Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-05-17
CHAPTER TX. J
Skiwashln0.

That her position in Hamilton Greg
rvs household was assured, she re-
tolved to seek support from Abbott
fshton. That is why. one afternoon.
Wbbott met her in the lower hall Of
Ele public school, after the other pu-
Els had gone, and supposed he was
Eseting; her by accident.
Good evening, Nonpareil," he said.
leased that her name should have
Iome to him at once. His attentive
box found her different from the night
their meeting; she had lost her elf
fh smile and wtth1t the romance Of
he unknown and unexpected. Was it
because. at half-pastifour, ones charm
Is at lowest ebb? The janitor was
fweeping down tho hall stairs. The
very cir was filled with dusty realism
EFran was no longer pretty: he had
Thought
Then you haven't forgotten me-"
fmurmured Fran.
( NO." he answered, proud Of the
lfact. "You have made your home
with MI. Gregory. You are in Miss
Bulls classroom. knew Mr.. Gregory
{would befriend you-he's one of the
best men living. You should be very
Unhappy there
\ NO." said Fran, shaking her head
J decidedly, mot happy"
He was rather glad the janitor was
sweeping them out OF the house. "You
must find 1t pretty hard, he remarked.
with covert reproach. TO keep from
being happy"
1T isn't at all hard for me-" Fran
assured him, as she paused on the
front steps. Really. it's easy to be
unhappy where Miss Grace Noir is"
1t happened that just then the name
Grace Nofr was sort OF talisman
opening to the young mans vision the
interior Of wonderful treasure-caves;
1t was like crying "Sesame!" to the
very rocks, for though he was not
in love With Gregorys secretary, he
fancied the day Of fate was not far
ahead.
He had no time to seek fair and TO
mantle ladies. Five years ago. Grace
Noir had come from Chicago as II to
spare him the. trouble Of search.
Fate seemed to thrust her between
his eyes and the pages Of his text
books. Abbott never felt so unworthy
as when in her presence: an unerrtn4
inskinct seemed to have provided her
with an absolute standard Of right and
wrong, and she was SO invariably right
that no human affection was worthy Of
her unless refined seven times. Within
himself, Abbott discovered dross.
"Try to be a good girl, Fran" he
counseled. "Be good, and your asso-
citation with Miss Noir will prove the
happiest experience OF your life.''
BE good" she: returned mockingly,
'eand you will be Miss Noir." Then
she twisted her mouth. ''She makes
me feel like tearing up things. don't
like her. hoped you'd be on my
side"
:. He came down the steps gravely.
f'.She is my friend"
I'm . good deal like you," Fran
declared, following. II can like most
anything and anybody; but can't go
that far. Well, don't like Miss Nofr
and she doesn't like me-isa't that
fair?"
Examine yourself" he advised,
"and find out what It IL In you that she
doesn't Mksa then get~rd Of what you
find"
"Huh!- Fran exclaimed. I'm going
TO get rid Of her, all right"
He saw tho old elfish smile now
when he least wanted to see It, for 1t
threatened the secretary. Knocked the
grave superintendent, and asserted the
girls right to like whom she pleased.
Self-respect and loyalty to Grace hast,
ened Abbott's departure, leaving the
spirit Of mockery to escape the tani.
tors broom as best it might.
Fran escaped. recognizing defeat;
but on her hon1eward way. she was
already preparing herself for the next
move. SO intent Was size IN es:tu2at-
ing the forces Of both sides. that she
gave no heed to the watchful faces
at cottage windows. she did not recog.
ntzes the infrequent passers-by. nor OBJ
serve the occasional buggies that
creaieed along the Tutted road. With
Graoe stood, Of course, Hamilton Greg.
DRY; and. Judging from Bob Clinton's
regular visits, and his particular atten.
tions to Grace, Fran chased him also
as ! victim Of the enemy. It now
seemed that Abbott; Ashton followed
the .hag. NotrS and sIsafnA these three
headers. masIed the congregation OF
tWaluuess chuzeh. and presumably
khe1own e l4tt1sbuEg.
Fan could, count, for her, support an
sd .ba0hes6esMsl kkhaswssksheaEt, and an
old 1ndysvtfk aniaazstz1zaDsG The odds
were terribly against her.
The first Hight skism1sh between
FRA. and Gfnce,tpok place on Sunday
IAN the Gregory household wore a
late breakfast sundayschool bells
wore ringing their flrst call, and there
was not cloud In the heavens - big
Is q mans hand, to furnish excuse for
non,attendance.
Tie secretary flred the first shot.
Apropos Of nothing that had gone be-
fore. but ~ II It were an integral part
OF the conversation, she o6ered-"And,
Mrs. Gregory, 1t is 80 nice that you
can 10 to church now, since, II Fran
doesn't want to 20, herself"
(which she doesn't herself" Fran
sntsr3ected.
$50 / prssumed," Grace Remained
sisnincaxliiiy. = mrs Gssss,.5, EsTs -:
n stex With zenE mothez-since sae