The Washington herald., 1913-04-06
CHAPTER XII.
Grace Captures the Outposts.

The next evening there was choir
practice at the Walnut Street Church
Abbott Ashton, hesitating to make his
nightly plunge into the dust clouds of
learning, paused in the vestibule to
take peep at Grace. 1t always rest
ed him to look at her; he meant TO
| drink her in, as it were, to cool his
parched soul, then make dash at his
stack of examination papers. He knew
she never missed choir practice, for
though she could neither sing, nor play
the organ, she thought it her duty to
set an example of regular attendance
! that might be the means of bringing
those who could do one or the other
Abbott was not disappointed; but
he was surprised to see Mrs. Jeffer-
son in her wheel chair at the end OF
the pew occupied by the secretary,
while between them sat Mrs. Gregory.
His surprise became establishment on
discovering Fran and Simon Jeffer-
son in the choir loft, slyly whispering
and nibbling candy, with the air of
soldiers off duty-for the choir was
in the throes of solo.
Abbott, as if hypnotized by what he
had seen. slowly entered the auditor
ium. Fran's keen eyes discovered him.
and her face showed elfsh mischief.
Grace, following Fran's eyes, found
the cause of the odd smile, and beck
oned to Abbott Hamilton Gregory,
following Grace's glance-for he saw
no one but her at the practices, since
| she inspired him with deepest fervor-
| felt suddenly as if he had lost some
thing; he had often experienced the
| same sensation on seeing Grace ap-
preached by some unattached gentle
man.
Grace motioned to Abbott to sit be-
| side her, with a concentration of at
tention that showed her purpose of
reaching a definite goal unsupported by
the other. On account of the solo,
,, there were the briefest of whispered
greetings to Mrs. Gregory, and merely
wave to old Mrs. Jefferson
I'm so glad Fran has taken place
in the choir" Abbott whispered to
Grace And look at Simon Jefferson
who'd have thought it,"
Gface looked at Simon Jefferson
she also looked at Fran. but her COM
pressed lips and reproving eye ex-
pressed none of Abbott's gladness
However, she responded with-'I am
so glad you are here, Prof. Ashton
for I'm in trouble, and ! can't decide
whiyh way it is my duty to turn. Will
you help me? | am going to trust you
it is a matter relating to Mr.. Greg
ory"
Abbott was pleased that she should
think him competent to advise her re-
specting her duty; at the same time
he regretted that her confidence re-
lated to Mr.. Gregory. 1t came
vaguely to his mind that it was al
ways like that-which was natural
though, since he was her employer.
prof. Ashton" she said softly
docs my position as hired secretary
to Mr.. Gregory carry with it the OBJ
legation to warn him of any miscon-
duct in his household"
The solo was dying away, and. sweet
and low, it fell from heaven like
mamma upon his soul, blending divinely
with the secretary's voice Her ex-
preston hired" sounded like a tragic
note-to think of one so beautiful, Sc
meek, so surrounded by mellow hymn
notes, being hired! He had lost the
vision of his career in mists of an at
tenuated Grace Noir. AS the material
skirts of the spiritual Grace Noir
brushed his leg, it was as if, for a mo-
ment, his veins ran muslin and pink
ribbons
You hesitate to advise me, before
you know ALL" she said, land you are
right In a moment the choir will be
singing louder, and we can all talk
together Mrs. Gregory should be
consulted, too"
Grace, conscious of doing all that
one could in consulting Mrs. Greg
DRY, too" looked toward the choir
loft, and smiled into Hamilton Greg