putting that of others 70 the.
proof
The voice from the doorway was
cool, impersonal, as If, By its very
aloofness, 1t would push the wanderer
away: What do you want?"
Il want Hamilton Gregory" Fran
answered promptly, without the slight
est trace OF embarrassment. I'm
told he lives here"
'Mr. Gregory"-offerin the name
with its title as a palpable rebuke-
lives here, but is not at home What
do you want, little girl?"
Where is he?'' Fran asked, I'M
daunted.
At first the young woman was
tempted to close the door upon the
impudent gaze that never faltered in
watching her, but those bright unwav-
ering eyes, cleaning out OF the gloom
OF straw hat and overshadowing hair,
compelled recognition Of some sort
He is at the camp meeting" she
anwered reluctantly irritated at OPP
position, and displeased with herself
for being irritated. What do you
want with him? viii attend to what.
ever II is. am acquainted with all
OF his affairs am his secretary"
Where Is that camp-meeting How
can I find the place." was Fran's
quick rejoinder. She could not ex-
plain the dislike rising within her.
She was too young, herself, to consid-
er the others youth an advantage.
but the beauty of the imperious wo-
man in the doorway-why did II not
stir her admiration?
Mr.. Gregory's secretary reflected
that, despite its seeming improbable
ity, Ii might be important for him TO
see this queer creature who came TO
strange doors at nighttime.
IF you will go straight down that
roadside pointed-"and keep on for
about mile and half, you will come
TO the big tent. Mr.. Gregory will be
III the tent, leading the choir"
"All right" And turning her back
On the door, Fran swiftly gained the
front steps. Halfway down, she
paused, and glanced over her thin
shoulder. Standing thus, nothing was
TO be seen of her but a blurred out
line, and the shining Of her eyes
Il guess" said Fran inscrutably, |!
you're rot Mrs. Gregory"
No" came the answer, with an al |
most perceptible change of man !
ner--a c ange as of gradual petrifac- /
ton, II am not Mrs. Gregory" And /
with that the lady, who was not Mrs. |,
Gregory, quietly but forcibiy closed +
the door.
II was as il, with the closing of that I
door. she would have shut Fran out |
OF her life.