The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-12-03
Copy r,eht. lsla Bobls-H HsFrSIl O
CHAPTER XIX.
The First Victory.

CHAPTER XIX.
The First Victory.
when Grace re-entered the paflor
10 md Hamilton Gregory alone, her
eyes were full OF reproach without
tenderness. As she came straight
toward him. N ,pen letter In her
hand. iis body grew erect. and his
brown eyes. losing their glassd light
burned from .hC depths.
Read IT," Grace said, In q thin.
brittle voice.
In frlkins the letter, Gregory touched
her hand. With recaptured alertness,
hs held the missive to the hight. and
read:
NY Dear Miss Noir:
This u to oficislly ofPer you the
position OF bookkeeper at my grocery
store. now that Hamilton Gregory has
decided to make Fran his secretary.
-ome over early In the morning and
everything viii be arranged to your
satisfaction. lam,
ROBERT CLINTON
Gregory looked up, and marked
The nxsdnees If her gase. Il seemed
70 call upon linn to avenge an insult
He could only bluster. who brought
this thing heref" He nuug the note
upon the table.
"A messenger" Grace's look did
not waver.
The impudencsI" he exclaimed
The affronti"
However" said Grace, II presume
1s 10 nnal that I am dismissedr"
But his unseemly haste In sendins
this nots-it's infamous, that's what ]
call Il, infamousi"
And you mean 70 take Fran In my
place. do you not?"
You sec." Gregory explained. Bob
Clinton came back to town this even.
Ing from Springfield. you understand,
and Abbott came with him--er-and
hrs. Gregory was In tho room 20 they
could not SPEAK exactly openly, and
,AoDott made the condition. can
hardy explain 20 delicate an affair ot
'---of business--but you see. Bob is eyi
dentiy very much m love with You
and he has II In his power to de-
'mand--"
Grace calmly waited for tho othe,
70 lapse into uncertain silencs. then
'said. This note tells me definitely
that am offered another position, but
yoa tell me nothing. II was I who
sent Mr.. Clinton to Springfield to looh
Into the private record of that Fran. ,
You see." Gregory explained, "hs
wns afraid I might think 1t presumptu
Gus OF him to do that. Il was like
doubting my word. 20 he came to me-
however. he 10 back and there II moth,
Ing TO reveal. absolutely nothing to
reveal
"ls he sure that the girl II NO i'm
,postorf"
He knows she isn't. His pockets
srs nuil OF proofs. know you sent
Bob on my account. Grace. but alas! !
FrsL is . reality-Ashe can't be dis
missed"
1T seems I can be. but of course
Il am nothing"
Grace. you are everything"
She laughed. Everything! At the
word OF an Abbott Ashton. a disgraced
scnooIteacher, you make me less than
nothins!"
He cried out impetuously. Shall |
tell you why we must part?"
Grace returned with q somber look
80 fran In TO have my place!"
Gregory interposed pa ,i,ionately. "It
10 because love you"
SO Fran In to be your secretaryI-
she persisted.
Grace. you have read my heart. |
have read yours; we thought we could
associate In safety. after that-but
am weak You never come into the
room that I am not thrilled with rap
tnra Life hasn't any brightness fol
mo except your presence. What can
do but protect your
Mr.. Gregory. Fran hasn't any In
terest In 7our work"
Il love you. Grace-I adore you
Beautiful darling-don't you see you
must 90 away because you are SO In
expressibly precious to roe! That's
why 1 mustn't have you under my
roof" He sank upon his knees and
caught her hand See me at you,
feet-should this thing beY"
Grace coldly withdrew her hand
In spite 9f all you say. you have on
gagged u In my place"
mo ono can take your place. dear.
0race's voice suddenly vibrated
You tell me you love me. yet you
agree to hire that woman. in my
plsce-the woman hate. I tell you
yes. the spy. the enemy Of this home.
Yes. Grace. do tell you that
love YOU would be kneellng here
worshiping you. otherwise? And wha,
fs more. you know that you love me-
you know II. That's why must send
you away"
Then send Fran away when vor