The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-11-15

|
Fran left the disconsolate young
man in wild precipitation, and flew
INTO the house. He turned off in an
other direction, and Gregory and Grace
came slowly toward the house. having,
without much difficulty, eliminated
Simon Jefferson from their company.
In truth, Simon, rather than be i'm
proved by their conversation. had
! Owed down a back alley, and found
! entrance through the side door When
| Hamilton Gregory and his secretary
| came into the reception hall, the old
bachelor lay upon divan thinking of
his weak heart-Fran's flight from
the choir loft had reminded him of it
and Mrs. Jefferson was tanning him,
as II he were never to be a grown
man. Mrs. Gregory sat near the
group, silently embroidering in white
silk. Fran had hastily thrown herself
upon the stairway, and, with half
closed eyes, looked as ii she had been
there long time.
Fran" said Mrs. Gregory coldlv
were two-thirds done. OF course I
could hardly expect you"-he looked
at his wife-"to stay, although your
presence would certainly have kent
Fran there; and it does look as if
we should be willing to resort to any
expedient to keep her there,"
How would a lock and chain doe"
Fran inquired meekly.
i 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
just about what | expect. Yes, came
straight home. I'm glad it's your bust
ness, so you could ask"
Hamilton Gregory turned to his
wife again. with restraint more
marked. Next Sunday is roll-call day.
Mrs. Gregory. The board has decided
to revise the lists. We've been carry
ing so many names that it's a burden
to the church. The world reproaches |
us, saying, Isn't So-and-so a member? |
He never attends, does he? do |
hope you will go next Sunday"
Mrs. Gregory looked down at her
work thoughtfully, then said. Mother
would be left"
It's just this way" her husband in
terposed abruptly: IF no excuses, such
as sickness, are sent, and if the people
haven't been coming for months. and
don't intend coming, we are simply
determined to drop the names-strike
EN- out. We believe church members
should show where they stand. And
and if you"
Mrs. Gregory looked up quietly.
Her voice seemed woven of the silk
threads she was stitching in the white
pattern. IF | am not a member of
he church, sitting an hour in the
couldn't make me one."
Simon Jefferson cried out. "Is that
ny sister Lucy? Blessed if | thought
The had so much spirit"
DO you call that spirit?" returned
gregory, with displeasure.
WE'LL" snorted Simon, what do
'ou call it. them"
Perhaps" responded Gregory. with
marked disapprobation, perhaps 1t f.
vas spirit" ,
Grace, still attired for the street. !
ooked down upon Mrs. Gregory as if
urned to stone. Her beautiful face
something like a horror at
he others irreverence. I
Fran shook back her hair. and .
watched with cleaning eyes from be- s
lind the Stats, not unlike a small t
Wild creature peering from it's cage. |
Oh" cried Fran, Miss Noir feels t
o bad!"
Grace swept from the hall, her {
ounded figure instinct with the suffer 2
ngs of martyr ;
Fran murmured, THAT killed hort" ,
And you'll" cried Gregory, turning i
uddenly In blind anger upon the /
ther-"you don't care whose heart :
GU break" !
Il haven't any power over hearts
etorted Fran, gripping her fingers till Z
er hands were little white balls. "Oh. v
| only had! I'd get at 'em If I
Ould-like this =" I
She leaped to her feet. n
Am ! always to be defied by Won" a
exclaimed; rs there to be no end 7
1t? But suppose | put an end to a
oo~oo.11.--