Putnam patriot., 1913-07-04


cheeks burned, lambert flames
cleaned in his brown eyes. The ef-
feet was startlingly beautiful. At such
exalted moments, thinking no evil be-
cause ceasing to think, grown all feel
ing, and it but an infinite longing. the
glow of passion refined his face. al
ways delicately sensitive. The vision
of Grace, in giving herself to another.
like a deyouring fire consumed those
temporary supports that held him
above the shifting sands of his inner
nature.
Grace! But Gracel You wouldn't
marry him!"
Because she found his beauty appeal
ing to her as never before, her voice
was the colder: "Anyone's place can
be filed"
You don't care!" he cried out des-
perately.
For Mr. Clinton? Yes, admire his
persistence in seeking God, and his
wish to work for mankind God comes
easier to some than to others, and
believe | could help"
Gregory. aghast at her measured
tone, interrupted: But | mean that
you don't care-don't care for me-
For" she began abruptly, then
added in an odd whisper, for your"
Yes, for me -. don't care
how much I suffer, or whether | suf-
fer at ALL mean my work, If it suf-
fers. If l lose you. Grace"
Won will % haua
"Franl" ne calculated. so you
don't care, Grace 1t seems in
credible because l care so much
Graee!" His accent was that of utter
despair. How can l lose you since
you are everything? What would be
left to live for? Nobody else sympa-
thizes with my aims. Who but you un-
derstands? Oh, nobody will ever sym
pathize-ever care"
But, Mr.. Gregory" she began, con-
fused. Her face had grown white.
"Gracei" he caught her hand, expect
ing 1t to be snatched away-the hand
he had hourly admired at its work; he
could feel its warmth, caress its shape
liness-and it did not resist. 1t trem-
bled.
He was afraid to press II at first
lest it be wrenched free; and then, the
next moment, he was clasping II con-
vulsively For the first time in her
life, Grace did not meet his eyes.
'.Graee!" he painted, not knowing
what he was saying. you care, see
you care for NEEDN'T your"
No." she whispered. Her lips were
dry, her eyes wide, her bosom heaving.
Boundaries hitherto Interchangeable,
were suddenly submerged. Desperate
ly, as if for her life. she sought to-
cling to such floating landmarks as
duty, conscience, virtue-but they were
drifting madly beyond reach. ;,
But yon can't love him, can your
Gregory asked brokenly.
Grace, with closed eyes, shook her
head-what harm could there be in
that confession?
you won't go away, will you,
Grace?" he pleaded. drawing her
closer.
She shook her head, lips still part
ed, eyes still closed.
Speak to me, Grace. Tell me you
will never leave me-"
Her lips trembled, then he heard a
faint "Never!" Instantly neck and
brow were crimsoned; her face, al
ways superb. became enchanting. The
dignity OF the queen was lost in the
womans greater charm.
vsN,, Iova a,-fad EraO-
CRY wildly 81 know you do, now, 1
know you dol" His arm was about
her. you will never leave me be-
cause you love me. Look at me,
Gracei"
1t seemed that her eyelids were held
down by tyrannous thumbs. She tried
to lift them, and tried again. Her
face was irradiated by the sunrise
glow OF master passion. Swiftly he
kissed her lips, and as she remained
motionless, he kissed her again and
again
Suddenly she exclaimed blindly:
"0h, my Cod" Then she threw her
arms about him, as he drew her TO his
bosom.
1t was at that moment, as If Fate
herself had timed the interruption,
that Fran entered.
There was a violent movement OF
mutual repulsion on the part of Hamil-
ton Gregory and his secretary. Fran
stood very still, the sharpness of her
profile defined. with the keenness OF
eyes and a slight grayness about the
II llv al
and old
Fran was a dash of water upon
raging fire. The effect was not extin-
guishment, but choking vapors. Be-
wildered. lost 10 old circumstances,
it was necessary for Grace to readjust
herself not only to these two, but TO
herself as we'll
Fran turned upon her father, and
pointed toward his desk Stand
there!" she said, scarcely above
whisper.
Gregory burst forth in blind wrath:
How dare you enter the room In this
manner? You shall leave this house
at once. and for ever. ! should
have driven you out long ago. Do you
hear me? Col"
Fran's arm was still extended.
Stand there!" she repeated.
Quivering In helpless fury, ne
stumbled to his desk, and leaned up
on il His face burned; that OF Grace
Noir was CHASTITY white.
Now, you," said Fran, her voice
vibrating a. she faced the secretary,
go to your typewriter"
Grace did not move.
Fran's eyes resembled cold stones
with jagged points as her steady arm
pointed: "Go Stand wherU | tell