The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1913-07-25


Hamilton Gregory took her in his
arms and held her to his breast.
Fran" he said brokenly, my unfor-
tunate child -. my daughter-oh,
why were you born?''
YES" sobbed, Fran, resting her
head upon his bosom, 'yes, why was
| born?"
"You break my heart he sobbed
with her. Fran, say the word, and
| will tell everything; l will acknowl-
edge you as my daughter, and if my
wife"
Fran shook her head. You owe no
more to my mother than to her." she
said, catching her breath. "Nc. the
secret must be kept-always. Father
Il must never call you that except
when we are alone--I must always
whisper it, like prayer-father, let
me be your secretary"
1t was strange that this request
should surround Fran with the chill
atmosphere of a tomb. His embrace
relaxed insensibly. He looked at his
daughter in frightened bewilderment,
as if afraid she had drawn him too
far from his security for further hid
ing. During the silence, she awaited.
his decision.
1t was because of her tumultuous
vancing footsteps.
Some one is coming" he exclaimed,
with ill-concealed relief. eve mustn't
be seen thus-we would be misunder-
stood" He strobe to the window, and
pretended to look out. His face
cleared momentarily.
The door opened, and Grace Noir
started in, then paused significantly.
Am l interrupting?" she asked, in
quiescent accent.
Certainly not" Gregory breathed
freedom. His surprise was so joyful
that he was carried beyond himself.
Grace! It's Grace! Then you didn't
go to the city with Bob. There wasn't
any train"
81 am here" began Grace easily
Eyes, of course, that's the main
thing" his delight could not be held
in check. "You are here, indeed! And
you are looking mean you look
well-I mean you are not ill-your re-
turn is SO unexpected"
'I am here" she steadily persisted,
because I learned something that
affects my interests. l went part of
the way with Mr.. Clinton, but after
thinking over what had been told me,
l decided to leave the train at the next
station. / have been driven back in
carriage. may as well tell you, Mr..
Gregory, that / am urged to accept
responsible position in Chicago"
He understood that she referred to
marriage with Robert Clinton. But"
he began, very pale.
She repeated, "a responsible posi-
ton in Chicago. And l was told, this
morning, that while l was away, Fran
meant to apply for the secretaryship,
thus taking advantage of my absence"
Fran's face looked oddly white and
old, in it's oval of black hair. s'Who
told you this TRUTH" she demanded,
with a menacing CLEAN Of teeth.
"Who knew of your intentions?" the
OCHeT gracefully Sdlu. DuC IiAiS 10 uO
matter The point is that have this
Chicago opportunity. So if Mr.. Greg
DRY wants to employ you, l must know
it at once, to make my arrangements
accordingly"
"Can you imagine" Hamilton cried
reproachfully, that without any warn
ing, would make change? Certain
ly not have no intention of employ
ing Fran. The idea Is impossible.
More than that, it is-er-it is abso-
lutely preposterous. Would l calmly
tear down what you and 1 have been
building up so carefully"
Then you had already refused Fran
before / came?"
81 had-hadn't l, Franz"
Fran gave her father look such
as had never before come into her
dark eyes-a look Of reproach, a look
that said, 81 cannot fight back because
of the agony in my heart" She went
away silent and with downcast head