Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-22
foundly. Knowing how unshakabls

foundly. Knowing how unshakabie
were her resolutions, he made des-
perate attempt to divert her mind:
THAT Is settled, Miss Grace, and It's
too late now to alter the decision. for
the school board has already voted US
, q new uperintendent-he has been
sent his notification. Abbott Ashton
is out Of 1t, and It's all his fault. Bob
was the only ono to stand up for him.
but he wasn't strong enough to noN
his friend above the wave Of popular
opinion. Don't ask me to interview
Bob for Abbott Ashton"
Grace calmly waited for this futility
to pass; then with an air suggesting.
Now, shall we talk sensibly?" she
resumed: II approve the action OF the
school board. It did we'll In Diminishing
Professor Ashton. May speak about
Mr. Clinton? He urges me to marry
him lat once"
"Nonsense!" he exclaimed.
1T 10 not nonsense" Grace calmly
responded. "He thinks could make
him a better man. We would work
among the very poor In the Chicago
! settlements; maybe in one OF your
own missions. often wonder II l
couldn't do moro good by personal con-
tact with evil, than can here, with a
person like Fran always closging my
efforts" @
He started UP. "Grace! You 90
leave me and ny
work.
'Let Fran fill my position. You
think she's the daughter of your boy
hood friend--it- would give her posi-
ton and independence"
mo one can I'LL your place" Greg
DRY exclaimed. with violence. His
cheeks burned. lambert flames
cleaned in his brown eyes. The effect
was startlingly beautiful. At such ex'
allied moments, thinking no evil oe'
cause ceasing to think. grown all reel
| ing. and It but an infinite longing, the
glow Of passion refined his face, al
WAYS delicately sensitive. The vision
OF Grace, in giving herself to another,
like a devouring fire consumed those
temporary supports that held him
above the shifting sands Of his inner
, nature.
Grace! But Grace! You wouldn't
marry HIM"
because she found his beauty ap-
pealing to her as never before, her
voice was the colder: amy ones place
can be filled"
"you don't care!" ne cried out des.
pe-atefy.
"Tor Mr.. Clinton? Yes, / admire his
ne, sistence in seeking God, and his
wish to work for mankind. God
comes easier to some than to others,
and believe I could help"
Gregory. aghast at her measured
tone, interrupted: But l mean that
YOU don't care-don't care for me-"
For" she began abruptly, then
added in an odd whisper, for your
Yes. for me don't care
how much I suffer, or whether l SUI.
fer at ALL mean my work, II It suit
fers II lose you, Grace
| ooh, you will always have Fran"
! "Fran!" he calculated. 80 you
don't care. Grace It seem.
Incredible because care 30 much
Grace!" His accent was that of ute,
despair. "How can lose you since
you are everything? What would %
! left to live fort? Nobody else sympa
thizes with my aims. Who but you I'M
derstands? oh, nobody will ever sym
pathize-ever caro-"
"Rut, Mr.. Gregory" she began, con
fused. Her face had grown white.
Grace he caught her hand. ex
pecting 1t to be snatched away the
hand he had hourly admired at It's
work; he could feel it's warmth
! caress it's shapelinessand 1t did not
resist. It trembled. He was afraid t,
| press it at first, lest 1t be wrenched
free; and then. the next moment, he
was clasping it convulsively. For the
first time in her life, Grace did not
meet his eyes.
"Grace." he painted, not knowing
what he was saying, "you care, I see
YOU care for NEEDN'T you?"
mo" she whispered. Her lips were
dry her eyes wide, her bosom heav
Ing. Boundaries hitherto unchange
able, were suddenly submerged. Des
perately, as II for, her life, she sought
to cling to such floating landmarks az
] DUTY, Conscience, Virtue-but they
i were drifting madly beyond reach.
''But you can't love him, can you 2
Gregory asked brokenly.
Grace, with closed eyes, shook heI
head-what harm could there be In
that confession? After his voice ceased
Eshe still heard the roaring as OF
shell, as il she might be half-drowned
| In mere sound.
''You won't 60 away. will you
Grace?" he pleaded, drawing he'
closer. w
She shook her head, lips still parted
eyes still closed.
Speak to me, Grace. Tell me yol
will never leave me-"
| Her lips trembled, then he heard
| faint Never" Instantly neck ant
brow were crimsoned; her face. al
ways superb became enchanting. The
dignity OF the queen was lost In the
woman's greater charm.
Because you love me-" cried Greg
DRY wildly. II know you do, now,
know you do" His arm was abou
] her "You will never leave me De
cause you love me. Look at me
1 Gracen
! It seemed that her eyelids we're hell
down by tyrannous thumbs. She tried
to lift them. and tried again. Her face
was irradiated by the sunrise glow o
a master passion. Swiftly he kisset
/, heh Inns and as abe remained motion