Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-06-02

"But Have Been Dying to Be Near
You, to Talk to You."
Gregory covered mis- face with his
hands. do you despise me, you pure
angel Of beauty? Oh, say you don't
utterly despise me. I've not breathed
this secret to any living soul but you,
you whom love with the madness OF
| despair. My heart is broken. Tell
! me what can do"
At last Grace spoke In thin tone:
Where is that woman?"
"Fran's mother?"
She did not reply; he ought to know
| whom she meant
"She died a few years ago-but
thought her dead when married Mrs.
Gregory. I didn't mean any wrong
to my wife, wanted everything legal.
and supposed 1t was. thought every
thing was all right until that awful
! night-when Fran came. There'd been
no divorce, so Fran kept the secret
not on my account, oh, no, no. not on
her fathers account! She gave me
no consideration. It was on account
Of Mrs. Gregory"
Which Mrs. Gregory"
"You know-Mrs. Gregory"
"Can believe that" Grace asked.
with a chilled smile. ''You believe
Fran really cares for your wife? You
think any daughter could care for the
woman who has stolen her mothers
rightful place."
But Fran won't have the truth de-
clared; II it weren't for her, Bob would
have told you long ago.
Suppose we're in Fran's place
would have kept the secret to spare
man or woman? No! Fran doesn't
care a penny for your wife. She
couldn't. It would be monstrous-un.
natural. But shes afwaysrhated me.
That's why she acts as she does-to
triumph over me. see it all. That
is the reason she won't have the truth
declared-she doesn't want me to
know that you are-are free"
Grace started up from the desk. her
face deathly white. She was totter.
ing, but when Gregory would have
leeced To her side. she whispered,
They would see US" Suddenly her
face became crimson. He caught his
breath, speechless before her imperial
lovelinese.
Mr.. Gregory" her eyes were burn
ing into his. have you told me all the
secret?"
"Yes-all."
"Then Mr.. Clinton deceived mel"
-
I'd send you away"
"Oh. see! SO even he Is one of
Fran's allies. Never mind-did you
say that when you married the second
time, your first wife was living. and
had never been divorced?"
"But Grace-dear Grace! thought
it all right. believed"
She did not seem to hear him.
Then she is not your wife, she said
in a low whisper.
"She believes"
"She believes!" Her voice rose
scornfully. And so that is the fact
Fran wanted hidden; you are not real.
~ bound to Mrs. Gregory"
"Not laeallv-hut-"
In what way, then?'
why. in no regular way-1 mean
but don't you see, there could be no
marriage to make it binding, without
telling her.
"You are not bound at ALL" Grace In.
teTupted. you are free-as free as
air-as free as l am. Are you deter
mined not to understand me? Since
you are free. there is no obstacle. in
Heaven or on earth, to your Wishes"
His passage from despair to sudden
hope was 80 violent that he grasped
the desk for support. "What?-Then?
-You-you-Grace, would you - But
80
you are Free" said Grace, and
since Mr.. Clinton's treachery, do
not consider myself bound"
"Grace!" he cried wildly, 'Grace-
star Of my -soul-go with me. go with
me. fy with me in q week-darling.
Let Us arrange 1t for tomorrow"
mo. ! win not 90 with you, unless
you take mo now"
Now? Immediately" he gasped,
5ow:!co1ca.
''';:ttAao;: osee turning hack. Oh.
returned. There's q train in some
thing like IN hour"
For ever" He was deiirious.
And you are to be mine-Grace, you
are to be mine-my very own!''
Yes. But you are never to see
Fran again"
DO want to SEQ her again? But
Grace, II We stay here until train
time. Bob will come and-er-and find
us--I don't want to meet Bob"
Then let m 80. There are such
oIowss &c *: ss...-ss>c.: 10. ne &c. eae
ily lose ousseissA.-