The Washington herald., 1913-03-30

CHAPTER X-Continued.

The chairman of the school board haC
talked confidentially with Grace Noir
and found her as convinced that Fran
was a degenerate as was bob thai
Grace was an angel. As he went &c
the appointment, he Was thinking no,
so much of the culprit Fran, as OF
Grace-what a mouth. what foot! II
all saints were as beautiful as she
- religion would surely be the most pop
ular thing on earth.
In his official character as chairman
of the board. Robert Clinton marched
with dignity into tie superintendent 5
office. meaning TO bear away the wilted
Fran before the eyes OF woman. Alb
bott Ashton saw him enter with d
sense OF relief The young man could
not understand why he had held Fran's
hand. that night on the foot bridge
Not only had the sentiment OF that
hour passed away, but the interview
Fran had forced upon him al the
close of recent school day. had in
spired him with actual hostility. |,
seemed the irony of fate that a mere
child. a stranger. should, because OF
senseless gossip. endanger his chances
of reappolntment-a rcappointmcnt
which he felt certain was the best pos
sible means OF advancement. Why had
he held Fran little hand? He had
never dreamed OF holding Graces-
ah. there was hand. indeed.
Has she been sent down" Bob
asked. in the hoarse undertone OF a
fellow-conspirstor.
No" Abbott was eager to prove his
innocence Il haven't seen sign OF
her. but I'm looking every minute
glad you're here
Condolences were impracticable. be-
cause OF tousled-headed. ink-stalned
pupil who gloomed in corner.
Why. hello there, Jakey! cried
Clinton, disconnected; he had hoped
that Fran's subjugation might take
place without witnesses. What arc YOU
doing here, hey
"Waitin' to be whipped, was the
defiant reJoinder.
Tell the professor you're sorry for
what you've done, so YOU can run
along" said the chairman of the board
persuasively.
Nav, amt sorry.' returned Jakey.
hands in pockets Then bethinking
himsel;I"But | amt done nothin'"
Abbott said rcgrctfuly, Hell have
10 be whipped.
Clinton nodded. and sat dowr. sol
ernly. breathing hard. Abbott was
restlcSsly pacing the floor. and Bob
WAS staring at him unwinkingly, when
the door opened and in came Fran
Abbott frowned heavily. but the
wrinkles in his brow could not mar the
attractivcness OF his handsome young
face He was too fine looking, the
chairman reflected uneasily, for his
duties Hi> figure was too athletic, his
features too suggestive OF arIstocratic
tastes and traditions Clinton wished
he would thrust pen behind his ear.
As for himself, after one brief glance
at Fran. he fumbled for hi, Spectacles.
Fran walked UP to Abbott hcsitat-
ingly, and spoke with the indistinct-
ness OF awcd humility. You arc to
punish me. she explained. by max
ing me work out this original propo-
sintion showing the book-"and you
are to keep me here till get it.
Abbott asked sternly. Did Miss
Bull send me this message:
She is named that" Fran mur-
INJURED, her eyes fastened on the open
page.
From the yard came the shouts of
children. breaking the bonds of learn
ing for wider freedom Abbott, gaz
ing severely on this slip OF girl,
found her decidedly commonplace in
appearance How the moonlight must
have bewitched him Her rcbeliouS
hair hung over her face like a shaggy
mane-what small creature to be
dressed as woman, and how ridicu
lous that the skirts should reach even
10 her ankles. II had not been SO.
on the night OF destiny. He preferred
the shorter dress, but neither she nor
her attire was anything to him. He
reioiced that Robert Clinton was there
to witness his indifference.
This is the problem, Fran said.
with exceeding primnesS, pronouncing
the word as if it were too large for
her. and holding up the book with a
slender finger placed upon certain
italicized words
Let ME see it" said Abbott. with
professional dryness. He graspcd the
book to read the proposition. His
hand was against hers. but she did not
draw away. for had she done so. how
could he have found the place?
Fran, with uplifted eyes, spoke in
the plaintive accents of a fve-year-
old child: Right there, sir it's
awful hard
Robert Clinton cleared his throat
and produced sound bursting with
accumulated his and r's-his warning
passed unheeded.
Never before had Abbott had so
much of Fran. The capillaries of his
skin, as her hand quivered warmly
against his, seemed drawing her in;
and as she escaped from her splendid
black orbs. she entered his brain by
What was the use to tell himself that
she was commonplace. that his po-
sition was in danger because of her.
Suddenly her hair no longer reminded
him OF the flying name of a Shetland
pony; it fell slantwise past the cor
nerS of her eyes. making a triangle
Of smooth white skin to the roots of
the hair. and it seemed good, just be-
cause it was Fran's way and not after
a machine-turned fashion; Fran was
done by hand, there was no doubt of
that.
Sit there" Abbott said, gravely
pointing. She obeyed without word
leaving the geometry as hostage in
the teachers hand. When seated at "a
discreet distance, she looked over at
Bob Clinton. He hastily drew on his
spectacles, that he might look old.
Abbott volunteered. This is Mr.
Clinton. president of the board
Il know" said Fran. staring at her
pencil and paper. hes at the head