The Washington herald., 1913-03-23

The secretary fired the first shot.
Apropos of nothing that had gone be-
fore, but as if it we're an integral part
of the conversation. she offered-"And.
Mrs. Gregory. it is SO nice that you
can go to church now. since Fran
doesn't want to go, herself
(which she doesn't, herself Fran in
terjected.
so presumed" Grace remarked
Significantly. Mrs. Gregory, Fran can
stay with your mother-since she
doesn't care for church-and you can
attend services as you did when ! first
came to Littleburg"
Il am sure" Mrs. Gregory said
ter for Fran to go to church. She
ought to go-l don't like to think OF
her staying away from the services
and my duty is with mother
Grace said nothing. but the EXPIRES
sion OF her mouth seemed to cry aloud.
Duty, indeed. What did Mrs. Gregory
know about duty, neglecting the God
who had made her, to stay with an
old lady who ought to be wheeled to
church! Mrs. Gregory was willing for
her husband to fight his Christian war
fare alone. But alone? No! not while
Grace could go with him. II all the
rest of Walnut Street Church should
remain in tents of indifference. she
and Hamilton Gregory would be found
on the field.
Gregory coldly addressed Fran {:
Then, will you go to church? 1t
was as II he complained, Since my
wife WON'T"
Il might laugh" said Fran. Il dom;
understand religion
Grace felt her purcst ideals insulted.
She rose, little pale, but without
rudeness. "Wil you please excuse
me-" she asked with admirable re-
straint.
Miss Grace Hamilton Gregory en-
claimed. distressed, that she should be
driven from his table by an insult to
their religion was intolerable Miss
Grace-forgive her
Mrs. Gregory las 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 awayw Fran cried. over
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 dartcd up. and ram toT the head of
the table
Mrs. Gregory buried her face in her
hands.
Don't YOU bother about me-" Fran
coaxed: to think OF giving you pain,
dear lady! wouldn't hurt You for
anything in the world. and the person
who would isn't worthy of being
touched BY my loot" and Fran stamp
ed her foot. IF it'll make you a mite
happier. I'll go to church. and Sun
day school, and prayer meeting, and
the young peoples society, and the La
dies Aid. and the missionary society,
and the choir practice, and the night
service, and-and-
Hamilton Gregory felt that he should
take some part in this small drama,
but he did not know exactly what part
1T would make us all happier for you
| TO go. And what is far more impor-
tant child, it would make YOU happier
you'd be learning how to do right,
and be good"
oh. and would it," she flashed a,
him, somewhat incoherently Yes.
know some folks think it makes 'em
good Just to sit in meeting houses,
while somebody's talking about religion
But look at me Why! the people who
ought to have loved me. and cared for
my mother-the people that didn',
know but what we were starving-they
| wouldn't have missed a service any
sooner than you would: no, sir.
want to tell you." Fran cried, her face
flaming, her voice vibrating with emo
| tion long pent-up, lust the reason
that religions nothing to me. It's be-
cause the only kind I've known is 60
ing to the church, dressed up. and
sitting in the church feeling pious-and
then, on the outside, and between
times, being just as grasping. and as
anxious to overreach everybody else
and trying just as hard 10 get even
with their enemies, as il there WASH,
church on the ground
This is sacrilege" gaspcd Hamilton
Gregory.
You show me little religion Fran
cried, carried beyond herself. that
means doing something besides ring
ing bells and hiring preachers; you
show me little religion that means
making people happy-not people clear
out of sight, but those living in your
own house-and maybe I'll like it and
want some of it. Got any of that kind
But if | stay here, I'll say too much
I'll go, so you can all be good to-
gether-" 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