The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-09-20

storm caused hurried movements
throughout the house. Binding flashes
Of lightning suggested a gathering OF
the family in the reception hall, where.
according to tradition, there was less
DANGER" and as the unknown lady
opened the door of the front room.
Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs.
and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir
descending.
The lady closed the door behind her
before she perceived Fran, so intent
was she upon securing from threaten
ing rain some unfinished silk-work
lying on the window-sill. She paused
abruptly, her honest brown eyes
opened wide.
The perspiration shone on Hamilton
Gregory's forehead. Just moment
he uttered wait-Ill be
back when / make sure my library
windows closed. :" He left the
room, his brain in an agony Of indie
cision. How much must be told? And
how would they regard him after the
telling?
who are your" asked the lady OF
thirty-fiye, mildly, but with gathering
wonder.
The answer came, with a broken
laugh, Il am Fran" 1t was spoken
little defiantly, little menacingly. as
il the tired spirit was bracing itself
for battle.
The lady wore her wavy hair part
| ed In the middle after that fashion
which perhaps was never new; and no
impudent ribbon or arrogant flounce
stole ones attention from the mouth
that was just sincere and sweet. 1t
was a face one wanted to look at be-
cause-well, Fran didn't know why.
She's no prettier than l." was Fran's
decision, measuring from the natural
standard-the standard every woman
hides in her own breast.
And who is Franz" asked the mild
voice. The lady smiled SO tenderly.
It was like a mellow light stealth G
from a fairy rose-garden of thornless
souls.
Fran caught her breath while her
|
the other. She felt something like
holy wrath as her presentment sound
ed forth protestingly-"But who are
you?"
81 am Mrs. Gregory"
"Oh, no." cried Fran, with violence,
mol" She added rather wildly, 1T
can't bel mean-but say you are
not Mrs. Gregory"
81 am Mrs. Gregory" the other re-
peated, mystified.
Fran tried to hide her emotion with
a smile, but it would have been easier
for her to cry, Just because she of the
patient brown eyes was Mrs. Gregory.
At that moment Hamilton Gregory
re-entered the room. brought back by
the fear that Fran might tell all dur
ing his absence. How different life
would have been IL he could have
found her fiown!-but he read in her
face no promise of departure.
His wife was not surprised at his
haggard face, for he was always work
ing too hard, worrying over his extern.
sive charities, planning editorials for
his philanthropic Journal. devising
means to better the condition Of the
local church. But the presence Of this
stranger-doubtless one Of his count
less objects of charity-demanded ex
PLANTATION.
Come" he said bruskly, addressing
neither directly, I'VE needn't stop here
have some explanations to make. and
they might as well be made before
everybody. once and for all. >
He paused wretchedly. seeing no out
look, no possible escape. Something
must be told-not lie. but possibly
not all the truth; that would rest with
Fran. He was as much in her power
as IL she, herself, had been the effect
of his sin.
He opened the door, and walked
with a heavy step into the hall. Mrs
Gregory followed, wondering, looking
rather at Fran than at her husband
Fran's keen eyes searched the apart
ment for the actual source of Hamil
. ton Gregory's acutest regrets.
Yes, there stood the secretary.
CHAPTER VII.