Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-10-23

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l have never been thrown with such
IA degenerate"
But, Miss Grace" he urged plead
ingly, do you think my friend, when
he went back to find her and she was
gone-do you think he should have
kept on hunting? Do you think, Grace,
that he should have remained yoked
to an unbeliever, after he realized his
folly?"
There was heavenly compassion in
her eyes, for suddenly she had di-
vined his purpose in defending Fran's
father. He was thinking Of his own
wife, and of his wife's mother and
brother-how they had ceased to show
sympathy in what he regarded as the
essentials of life. Her silence suggest
ed that as she could not speak without
casting reflection upon Mrs. Gregory,
she would say nothing, and this tact
was grateful to his grieved heart.
II have been thinking of something
very strange" Grace said, with a
marked effort to avoid the issue lest
she commit the indiscretion Of blam-
ing her employers wife. II remem
Der having heard you say that when
you were a young man, you left your
fathers home to live with a cousin in
a distant town who happened to be a
teacher in a college, and that you were
graduated from his college. Don't you
think 1t marvellous, this claim of Fran,
who says that her father, when a
young man, went to live with a cousin
who was a college professor, and that
he was graduated from that college?
And she says that her fathers father
was a rich man-iust as yours was
and that the cousin is dead-just as
yours is"
At these piercing words, Gregory
bowed his head to conceal his agita-
ton. Could it be possible that she
had guessed all and yet, in spite of all,
could use that tone of kindness? 1t
burst upon him that if he and she
could hold this fatal secret in common,
they might, in sweetest ~comradeship,
form an alliance against fate itself.
She persisted: "The account that
Fran gives Of her father is really your
W history. What does that show?s
He spoke almost in a whisper. my
friend and l were much alike" Then
he looked up swiftly to catch a look
of comprehension by surprise, II such
a look were there.
Grace smiled coolly. But hardly
identical, l presume. Don't you see
that Fran has invented her whole
story, and that she didn't have enough
imagination to keep from copying
after your biographical sketch IN the
newspaper? l don't believe she 10
your friends daughter. l don't be-
lieve you cOu2d ever have liked the
father of a girl like Fran-that he
could have been your intimate friend"
well" faltered Gregory. But why
should he defend Fran?
Mr. Gregory" she asked, as II what
she was about to say belonged to what
had gone before, would 1t greatly in
convenience you for me to leave your
employment"
He was electrified. Grace! lncon-
venience me!-would you-could . :"
Il have not decided-not yet.
Speaking Of being yoked with unbe-
lievers-I have never tola you that Mr..
Robert Clinton has wanted me to mar
ry him. AS long as he was outside of
the church, of Course it mas impos-
sible. But now that he is converted"
"Grace!" groaned the pallid listener.
HE would like me to go with him
to Chicago"
But you couldn't love Bob Clinton
he isn't worthy Of you, Grace. It's
impossible. Heaven knows I've had
disappointments enough" He start
ed up and came toward her, his eyes
glowing. VIII you mike my life a
complete failure, after all?"
Love him?" Grace repeated calmly.
This is merely a question of doing
the most good. know nothing about
love-"
"Then let me teach you, Grace,
let" ...,.
Shall we not discuss IT." she said
gently. THAT is best, / think. II / de-
eide to marry Mr.. Clinton, l win tell
you even before l tel! him. 1 don't
know what shall choose as my best
course"
But, Grace! What could l do
without" ..4e&
Shall we just agree to say no more