The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-09-19
resulting from ethe interplay of their

VIII Ia WV WbfI
resulting from ethe interplay of their
souls called for the soft pedal.
What Is to be done?" Grace in
CURED. Her attitude Of reserve to-
ward Gregory which Fran's presence
mad inspired, melted to potential help
fulness; at the same time her dislike
for the girl solicited.
What do you adviser" Gregory
asked his secretary gently.
Grace cast disdainful look at Fran.
Then she turned to her employer and
ner deliciously curved face changed
most charmingly. Il think" she re-
sponded with faint shake Of rebuke
Tor his leniency, that you should not
need my advice In this matter" Why
should he stand apparently helpless
before this small bundle of arrogant
impudence?
Gregory turned upon Fran with af.
rected harshness. you must CO." He
was annoyed that Grace should fmag.
inc him weak.
Fran's face hardened. 1t became an
Ak OF stone, sharpened at each end
with eyes, nose and mouth in mar.
row line Of cold defiance. To Grace
the acute wedge of white forehead
cleaning its way to the roots of the
black hair, and the sharp chin cut
ting its way down from the tightly
drawn mouth, spoke only of cunning
She regarded Fran as a fox, brought
to bay.
Fran spoke with calm deIiberation:
Il am not going away"
Il would advise you," said Grace
looking down at her from under droop
ing lids, Ito go at once, for a storm is
rising. Do you want to be caught In
the rain?"
Fran looked up at Grace, undaunt
ed. II want to speak to Mr.. Greg
DRY. If you are the manager of this
house, he and l can go outdoors.
don't mind getting wet. I've been IL
all kinds Of weather"
Grace looked at Gregory. Her 81
lences were effective weapons.
81 have no secrets from this lady,
he said, looking into Grace's eyes, an
swering her silence. What do yor
want to say to me, child?"
Fran shrugged her shoulders, always
looking at Grace, while neither of the
others looked at her. VERY we'll
then, of course it doesn't matter tt
me, but l thought 1t might to Mr.
Gregory. Since he hasn't any secrets
from you, OF course he has told yo,
that one Of nearly twenty years ago
1t was not the rumble of distan
thunder, but a strange exclamation
from the man that interrupted her; i
was some such cry as human crea
lures may have uttered before th'
crystallizing of recurring experiences
into the terms of speech.
Fran gave quick, relentless blows
"Of course he has told you all abou
his Springfield life"
"Silencel" shouted Gregory, CULVER
ing from head to foot, The word wa!
like an imprecation, and for time i
kept kissing between his locked teeth
"And of course" Fran continued
fitting up her chin as If to drive il
the words. "since you know all of hi
secrets-all of them-you have natu
rally been told the most importan
! one. And SO you know that when h
was boarding with his cousin il
Springfield and attending the colleg'
there. something like twenty year
ago"
Leave us!" Gregory cried, wavin.
violent arm at his secretary, as /
to sweep her beyond the possibilit!
of overhearing another word.
leave you-with herr" Grace STAN
mered, too amazed by his attitude Il
feel offended.
Eyes, yes. yes! Go at once" III
seemed the victim Of some mys,eriou
terror. -.
! Grace compressed her full lips til
they were thinned to white line
do you mean forever?"
"Oh, Grace--I beg your pardon
Miss Grace-I don't mean that, o
course. What could do without you
Nothing, nothing, Grace-you are tn
soul of M work. Don't look at me 81
cruelty"
Then you just mean Grace sal
steadily, for me to go away for
little while?"
only half an hour; that's all. onl
half an hour, and then come BACK Z
me. and | will explain"
"You needn't go at all, on my az
count" observed Fran, with tWis
of her mouth. "It's nothing to m
whether you go or stay"
"she has learned a secret Gregor
stammered, "that vitality affects-al
fects some people some friends
mine. / must talk to her about
about that secret, just for litti
while. Halt an hour, Miss Grace. tina
is all. That is really all--then com
hack to me. You understand that It
, on account OF the secret that ! as