The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-12-28

CHAPTER XIII.
(Contlnued.)

luhl the very next Time you lhli hiNO
her hands. you'll be at her mercy. IL
] told you scheme I've been devising,
she'd take II from you in broad day
| light. She can always prove she's
right, because she has the verse :or
I it--and to deny her is TO deny inspir-
alton. And II she had her way-she
thinks I'm a sort OF dissipation -
there'd be national prohibition Of
Fran"
If there were national prohibi-
ton OF Fran, I'd be the first To snug
gle you in somehow. little Nonpareil.
il do believe that Miss Grace Is che
most conscientious person | ever
knew, except Mr.. Gregory. Just the
same, I'm your friend. Isn't II some
thing for me TO nave taken you on
trust as | have, from the very begin
ning?"
His brown eyes we're SO earnest
that Fran stepped into the shadow.
Its more than something. Abbott
Your trust is about all have. It's
just like me to be wanting more than
| have. I'm going to confide in you
my scheme. Let's talk it over III
whispers" They put their heads to-
gether. Tomorrow, Grace Noir is
going TO the city with Bob Clinton TO
select music for the choir-he doesnt
know any more about music than
poor Uncle lobe Fuller but you see,
he's still alive. 1t will be the frat
day she's been off the place since
came While she's away, / mean TO
make my grand effort"
'SAtrwhat, little Wonder
sat driving her away for good I'm
going to OFFER myself as secretary,
and with her out OF sight, I'm hoping
20 win the day"
But she's been his secretary for
Ave years-is 1t reasonable he'd give
her up? And would 1t be honorable
for you to work against her In that
way? Besides, Fran, she Is really
necessary to Mr.. Gregory's great
charity enterprises"
THE more reason for getting rid
of her"
Il don't understand how you mean
that l know Mr.. Gregory's work
would be seriously crippled. And 1t
would be a great blow to Walnut-st.
church-she's always there"
still, you see she can't stay"
mo | don't see. You and MISS
Grace must be reconciled."
"Oh, Abbott, can't you understand,
or is 1t that you just won't? II isn't
on my account that Miss Noir must
leave this house. Shes going to bring
! trouble-she's alreadys done 1t. I've
| had lots Of experience. and wheel
see people hurrying down hill, ex-
pect to find them at the bottom not
because it's In the people, but because
it's In the direction. don't care nov
lno-account folks are, IL they keep dog
gedly climbing up out of the valley
Just give 'em time, and they'll reach
the mountain-top. believe some
mighty good-intentioned men are
stumbling down hill, carrying their
religion right into he'll"
Hush, little friend. You don't un-
derstand what religion Is"
III can't find out from its fruits
don't want to know"
cor course. But consider how Miss
Grace's labors are blessing the help
less"
Abbott, unless the fruits OF re
ligion are favored b. love, they're
no more account than apples taken
with bitter-rot-not worth 90 cents
barrel. The trouble with good deal
of the church-fruit Today is bitter
rot"
Abbott asked slyly, What about
vour fruit out there In the world"
"Oh." Fran confessed, with CLEAN.
we're not in the orchard business at
all. out here"
Abbott laid his hand earnestly upon
her arm. Fran. Come in aud help
us spray"
You dear old prosy, preachy pro-
fessor!" she exclaimed anectionateiy,
81 have been thinking OF 1t. I've haii
a mind to try, really. Wouldn't Grace
Noir just die? Loru'
there she comes, now"
Fran left the dibconsolate young
man in wild precipitation, and few
into the house. He wondered IL sne
had been seen standing there, and
he realized that, IL SO, the puresi
motives could not outweigh appear
ances. He turned off In another dlrcc-
ton, and Gregory and Grace came
slowly toward the house. having, win
out much difficulty, eliminated SIN on
Jefferson from their company.
In truth, Simon, rather thar be I'M
proved by their conversation had
diyed down back alley, ana tounu
entrance through the side door. When
Hamilton Gregory and his secretary
came into the reception hail. the old
bachelor lay upon d Givan thlnkins or
his weak heart--Fran's flight from
the choir loft had reminded him OF II
and Mrs. Jefferson was tanning him,
"a il he were never 20 be a grown
man. Mrs. Gregory sat near the
group, silently embroiGering In waite
silk. Fran had hastily thrown her
self upon the stairway, ard, with
half.closed eyes. looked as II she had
been there long time.
Fran" said Mr.. Gregory coldly,
you left the choir practice before
we we're two-thirds done. OF course,
I could hardly expect you" he look
ed at his wife to stay, although
your presence would certainly have
kept Fran there; and It does look as
III we should be willing TO resort to
any expedient to keep her there"
How would lock and chain do?"
Fran inquired meekly.
Il don't think she came straight
home. either" remarked Grace Noir
significantly. Did you, Franz"
Miss Noir," said Fran, smiling at
her through the banister-slats, you
are so satisfactory; you always say
lust about what expect. Yes,
came straight home. I'm glad it's