The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-12-10

Fran really cares for your wife? You
think any daughter could care for the
woman who has stolen her mothers
rightful placer"
but Fran won't have the truth de.
clared; If it weren't for her, Bob would
have told you long ago."
Suppose were In Fran's place..
would l have kept the secret to spare
man or woman? No! Fran doesn't
care a penny for your wife. She
couldn't. 1t would be monstrous--un.
natural. But she's always hated me.
That's why she acts as she does-to
triumph over me. see 1t all. That
Is the reason she won't have the truth
declared-she doesn't want me to
know that you are-are free"
Grace started up from the desk. her
face deathly white. She was totter.
ing, but when Gregory would have
leaped to her side, she whispered
They would see U.s." Suddenly her
face became crimson. He caught his
breath. speechless before her imperial
hoveliness.
"Mr. Gregory" her eyes were burn.
ing into his, have you told me all ths
secret?"
"Yes-all."
Then Mr.. Clinton deceived ms,s
HE agreed to hide everything. n
I'd send you away"
"Oh, ! see! 80 even he 70 one OF
Fran's allies. Never mind-did you
say that when you married the second
time. your flrst wife was living. and
had never been divorcedf'
But 0race-dear Gracei thouxht
It all right I believed"
She did not seem to hear him.
Thsn she is not your wife," she said
in . low whisper.
"6he believes
"6he believesl" Her voice rose
scornfully. "And 20 that IL the fact
Fran wanted hidden; you arc not real.
~ bound to Mrs. Gregory"
mot leeally-but@
In what way, thenf''
why, In no regular way--I mean
but don't you see. there could be no
marriage to make 1t binding, without
telling her"
You are not bound at an" Grace IA.
terrupted. you are free-as free al
air--as free as am. Are you deter
mined not to understand me? Since
you are free. there Is no obstacle, in
Heaven or on earth, to your wishss." {"
His passage from despair to sudden
nope was 10 violent that he grssped
tho desk for support. 'What?-Then7 I
-Yoa-you-oraos, would you - But
You are frse." said Grace, "and
since Mr. Clinton's trsachsry, ! %
not consider myself bound" d.
"0racsl" he cried Wildly, ''Grace--
star Of my soul-so with me, 10 with
me. ay with me In q week--darlinx.
ISet us arrange It for tomorrow"
mo. will not 60 with you. unlass
you take me now"
Nov? immediately" he gaspsd.
bewi,dered. - b.
Without once turning back" she
returned. There's Z train In some
thing like an hour"
For ever?" He was delirious.
And you are to be mine-Grace. you
are to be mine-my very own!"
Yes. But you are never to sss
Fran again" Al. sll
DO l want to see her again? But
Grace. II We stay here until train
time. Bob will come and-er-and and
us-l don't want to meet Bob"
Then let US 90. There are such
crowds on the streets that We can eas-
lily lose ourselves"
Bob will hunt for you, Grace, II
he gets back with Abbott before our
train leaves. Miss Sapphira said she
was looking for him any minute, and
that was a good while ago."
III you can't keep him from finding
me-" Grace said. "let him nnd. I do
not consider that I am acting In the
wrong. This is the beginning Of our
hves," she finished, with sudden 10y.
And II Bob sees me with you. Grace,
after what he knows, you can guess
that something very unpleasant
would"
Grace drew back. to look searchinD
~ into his face. "Mr. Gregory" she
said slowly. you make difnculties."
He met her eyes, and his blood
danced. II make dimculties? No!
Grace, you have made me the happiest
man in the world. Yes. our lives be-
gin with this night-our real lives.
Grace. you're the best woman that
ever lived!"