Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1913-07-30


quired. Her attitude of reserve to-
ward Gregory which Fran's presence
had inspired, melted to potential help
fulness; at the same time her dislike
for the girl solidified.
What do you adviser" Gregory
asked his secretary gently.
Grace cast disdainful look at Fran.
Then she turned to her employer and
her deliciously curved face changed
most charmingly. 81 think" she re-
sponded with faint shake OF rebuke
for his ieniency, that you should not
need my advice in this matter" Why
should he stand apparently helpless
before this small bundle OF arrogant
impudence?
Gregory turned upon Fran with az
fected harshness. you must CO." He
was annoyed that Grace should imag
Inc him weak.
Fran's face hardened. 1t became an
ak of stone, sharpened at each end,
with eyes, nose and mouth in a mar
row line of cold defiance. To Grace
the acute wedge of white forehead.
cleaning It's way to the roots OF the
black hair, and the sharp chin cut
ting its way down from the tightly
drawn mouth, spoke only of cunning.
She regarded Fran as a fox, brought
to bay.
Fran spoke with calm elaboration:
Il am not going away"
Il would advise you" said Grace,
looking down at her from under droop-
| ing lids, Ito go at once, for storm is
rising. Do you want to be caught In
the rain?"
Fran looked up at Grace, undaunt-
ed. II want to speak to Mr.. Greg
DRY. If you are the manager of this
house, he and / can go outdoors. /
don't mind getting wet. I've been in
all kinds of weather.
Grace looked at Gregory. Her 81
lences were effective weapons.
/ 81 have no secrets from this lady, "
he said, looking into Grace's eyes, an
swering her silence. What do you
want to say to me, child?"
Fran shrugged her shoulders, always
/ looking at Grace. while neither OF the
others looked at her. Very well.
then. OF course it doesn't matter to
me, but thought 1t might to Mr..
| Gregory. Since he hasn't any secrets
| from you, of course he has told you
that one of nearly twenty years ago"
It was, not the rumble of distant
thunder, but strange exclamation
| from the man that interrupted her; it
was some such cry as human crea-
lures may have uttered before the
crystallizing of recurring experiences
into the terms of speech.
Fran gave quick, relentless blows
"Of course he has told you all about
his Springfield life
"Silence!" shouted Gregory, CULVER
ing from head to foot. The word was
like an imprecation, and for a time 1t
kept kissing between his locked teeth.
"And of course" Fran continued,
fitting up her chin as IL to drive in
the words, since you know all of his
secrets-alI of them-you have natu-
rally been told the most important
one. And so you know that when he
| was boarding with his cousin in
Springfield and attending the college
| there, something like twenty years
ego"
Leave us!" Gregory cried, waving
violent arm at his secretary. as If
| to sweep her beyond the possibility
| of overhearing another word.
Leave you-with herr" Grace STAN
mered, too amazed by his attitude to
feel offended.
Eyes, yes, yes! Go at once!" He
seemed the victim of some mysterious
terror.
Grace compressed her full lips till
they were thinned to a white line
do you mean forever"
"Oh, Grace beg your pardon
Miss Grace don't mean that, OF
course. What could I do without you?
Nothing, nothing, Grace-you are the
soul of my work. Don't look at me SC
cruelty"
Then you just mean" Grace said
steadily. for me to go away for 9
little whilef"
only half an hour; that's ALL Only
half an hour. and then come back tc
me, and will explain"
you needn't go at all, on my &C
count" observed Fran. with twist
of her mouth. 'It's nothing to me
whether you go or stay"
"She has learned a secret" Gregory
stammered, that vitality affects-af
fects some reopIe-some friends OF
mine / must talk to her about
about that secret, Just for little
while Half an hour. Miss Grace, thai
is all. That is really all-then come
back to ME. You understand that its
bon account o. the secret that | ash
YOU to leave us. You understand thai
| would never send you away from me
il had my way. don't you. Grace ?"
Il understand that you want me tt
% now" Grace Noir replied unre