Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-08
BvJOHN E(kENRlDGE ELLIS
Copyright, 1912. The

NyOVlAX DnL\
Copyright, 1912, The toot
CHAPTER VIII Continued.
Behind large spectacle lenses, sparks
flashed from Mrs. Jefferson's eyes.
She shifted battle. But her tightly
compressed lips showed that she
lacked both Frans teeth and Fran's
intrepidity. One steps cautiously at
seventy-Odd.
Fran comprehended. The old lady
must not let it be suspected that she
was aware of Gregory's need Of cotton
in straining ears. such as had saved
Ulysses from siren voices. The pre-
tense Of observing no danger kept the
fine old face uncommonly grim.
Little girls shouldn't fight" was
her discreet rejoinder. Then leaning
over the wheel, she advanced her snow
white head to the head of coal-black.
Better not stir up dragons"
Fran threw back her head and
laughed reflantly.
Bring on your dragons" she cried
boastfully. There's not one of 'em
that I'm afraid Of She extended one
leg and stretched forth her arm. 'I'll
say to the Dragon, Stand up'-and
she'll stand; I'll say Lie down'-and
down she'll lie. I'll say Git-and she'll
-" Fran waved her dragon to an.
initiation.
Goodness" the old lady exclaimed,
getting nothing of this except the
pantomime: that, however, was elo-
quent. She recalled the picture of
David in her girlhocl's Sunday-school
book Are you defying the Man of
CATH" She broke into delicious
smile which seemed to food the
wrinkles of her face with the sun
shine Of many dear old easy-going
years.
Fran smote her forehead. II have a
few pebbles here" she called through
the trumpet. ... .
Mrs. Jefferson grasped the others
thin arm, and said, with Zestful
energy, "Let her have 'em David, let
her have 'em!"
CHAPTER TX.
skirmishlng.
Fran made no delay in planning her
campaign against Grace Noir. Now
that her position in Hamilton Gregory's
household was assured. she resolved
to seek support from Abbott Ashton.
That is why, one afternoon, Abbott
met her in the lower hall Of the pub
lie school, after the other pupils had
gone, and supposed he was meeting
her by accident.
Since their parting in the moon
light, Abbott had lost his vivid impress
sion of Fran. AS superintendent,
school hours were fully occupied In
teaching special classes, overlooking
his staff of teachers, and Furnishing
such refractory children as were rel
egated to his authority. The rest OF
the time was spent in pursuing higher
education; and N the sunburst OF
splendid ideals, the mote-beam OF a
Fran had floated and danced almost
unperceived.
Good evening, Nonpariel," he said.
pleased that her name should have
come to him at once. His attentive
look found her different from the night
of their meeting; she had lost her
elfish smile and with it the romance
of the unknown and unexpected. Was
1t because. at half-past four, ones
charm is at lowest ebb? The janitor
was sweeping down the hall stairs.
The very air was filled with dusty real
ism-Fran was no longer pretty; he
had thought
"Then YOU haven't forgotten me-
murmured Fran.
mo" he answered. proud of the
fact. "You have made your home with
Mr., Gregory. You are in Miss Bulls
classroom. I knew Mr.. Gregory would
befriend you--he's one Of the best men
living. You should be very happy
there"
NO" said Fran. shaking her head
decidedly, mot happy
He was rather glad the janitor was
sweeping them out Of the house.
"You must find it pretty hard" he re-
marked, with covert reproach, ito keep
from being happy"
1T isn't at all hard for me-" Fran
assured him, as she paused on the
front steps. Really, It's easy to be
unhappy where Miss Grace Noir is
It happened that just then the name
Grace Noir was sort OF talisman
opening to the young mans vision the
interior of wonderful treasure-caves;
it was like crying Sesame" to the
very rocks, for though he was not in
love with Gregorys secretary, ne
fancied the day of fate was not far
ahead.
He had no time to seek fair and ro-
mantle ladies'. Five years ago. Grace
Noir had come from Chicago as If to
spare him the trouble of a search.
Fate seemed to thrust her between
his eyes and the pages of his text
books. At church, which he attended
regularly, Grace was always present,
and to gaze at her angelic face was,
in itself, almost religious exercise.
Abbott never felt so unworthy as when
in her presence; an unerring instinct
seemed to have provided her with an
absolute standard of right and wrong,