The state herald., 1913-12-19

dil Tcdeou ONcI tuib ChTuiNoi COtupuuy.
II she would show half as much inter
est in her souls welfare"
He left the sentence unfinished. The
thought of Grace had grown supreme
1t seemed to illuminate some wide
and splendid road into a glorious fu-
ture.
The bookkeeper's desk was in gal.
lery near the ceiling of the Clinton
grocery store: one looked thence
through q picketfence, down upon the
only floor. Doubtless Grace. thus look
ing. saw him coming When he reached
her side. he was breathless. partly
from the struggle through the masses.
principally from excitement of fancied
security.
She was posting up the ledger. and
made no sign OF recognition until he
called her name.
"Mr. Clinton is not here" she said
remotely. Can l do anything for
your"
He admired her calm courtesy. II
at the same time she could have been
reserved and yielding he would have
found the impossible combination per-
feet. Because 1t was impossible. he
was determined to preserve her an
gelic purity in Imagination, and to re-
store her womanly charm to actual
being
How can you receive me SO coldly."
he said impulsively. when I've not
seen you for weeks?"
You see me at church." she an.
swered impersonally.
But have been dying to be near
you. to talk to you"
"Stop!" she held up her hand. You
are"
"Grace!" he groaned.
She whispered. her face suddenly
growing pale. Are engaged" The
tete-a-tete was beyond her supposed
strength.
Engaged" he echoed, as II she had
pronounced one of the worlds great
tragedies. Then you will give your.
self to that man-yourself. Grace, that
beautiful self-and without love? It's
a crime! Don't commit the horrible
blunder that's ruined my life. See
what wretchedness has come to me-"
Then you think" very slowly. "that
I ought to let Fran ruin my whole life
because your wife has ruined yours.
Their you think that after have been
driven out OF the house to make room
for Fran. that ought to stay single
because you married unwisely!"
Grace. don't say you are driven
out" Sf a
what do you call IT. A resigna.
tion!" N
"Grace!-we have only 4 few mo-
ments to be alone. For PHYS sake.
look at me kindly and use another
tone-a tone like the dear days when
you were by my side. We may
never be together again"
She looked at him with the same re.
pellent expression. and spoke In the
same bitter tone: well. suppose we're
not7 You and that Fran will be to.
gether."
In his realization that It was Fran.
and Fran alone. who separated them.
Gregory passed into state OF anger.
TO which his love added recklessness.
Grace. hate me II you must. but you
shall not misunderstand mel"
| She laughed. please don't ask me
to understand you. Mr.. Gregory. while
you hide the only secret to your un.
derstandins. Don't come to me with
pretended liking when what you call
mysterious business interests at
Springfield drive me from your door.
nnd keep Fran mt my desk"
He interposed In u low. passionate
voice. IL am resolved that you should
know everything. Fran-is my owr
daughter"
She gave no sign save sudden
compression OF the mouth: neverthe.
less, her surprise wns extreme. Her
mind flashed along the wires OF the
past and returned Illuminated To the
present ENHANCEMENT.
He thought her merely stunned. and
burst forth: Il toll you. Fran Ii my
child. Now you/ know why I'm com.
PEELED to do what she wants. That's
the secret Bob brought from Spring
field. That's the secret Abbott Ash.
ton hung over my head-the traltorl
after ia bcfricndcd him. All Of my
ungrateful friends have conspircd to
ruin mo. TO force you from me BY this
secret. but You know II now, and I've
escaped It's danger You know III"
And does your wife tnowy"
Would tell hcr. and not tell you
It's you I've tried to shield ! married
Josephine Derry. and Fran In our
child. You know Fran. Well. her
mother was Just like hor--frlvolous,
caring only Tor things OF tho world
irrcligious And ! waH Just boy-a
mere college youth. When ! realized
the awful mistake I'd made. thought
II best TO no away and lot her llya her
own life. Years after. I put Nil that
behind me. aud came TO Littlsburg