Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-05-30

''My God! Then Somebody Has Told
You About Springfield. II Was
Franz"
same silent attitude when Grace Noir
came in from the hall.
Grace turned up the lights, and then
-"Oh!" It was impossible to prevent
an unpleasant compression Of the
mouth at discovering Gregory 50 near
his wife. Am I In the way? am
looking for company. and heard the
doorbelEplease excuse mel" she add.
ed. biting OF the words.
"Of course you are not in the way"
Gregory returned desperately. Com.
pany. you say? And you heard the
doorbell-is Bob Clinton" He grew
white. MY eyes are bad. for some
reason" he muttered. and switched off
the lights again.
"How very dark you have It in
herel" said Grace reprovingly. "Of
course Mr.. Clinton has been shown
the back-parlor. where It Is light. !
will 90 to him there. and leave you
two" she paused irresolutely, but
neither spoke.
Grace had no sooner gone than Greg.
DRY with an effort found his voice.
Lucy, my conscience has tormented
me until it will not let me rest-about
you. It's right to know something
more about my life than I have ever
told
Right in there" said the maids
han Aah
ton and Robert Clinton entered the
half-light.
While Robert was greeting Mrs.
Gregory with exaggerated pleasure, in
order to escape facing her husband,
Abbott spoke to the other with an odd
sense OF meanness, as il he partook,
by mere neerness, Of the others cow
ardice. Il wish to speak to you for
few minutes. Mr.. Gregory"
Gregory. like an animal brought to
bay, said, Il suppose you've some ex-
cnse about playing cards with Fran"
more important than playing
cards." Abbott returned
Gregory fought of the inevitable:
II you refer to losing your position
1t the public school"
mo. Clinton has come home from
Springfield, and We have a matter"
Itc pressing business" spoke up
Robert. who all thia time had been
asking Mrs. Gregory il her mother was
well. !: Simon Jefferson was no worse,
If Fran was hearty, II Grace Noir was
1T homeland private business"
Il have no business" Mr.. Gregory
exclaimed, In fear. that my wife need
not know"
This -" cried Robert. Then re-
membering. he struck the keys a re-
sounding chord
/. Mrs.. Gregory was about to leave
the room.
''No. no!'' exclaimed Mr.. Gregory,
starting to the door to intercept her,
II want you to stay. III have no &C.
,crets hom you. Lucy. want you to
hear what these gentlemen have to
say" He glared 1t Abbott ~ II daring
him to speak the words that must de-
stzoy his vife's last feeble hold on
her position.
II hope Mrs. Gregory will excuse
as" said Abbott. smiling at her %
cheerfully rs he could, but she knows
that there arc matters Of business
that women don't unde1Utand, or care
to learn. This II something that re-
lstes merely to you, Mr.. Gregory. and
ourselves"
"Of course Understand you, 1b-
bott" said Mrs- Gregory gently. "and
E5f. Gregory - wronI to insist on my
acknowledgements are always in
tho way" She smiled, and. slipping
around Gregory, had reached the door,
when she eame face to face with
Grace NOR, entering. At sight of her
for Grace did not pause. but went
over to the piano-krs. Gregory ap-
parently reconsidered, and stepped 70
her husbands side.
$50 you did coma" Grace said. smil