The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-10-09

man. Mrs. Gregory sat near tn
group, silently embroidering in whit
SILK. Fran had hastily thrown hersel
upon the stairway, and. with hall
closed eyes. looked as II she had beef
there long time.
Fran said Mrs Gregory coldly
you left the choir practice before W,
we're twothirds done OF course
could hardly expect you"-he LOOKED
Mt his wlfe-"to stay, although you
presence would certainly have KEEP
Fran there; and It does look as /
we should be willing to resort to am
e%pediont 10 keep her therel"
How would lock and chain dor
Fran inquired meekly.
Il don't think she came straight
homo, either" remarked Grace Noii
significantly. Did you, Franz"
Miss Noir," said Fran, smiling a
her through the banIster.slnts, "yor
ARE so satisfactory; you always say
just about what ! expect. Yes. l came
straight home. I'm glad it's your bust
ness. so you could ask"
Hamilton Gregory turned to his
wife again, with restraint more
marked. Next Sunday Is roll-call day
Mrs. Gregory. The board has decided
to revise the lists. We've been carry.
Ing SO many names that It's q burden
to the church. The world reproaches
us. saying, Isn't So-and.so member
He never attends. does her ! do
hope you will go next Sunday"
Mrs, Gregory looked down at her
work thoushtfully. then said, Mother
would be left"
IT'S Just this way" her husband in.
terposed abruptly: IF no excuses, such
as sickness, are sent, and II tho people
haven't been coming for months, and
don't intend coming, we are simply
determined to drop the names-strike
EN- out We believe church members
should show where they stand. And
and If you"
Mrs. Gregory looked up quietly.
Her voice seemed woven OF the silk
threads she was stitching In the white
pattern. IF | am not a member OF
the church, sitting an hour in the
building couldn't mako me one"
Simon Jefferson cried ont. is THAI
my sister Lucy7 Blessed II / thought
she had 80 much spirit"
DO you call that splrlt?" returned
Gregory with displeasure.
WE'LL" snorted Simon, what do
you call It, them"
Perhaps" responded Gregory. with
marked disapprobation, perhaps 1t
was spirit"
Grace, still attired for the street,
looked down upon Mrs. Gregory as II
turned to stone. Her beautiful face
expressed something like n horror at
the others irreverence.
Fran shook back her hair, and
watched with cleaning eyes from be.
hind the Stats. not unlike a small
wild creature peering from It's cage.
"Oh," cried Fran, Miss Noir feels
so bad!"
Grace swept from the hall, her
rounded figure instinct with the suffer.
ings of martyr.
Fran murmured. THAT killed her!"
And You'll" cried Gregory, turning
suddenly IN blind anger upon the
don't care whose heart
you break"
II haven't any power over hearts,"
retorted Fran. gripping her fingers TIL
her hands we're little white balls. "Oh.
II only had I'd get at EN- II |
could-like this =
She leaped to her feet
Am | always to be dened by your"
he exclaimed; "is there to be no end
10 It? But suppose put an end to
It, myself-tell you that this is no
place for you"
You shall never say that" Mrs. |
Gregory spoke up, distinctly, but not
IN his loud tones. She dropped her
work In some agitation, and drew Fran
70 her heart. 81 have a friend here,
Hamilton-one friend--and she must
stay"
Don't be uneasy, dear one" Fran
ooked up lovingly into the frightened
ace. "He won't tell me to go. He
won't put an end to It. He won't tell
ne an.thing!"
Listen to me. Lucy" said Gregory,
lis tone altering. yes, she must stay
that's settled-she must stay. OF
course. But you--why will you refuse
What ask, when for years you were
me OF the most faithful attendants
t the Walnut Street church? am
skiing you to go next Sunday because
well, you know how people Judge
" appearances. I'm not asking II
or my sake--of course know your
cal character 20 for Miss
races sakc--go to show her where
gu stand"
How is II about church attendance,
nyway?" asked Fran. with the air of ,
ne who seeks after knowledge. T
aought you went to church for the
~rGs sake, and not for Miss Noir's." .
s1 AAyo 0fveyf ynu INV ans-a~ NJ |