The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-09-20

tated. that my wife would find 1t easy
enough to 60 to church, II she really
wanted to CO."
Mr.. Gregory" she reprovei him.
WELL" he cried. somewhat defiant.
ly, don't you think she could 90, If
she wanted tor"
We'll" Grace answered slowly,
"this girl will leave her without any
any excuse"
"Oh. Miss Grace. II my wife were
only-like you'll mean. about going
to church,"
II consider It," she responded. "the
most important thing in the world"
Her emphatic tone proved her SIN
cerity. The church on Walnut street
stood, for her, as the ark: those who
remained outside, at the call OF the
bell, were In danger of engulfment.s =.
After a long silence. Grace looked
up from her typewriter. "Mr. Greg.
ory,' she said pauslngly. you are uu.
happy"
Nothing could have been sweeter TO
MIN than her sympathy. except happi.
ness itself. "Yes," he admitted, with
great sigh. II am very unhappy, but
you understand me, and that Is O little
comfort. II you should marry Bob
Clinton-Grace. tell me you'll not
think Of 1t again." 49,.
And you are unhappy" said Grace,
steadfastly ruling Bob Clinton out of
the discussion, ION account Of Fran"
He burst forth impulsively-'Ever
since she came to town." He checked
himself. "But I owe It to my friend
to shelter her. She wants to stay and
and she'll have to. II she demands
It"
DO you owe more to your dead
friend" Grace asked, with passionate
solemnity, than TO the living God Z" D,
He shrank back. But / cant send
her away" he persisted in nervous
haste. IL can't But heaven bless you,
Grace, for your dear thought Of me- Z"
You will bless me with more rea
son." said Grace softly, when Fran
decides to go away. She'll tire OF this
house-l promise II. She'll go-just
wait!--she1l go, as unceremoniously
as she came. Leave 1t to me, Mr.-Oreg-
ory." In her earnestness she started
up. and then. as II to conceal her
growing resolution. she walked swiftly
to the window as IL to hold her manu-.
script to the light. Gregory followed
her.
"If she would only go!" he groaned.
Grace! DO you think you couldf-
Yes. ! will leave everything to YOU"
Shell CO." Grace repeated fixedly.
The window at which they stood
overlooked the garden into which Fran
had wheeled old Mrs. Jefferson.
Fran. speaking through the ear
trumpet with as much caution as deaf.
ness would tolerate, said. Dear old
lady, look up at the library window
II you please, for the mueszin has
climbed his minaret to call to prayers"
Very little Of this reached It's desti.
nation--muezzin was In great danger
Of complicating matters, but the old
lady caught library window" and held
T. securely. She looked up. Ham,
i,ton Gregory and Grace Noir were
standing at the tower window, to
catch the last rays of the sun. The
nag Of truce between them was only
q typewritten sheet Of manuscript
Grace held the paper obliQuely toward
the west; Hamilton leaned nearer and,
with his delicate white finger, pointed
out q word. Grace nodded her head
In gentle acquiescence.
Amen" muttered Fran. Nov let
everybody sing!" .-.
The choir leader and his secretary
vanished from sight.
Just like the play In Hamlet" Fran
said half-aloud. "And now that the
inside play is over, guess It's time
for old Ham to be doing something"
Mrs. Jefferson sripped the arms of
her wheeichair and resumed her tale,
as II she had not been interrupted. 1t
was OF no interest as q story. yet pos
sessed q sentimental value from the
fact that all the characters save the
raconteur were dead. and possibly all
but her forgotten. Fran loved to hear
the old lady evoke the shades of long
ago. shades who would never again
assume even the palest manifestation
to mortals, when this old lady had
gone to Join them.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)