Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-12-25
CHAPTER XVI.
A Tanner of Lions.

The life of a household progresses,
usually by insensible gradations, to.
ward some great event. some climax.
for the building of which each day has
furnished it's grain of sand. Today,
Hamilton Gregory and Grace Noir
were in the library. with nothing to
indicate the approach of the great mo-
ment in their lives. 1t was Grace's
Impotence to drive Fran away sven
before Robert Clinton should bring
the secret from Springfield, that pre-
cipitated matters,
May l speak to you. Mr. Gregory"
She rose from the typewriter, slightly
pale from sudden resolution.
Gregory never missed a movement
of his secretary, but now he lifted his
head ostensibly, to make his observa-
ton official.
ITS about MIR. Clinton" said Grace
in a low voice, feeling her way to that
Fran"
He laid down his pen with a frown.
Suddenly Lis missions IN New York
and Chicago became dead weights.
Why Grace's "Mr. Clinton" instead of
her customary Brother Clinton?" 1t
seemed to equip the school director
with formidable powers. Gregory has
tened to put him where he belonged.
"Oh! Something about Bob?" he
asked casually.
Her look was steady, her voice
humble: Yes"
Her humility touched him profound.
ly. Knowing how unshakable we're
her resolutions, he made a desperate
attempt to divert her mind; That is
settled, Miss Grace, and it's too late
now to alter the decision, for the
school board has already voted us a
new superintendent-he has been sent
his notification. Abbott Ashton is out
Of it, and it's all his fault. Bob was
the only n to stand up for him, but
he wasn't strong enough to hold This
friend above the wave of popular opin-
ion. Don't ask me to interview Bob
for Abbott Ashton"
Grace calmly waited for this futility
to pass; then with an air suggesting,
Now, shall we talk sensibly?" she re-
sumed; Il approve the action Of the
school board. 1t did we'll in dismiss
ing Professor Ashton. May I ask about
Mr.. Clinton? He urges me to marry
him at once"
"Nonsense!" he exclaimed.
ut is not nonsense" Grace calmly
responded. "He thinks l could make
him a better man. We would work
among the very poor in the Chicago
settlements; maybe in one of your
own missions. | often wonder II
couldn't do more good by personal
contact with evil, than l can here.
with a person like Fran always clog
ging my efforts"
He started up. Grace! You 90
away?-And-and leave me and my
work."
Let Fran fill my position. You
think she's the daughter of your boy
hood friend-it would give her posi-
ton and independence"
mo n can ever fill your place.
Gregory claimed, with violence. His
cheeks burned, lambert flames
cleaned in his brown eyes. The eff.
feet was startlingly beautiful. At such
exalted moments, thinking no evil be,
cause ceasing to think, grown all feel.
ing, and it but an infinite longing. the
glow of passion refined his face, al.
ways ~delicately sensitive. The vision
Of Grace, in giving herself to another,
like a devouring fire consumed those
temporary supports that held him
above the shifting sands of his inner
nature.
Grace! But Grace! You wouldn't
marry him!"
Because she found his beauty appeal,
ing to her as never before, her voice
was the colder; "Anyone's place car
be filed"
you don't care!" he cried out des.
p~erately.
For Mr.. Clinton? Yes, | admire his
persistence in seeking God, and his
wish to work for mankind. God comes
easier to some than to others. and
believe l could help"
Gregory, aghast at her measured
tone, interrupted: But / mean that
you don't care-don't care for me-"
ror- she began abruptly, tner
added in an odd whisper, for your"