The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-05-22

his subconsciousness. Why did this
stranger speak of Miss Grace Noir as
| the lady who isn't Mrs. Gregory
The young man at times had caught
himself thinking of her in just that
way.
School superintendent do not enjoy
being mystifed. Really" Abbott de-
clared abruptly 81 must go back to
the meeting"
Fran had heard enough about his
leaving her She decided to stop that
once and for all. If you 90 back,
l 60 tool she said concusiyely She
gave him look to show that she
meant it, then became all humility.
please don't be cross with little
NOnpareil,' she cOaXed. please don't
want to go back to that meeting
Please don't want to leave me- You
are so learned and old and so strong
you don't care why a little girl
laughs"
Fran tilted her head sidewise. and
the glance of her eyes proved irresist-
ible. But, tell me about Mr.. Greg
Dry" she pleaded, and don't mind my
ways. Ever since mother died I've
found nothing in this world but love
that was for somebody else, and
trouble that was for me-"
The pathetic cadence of the slender.
throated tones moved Abbott more
than he cared to show.
IF you're in trouble" he exclaimed.
you've sought the right helper in Mr..
Gregory. He's the richest man in the
county, yet lives so simply. so fru-
gally-they keep few servants-and
all because he wants to do good with
his money. | think Mr.. Gregory is one
of the best men that ever lived"
Fran asked with simplicity, Great
church worker"
Hes as good as he is rich. He
never misses a service ] can't give
the time to It that he does-to the
church, / mean; have the ambition
to hold, one day, a chair at Yale or
Harvard-that means to teach in a
university" he broke off, in explana-
ton.
You see" with a deprecatory
smile, Il want to make myself felt in
the world"
Fran's eyes shone with an unspoken
"Hurrah!" and as he met her gaze. he
felt a thrill Of pleasure from the i'll
preston that he was what she want
ed him TO be.
Fran allowed his soul to battle a
while in divine eyebeams Of fattering
approval, then gave him a little sting
to bring him to life You are pretty
old. not to be married." she remarked
Il hope you won't find some woman to
put an end to your high intentions,
but men generally do. Men fall in
love, and when they finally pull them
selves out, they've lost sight of the
shore they were headed for"
A slight color stole to Abbott's face.
In fact, he was rather hard hit. This
wandering child was no doubt witch.
He looked in the direction of the tent.
as If TO escape the weaving of her
magic. But he only said, THAT sounds
-er-practical."
Yes" said Fran, wondering who
the woman" was, "if you can't be
practical, there's no use to be. Well,
l can see you now, at the head of
some university-youl make it, be
cause you're so much like me. Why.
when they first began teaching me to
feed Good gracious! What am |
talking about?" She hurried on. as
if to cover her confusion. But |
haven't got as far in books as you
have. so I'm not religious"
Books aren't religion" he remon-
strated. then added with unnecessary
gentleness, Little Nonparen, What
an ideal"
Yes, books are" 'etorted Fran.
shaking back her han. swinging her
foot, and twisting her body impatient
ly. That's the only kind Of religion
l know anything about-just books
just doctrines; what you ought to be-
lieve and how you ought to act-all
nicely printed and bound between Gov
ers. Did you ever meet any religion
outside of book, moving up and
down, going about in the open?"
He answered in perfect confidence,
Mr.. Gregory lives his religion daily
the kind that helps people, that makes
the unfortunate happy"
Fran was not hopeful. We'll. I've
come all the way from New York to
see him. l hope he can make me
, he n,,iinr,n. hnnn,.-. ~. -. 49,. Z.