The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-09-20
tCopyrishi. iyil soS6s. NerTsii Co.

Il know 1t was wrong for him to de-
sert his wife," ...
"Wrong!" How inadequate seemed
that word from her pure lips!
But" he faltered, I'VE must make
allowances. My friend married Fran's
mother In secret because she was ut
terly woridly--frivolous--a butterfly.
Her own uncle was unable to control
her-to make her go to church. Soon
after the marriage he found out his
mistake--it broke his heart, the trag-
edy OF It. I don't excuse him for go
Ing away to Europe" ~.
II am glad you don't. He was no
true man. but weakling am glad
i have never been thrown with such
"A degenerate" p- .-,. .,,.
"But. Miss Grace" he urged plead
ingly, do you think my friend, when
he went back to find her and she was
gone-do you think he should have
kept on huntingt DO you think. Grace,
that he should have remained yoked
to IN unbeliever, after he realized his
fo.iyf" .. , .-.. d..
There was heavenly compassion In
her eyes. for suddenly she had di.
vined his purpose In defending Fran's
father. He was thinking Of his own
wife. and OF his wife's mother and
brother-how they had ceased to show
sympathy In what he regarded rs the
essentials Of life. Her silence suggest.
Cd that as she could not speak without
casting reflection npon Mrs. Gregory,
she would say nothing, and this tact
was grateful to his grieved heart
Il have been thinking Of something
very strange" Grace said. with q
marked effort to avoid the issue lest
she commit the iindiscretion OF blam-
Ing her employers wife. "T remem.
Der having heard you say that when
You were q young man, you left your
fathers home to live with q cousin In
distant town who happened to be
teacher In q college. and tiat you were
graduated from his college. Don't you
think It marvellous. this claim OF Fran,
who says That her father, when a
young man. went 70 live with q cousin
who Was q college professor. and that
he was graduated from that college?
And che says that her fathers father
was = ricn man--just as yours was
and that the cousin Is dead-just as
yours Is"
At these piercing words, Gregory
bowed his head TO conceal his agita-
tion. Could II be possible that she
had guessed all and yet. In spite of all.
could use that tone OF kindness? II
burst upon him that II he and she
could hold this fatal secret In common,
they might. In sweetest comradeship,
form an alliance against fate itself.
She persisted: The account that
Fran gives Of her father Is really your
own history. What does that show?"
He spoke almost In whisper. "My
friend and I were much alike" Then
he looked up swiftly to catch a look
OF comprehension by surprise. IL such
q look were there.
Grace smiled coolly. "But hardly
Identical. I presume. Don't you see
that Fran has invented her whole
story. and that she didn't have enough
imagination to keep from copying
after your biographical sketch In the
newspaper don't believe she Ia
your friends daughter. I don't be-
lieve you could ever have liked the
father Of q girl like Fran-that he
could have been your intimate friend"
well" faltered Gregory. But why
should he defend Fran?
"Mr. Gregory" she asked, as II what
she was about to say belonged to what
had gone before. world It greatly in.
convenience you for NE to leave your
employment"
He was electrified. "Gracel Incon-
venience me!--would you--could :"
Il have LOT decided-not yet.
Speaking OF being yoked with unbe-
Iievers-I have never told you that Mr..
Robert Clinton has wanted me to mar
ry him. As long as he was outside Of
the church. OF course II was impos.
sible. But now that he Is converted"
"Grace!" grosned the pallld listener.
"He would like me to 60 with him
TO Chicago"
But you couldn't love Bob Clinton
--he isn't worthy Of you. GRACE. It's
impossible. Heaven knows I've had
disappointments enough" He start
ed up and came toward her. his eyes
glowing. "Wlll you make my life a
complete failure. after sll?"
"Loyo him?" Grace repeated calmly.
This is merely question OF doing
the most good. know nothing about
love-"
Then let me teach you, Grace.
let"
Shall we not discuss it?" she said
gently. THAT is best. think. III de-
eide TO marry Mr. Clinton. will tell
you even before tell him. l don't
know what shall choose as my best
course"
"But. Gracel What could I do
without"
Shall we Just agree TO say no more
about it?" she softly interposed. THAT