The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-05

VI course. But consider how Miss
orace's labors are blessing the help
less."
Abbott. unless the fruits of relig.
Ion are favored by love, they're no
more account than apples taken with
bitter.rot-not worth fifty cents a
barrel"
Abbott asked slyly. "what about
your fruit. out there In the world?"
Oh" Fran confessed, with q CLEAN,
we're not in the orchard-business at
all. out here"
Abbott laid his hand earnestly upon
her arm. Fran! Come in and help
us spray"
You dear old prosy. preachy pro-
fessori" she exclaimed affectionately,
Il have been thinking Of 1t. I've ha'
MIND to try. really. Wouldn't Grace
Noir Just die o Lord, there
she comes now!"
Fran left the disconsolate young
man In wild precipitation, and few
into the house. He turned on In an.
other direction. and Gregory and Grace
came slowly toward the house. having,
without much difficulty, eliminated
simon Jefferson from their company.
In truth, Simon, rather than be i'm
proved by their conversation, had
dived down q back alley. and found
entrance through the side door. When
Hamilton Gregory and his secretary
came into the reception hall, the old
bachelor lay upon divan thinking of
his weak heart--Fr,n's flight from
the choir loft had reminded him Of it
and Mrs. Jefferson was fleming him,
- IL he were never to DC a grown
man. Mrs. Gregory sat near the
group. silently embroidering In white
silk. Fran had hastily thrown herself
upon the stairway, and. with half.
closed eyes. looked as IL she had been
there q long time.
Fran" said Mrs. Gregory coldly.
you left the choir practice before we
were two-thirds done. or course
could hardly expect you"-he looked
at his wife-"to stay. although your
presence would certainly have kept
Fran there; and 1t does look as II
we should be willing to resort to any
expedient to keep her there!"
How would lock and chain DOR
Fran inquired meekly.
Il don't think she came straight
home. either" remarked Grace Noir
signif cantly. Did YOU, Franz"
Miss Noir," said Fran. smiling at
her through the banisterslats, you
are 30 satisfactory; you always say
Just about what expect. Yes, I came
straight home. I'm glad It's your busi-
ness. 90 you could ask"
Hamilton Gregory turned to his
wife again. with restraint more
marsed. Next Sunday Is roll-call day.
Mrs. Gregory. The board has decided
to revise the lists. We've been carry
Ing 80 many names that it's a burden
TO the church. The world reproaches
us. saying. Isn't So-and-so a member?
He never attends. does hep / do
hope you will go next Sunday!"
Mrs. Gregory looked down at her
work thoushtfully. then said, Mother
would be left"
ITS just this way" her husband In
terposed abruptly: IF no excuses, such
rs sickness. are sent. and IL the 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 whore they stand. And
and IL you"
Mrs. Gregotry 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 make me one"
Simon Jefferson cried out, 'Is that
my sister Lucy? Blessed IL thought
abe had so much spirit"
DO you call that spirit?" returned
Gregory. with displeasure.
"Well!" snorted Simon. what do
you call IL. then?"
Perhaps" responded Gregory, with
marked disapprobation. perhaps II
was spirit"
Grace. still attired for tho street.
looked down upon sIrs. Gregory as II
turned 10 stone. Her beautiful face
expressed something like a horror at
the others irreverence.
Fran shook back her hair, and
watched with cleaning eyes from be-
hind the Stats, not unlike q small
wild creature peering from It's cage.
"Oh." cried Fran, Miss Noir feels
40 badl"
Grace swept from the hall. her
rounded figure instinct with the suffer.
ings OF q martyr.
Fran murmured. THAT killed herr"
and you!" cried Gregory, turning
suddenly In blind anger upon the
other-"you don't care whose heart
you break"
Il haven't any power over hearts" :"
retorted Fran. gripping her fingers till
her hands we're little white balls. "Oh.
liz IL only hnnI IA naf af lan, 10 Il