Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-10-30

me?" she asked with admirable re-
stralnt.
Miss Grace!" Hamilton Gregory ex-
claimed, disturbed. That she should
be driven from his table by an insult
to their religion was ~intolerable. "Miss
Grace-forgive her."
Mrs. Gregory was pale, for she, too,
had felt the blow. "Fran!" she ex-
claimed reproachfully.
Old Mrs. Jefferson stared from the
girl seated at the table to the erect
secretary, and her eyes kindled with
admiration. Had Fran commanded the
dragon" to "stand?"
Simon jefferson held his head close
to his plate, as If hoping the storm
might pass over his head.
Don't go away" Fran cried, ever
come at sight of Mrs. Gregory's dis
tress. "Sit down, Miss Noir. Let me
be the one to leave the room, since it
isn't big enough for both of u.s." She
darted up, and ran to the head of the
table.
Mrs. Gregory buried her face in her
hands.
Don't you bother about me-" Fran
coaxed; ito think Of giving you pain,
dear lady! l wouldn't hurt you for
anything in the world, and the per-
son who would isn't worthy of being
touched by my foot" and Fran
stamped her foot. eff it'll make you
a mite happier, I'll go to church, and
Sunday-school, and prayer meeting,
and the young peoples society, and the
Ladies' Aid, and the missionary So
ciety, and the choir practice, and the
night service and-and-" She darted
from the room.
Grace looked at Gregory, seeming
to ask him if, after this outrageous be-
havior, he would suffer Fran to dwell
under his roof. OF course, Mrs. Greg
DRY did not count; Grace made no at
tempt to understand this woma who,
while seemingly of a yielding nature,
could show such hardness, such a fixed
purpose In separating herself from her
husbands spiritual adventures. 1t
made Grace feel so sorry for the hus-
band that she quietly resumed her
place at the table.
Grace was now more than aver re-
solved that she would drive Fran
await had become a religious duty.
How could it be accomplished? The
way was already prepared; the secre-
tary vas convinced that Fran was an
impostor. 1t was merely needful to
prove that the girl was not the daugh-
ter OF Gregory's dead friend. Grace
would have to delve into the past, pos
sibly visit the scenes of Gregory's
youthful it would pay. She looked
at her employer with an air suggest
ing protection.
Gregory's face relaxed on finding
himself once more near her. Fortu-
nately for his peace Of mind, he could
not read the purpose hidden behind
those beautiful eyes.
81 wonder" Simon Jefferson gro wled,
why somebody doesn't badger me to
go to church," Indignant because
Fran had fed the pleasing fields OF
his interested vision, he paused, as
If to invite a~ntagonism,
He announced, This talk has excit.
ed me. If we can't live and let live,
I'll go and take my meals at Miss
Sapphire Clinton's."
No one dared to answer him. not
even Grace. He marched into the gar.
den where Fran sat huddled upon a
rustic bench. ." was just saying
Simon told her ingratiatingly, that II
all this TODD over religion isn't put 9
stop to, I'll take my meals at the Gin
tons'!"
Fran looked up at him without NOV
ing her chin from her palms, and asked
as she tried, apparently, to tie hel
feet into a knot, Isn't that where
Abbott Ashton boards?"
do you mean Professor Ashton?'
he returned, with subtle reproof.
Fran, still detected, nodded careless
ly. Were both after the same man
Simon lit the pipe which his rhysi
clan had warned him was bad for hi
heart. Eyes, Professor Ashton board
at the Clintons'."
Must be awfully jolly at the Gin
tons'," Fran said wistfully.
CHAPTER x.