The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-12-13
By
John
Breckenridge
Ellis.

hairencircled oval was the light of
selfish mockeIy. but OF no human JOY.
school superintendent do not en-
10y being mystifed Really" Abbott
Edcclarcd abruptly, Il mnst go back TO
the meeting
Fran had heard enough about his
leaving her. She decided TO stop that
once and for all. IF you 20 back, /
So tool" she said conclusively. She
gave him look to show that she
meant Il. then became all humility
Please don't be cross with little
Nonpafeil." she coaxed. please don't
want 70 60 back to that meeting.
Please don't want to leave me. You
are so learned and old and so strong
you don't care why little girl
laughs
Fran tilted her head sidewise. and
the glance OF her eyes proved lrreslst,
ible. But tell me about Mr.. Gregory
she pleaded, and don't mind my
ways. Ever since mother died, I've
found nothing In this world bot love
that was for somebody else, and
trouble that was for me-
The pathetic cadence of the slender
throated tones moved Abbott more
than he cared to show.
III you're In trouble" he exclaimed,
you've sought the right helper In Mr.,
Gregory. He's the richest man In the
county, yet lives 80 simply, SO frugaily
--they keep few servants--and all be-
cause he wants to do good gith his
money"
Il guess his secretary is consider
able help to him." Fran observed.
Il don't know how he'd carry on
his great work without her. think
Mr.. Gregory Is one of the best men
that ever lived"
Fran asked with simplicity. Great
church worker?'
Hes As good as he is rich. He
the time to IL that he does--to the
TO hold, one day. a chair at Yale or
Harvard-that means to teach In q
university" he. broke OF, In en-
PLANTATION.
Fran held out her swinging foot,
and examined the dusty shoe. Oh
she said in relieved tone, Il was
afraid 1t meant to sit down all the
time. Lots OF people are ambitious
not 70 move IL they can help IT,"
He looked at her little uncertain
'ly, then went on so 1t keeps me
studying hard, TO At myself for the
future. hope to be reelected super
intendent IN Littleburg again next
year--thls IS my first term-there Is
so much time TO study, In Iittleburg.
After next year, I'll try for something
bigger, just keep working my way up
and up"
He had not mean to tell her about
himself, but Fran's manner of lifting
her head to look at him. as he nm
lshed each phrase, had beguiled him
to the next. The applause In her eyes
warmed his heart.
You see," said Abbott with a de-
predatory smile, Il want 20 make my
self felt in the world"
Fran's eyes shone with an unspoken
''Hurrah!" and az he met her gaze,
he felt thrill OF pleasure from the
impression that he was what she
wanted him to be.
Fran allowed his soul to battle
while in divine eye-beams OF hattering
approval, then gave him q little isting
TO bring him to life. You are pretty
old. not to be married" she remarked.
Il hope you won't And some woman
to put an end to your high intentions,
but men generally do. Men fall In
love, and when they finally pull them
selves out, they've lost sight OF the
shore they were headed for"
A slight color stole to Abbott's face.
In fact, he was rather hard hit. This
wandering child was no doubt =
witch. He looked In the direction OF
the tent, as II to escape the weaving
OF her magic. But he only said, That
unds--er--practical
Yes said Fran. wondering VINO
.the woman was, III you can't be
practical, there's no use to be. Well
1 can see you now, at the head OF
some university--youll make 1t, be-
cause you're so much like me. Why,
when they first began teaching me TO
feed Good gracious! What am !
talking about" She hurried on, as
II to cover her confusion. But !
haven't got as far in books as you
have. so I'm not religious
Books aren't religion" he remon-
strated, then added with unnecessary
gentleness. Little Nonpareil! What
an ideal"
A (continued.)