The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-12-20

cut-glass paragon, your religion-stuffeC
pillow that calls itself a man"
Fran afraid? That's a Joke. | tel
you, she's thinking only of Mr. Greg
Dry"
I'm sorry for Mrs. Gregory" Rob
ert allowed, but Grace Noir is more
TO me than any other woman on earth
You don't see the point When think
OF a girl like Grace Noir living under
the same roof with that-that-"
Mr.. Grego..." ,bbott supplied
And she so pL e, so high. so much
above US. IL makes me crazy.
And all the time she's been breathing
the same air, she's thought him a
Moses in the Wilderness, and US moth
ing but the sticks. Think of her be-
liev!Eg in that jelly pulp. that steel
engraving in a Family Bible! No.
mean to open her eyes, and get her
out of his spiders web"
Il see your point of view"
You do if you have eyes. Think
OF that perfect angel-but just say
Grace Noir and you've called all the
virtues. And her in his housed"
You still believe in angels?" in
quired Abbott gravely.
zap; and devils with long sort-of-
curly hair. and pretty womanish faces,
and voices like molasses"
But Fran wants Mrs. Gregory
spared"
Abbott. when think of Grace Noir
spending one more night under the
roof of that burrowing mole, that croc-
odile with tears in his eyes and the
rest of MIN nothing but bone and
gristle-"
Bob, if | assure you that Miss
Noir will never spend another day
under his roof, will you agree to
keep this discovery to YOURSELF"
You can't make no such assurance.
II she amt put wise to what branch
Of the animal kingdom he twigs to,
she'll not leave his roof"
Bob, if she leaves that house in the
for ever, won't you agree to
silence, for Mrs. Gregory's sake-and
because Fran asks it?"
"Fran's another angel, bless her |
heart! But you can't work it,"
Leave it to me. Bob. I'll be guided
by the spur of the moment"
Il need bookkeeper at my store"
Robert said, Illuminating.
IL promise you that Miss Noir will
oon be open to Offers"
See here, Abbott, | can't afford to
ose any chances on this thing. I'm
,oing to see the feathers fly. No-I
ont want Mrs. Gregory to learn about
I, any more than you or Fran: but
IL limit the thing to Grace"
sShe'd tell Mrs. Gregory"
Don't you say anything against
race Noir, Abbott. for though you are
ny friend"
i say nothing against her; | say
My that she's a woman"
We'll" Clinton reluctantly agreed.
reckon she is. I'll tell you what
ii do. I'll go with you into that
offs den, and I'll let you do all the
liking; and if you can manage things ,
half an hour-just thirty minutes ,
my watch-so that Grace leaves
lere tomorrow, I'll leave you to steer ,
lings. and it's mum for keeps But .
m going to be present, though I
ont want to say one word to that
if he don't crawl out of his ,
DOL far enough to suit the purpose. ,
short, if he don't cave, and in half .
] hour"
Half an hour will do the business. r
I'D Abbott stoutly. ,"Come!"
BE sure to call for Mr.. Gregory nv .
mself." said Robert, as they walked =
Witty back to the Gregory residence r
I Grace comes into the room while .
ere talking, or Mrs. Gregory" h
IF they do" Abbott said uuickIv
'ou are not to utter one word NOT :.
lie. about Springfield-you under.
and? It's bargain, and shall hold :,
III to your word of honor"
For half an hour | won't saw q
ord" Clinton declared, unless It's
me word just drawn out of nv no. VI
m by the sight of that villain q
,me!" .
CHAPTER XvIu