The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-13
CHAPTER XIII-Continued.

Fran's concentrated tones grew
milder: But Mrs Gregory has known
about the show all this time. Sh,
would die before she'd tell on me-"
Il never told. Fran. I'm not goin,
TO say that again; but you shall be
lieve me-"
'Of course. Abbott. But it jus
proves what | said, about her emptyint
her friends, about taking their secret
from them even without their knowing
she's doing it, | said to her, sharp anc
quick, What have you been saying
about me, Miss Noir?' She said
understand from Prof. Ashton that yol
are not young girl at all, but. mas
querader of at least eighteen years.
answcred-'Being a masquerade of a
least thirty-hve, you should have found
that out, YOURSELF | hardly think She:
thirty-fve; it wasn't fair blow, bu
YOU have to fight Indians in the brush
Then your friend said, Professor Ash
ton informs me that you are circus
girl. Don't you think you've strayeo
too far from the tent?' she asked.
said-'Oh, brought the show with me
Prof. Ashton is my advance advertising
agent Then she said that if I'd leave
Mr.. Gregory need never know that
I'm an impostor. But / told her nc
tickets are going to De returned.
''said-This show absolutely takes
place, rain or shine
Fran" said Abbott in distress, 81
want to talk this overcome here in
the yard where you're not so con-
spicuous."
Show girls ought to be conspicu-
ous. No sir, | stay right here in the
glaring moonlight 1t doesn't call for
darkness to tell me anything that is
on your mind, Professor"
Fran, you can't hold me response,
bic for what Miss Grace guessed. tell
you, she guessed everything. | was
trying to defend you-suddenly she
saw through it all. / don't know how
it was-maybe Mrs. Gregory can ex-
plain, as she's a woman. You shall
not deem me capable of adding an atom
to your difficulties. You shall feel that
I'm your friend while we're together
and after we part You must believe
me when l tell you that | need your
smile" His voice trembled with sud-
den tenderness. you must accept what
| say as the greatest fact in my life
that | can't be happy, if you are angry
with me-"
She looked at him searchingly, then
her face relaxed to the eve of revo-
luton. Who have you been trying to
get glimpse of all the times you
parade, the street in front of our
house,"
Abbott declared. YOU" In mute ap-
peal he held out his Hand.
You're a weak brother, but here"
And she slipped her hand into his. If
she'd been in conversation with me, l
wouldn't have let her have any pre-
sentiments 1t takes talent to keep from
telling what YOU know, but genius to
keep the other fellow from guessing.
What | hate about it is, that the very
next time you fall into her hands,
you'll be at her mercy. If | told you
a scheme I've been devising, she'd take
il from YOU in broad daylight She
can always prove she's right, because
she has the verse for it-and to- deny
her is to deny inspiration. And if she
had her way-she thinks I'm sort
of dissipation-there'd be a national
prohibition of Fran"
of Fran, I'd be the first to smuggle
YOU in somehow. little Nonpareil l
do believe that Miss Grace is the most
conscientious person | ever knew, ex-
cept Mr. Gregory. Just the same, I'm
your friend. Isn't it something for me
TO have taken YOU on trust as l have,
from the very beginning?"
His brown eyes were so earnest that
Fran stepped into the shadow. Its
more than something, Abbott. Your
trust is about all that | have. It's just
like me to be wanting more
than have. I'm going to con-
hde in you my scheme. Let's talk it
over in whispers" They put their
heads together Tomorrow, Grace
Noir is going to the city with Bob
Clinton to select music for the choir
he doesn't know any more about
music than poor Uncle lobe Fuller,
but YOU see. he's still alive 1t will
be the first day she's been off the place
since ] came. While she's away, l
mean to make my grand effort"
AT what, Little Wonder?"
AT driving her away for good. I'm
going to offer myself as secretary,
and with her out of sight, I'm hoping
TO win the day.
But she's been his secretary for
five years-is it reasonable he'd give
her up? And would it be honorable
for you to work against her in that
way? Besides, Fran, she is really nee
essary to Mr.. Gregory's great charity
enterprises
The more reason for getting rid of
her"
81 don't understand how you mean
that. | know Mr.. Gregory's work
would be seriously crippled. And it
would be great blow to Walnut
Street ChurchNshe's always there"
Still, you see she can't stay"
mo, | don't see You and Miss
Grace must be reconciled
ooh, Abbott, can't you understand,
or is il that you just wont? 1t isn't
on my account that Miss Noir must
leave this house. She's going to bring
trouble-she's already done it. I've
had lots of experience and when see
people hurying down hill, i expect to
find them at the bottom, not because
its in the people. but because it's in the
direction. / don't care how no-ac-
count folks are; il they keep doggedly
climbing up out of the valley, just
give 'em time, and they'll reach the
mountain top | believe some mighty
pood-intentioned men are stumbling
down hill, carrying their religion right
into hell"
Hush. little friend! You don't under
Stand what religion is