The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1913-06-13

me feel like tearing up things. don't
like her. I hoped you'd be on my
side"
He came down the steps gravely.
"She is my friend"
I'm a good deal like YOU" Fran
declared. following. Il can like most
anything and anybody; but can't go
that far. Well, don't like Miss Noir
and she doesn't like me-isnt that
fair?"
Examine yourself" he advised,
"and find out what it is in you that she
doesn't like; then get rid Of what you
find"
"Huh!" Fran exclaimed, "I'm going
to get rid of her, all right"
He saw the old elfish smile now
when he least wanted to see it, for it
threatened the secretary, Knocked the
grave superintendent, and asserted the
girls right to like whom she pleased.
Fran escaped, recognizing defeat;
but on her homeward way, she was
already preparing herself for the next
move. So intent was she in estimat-
ing the forces of both sides, tina. she
gave no heed to the watchful faces
at cottage windows, she did not recog-
nize the infrequent passers-by, nor OBJ
serve the occasional buggfes that
creaked along the rutted road. With
Grace stood, of course, Hamilton Greg
Dry; and, judging from Bob Clinton's
regular visits, and his particular atten-
lions to Grace. Fran classed him also
as victim Of the enemy. It now
seemed that Abbott Ashton followed
the flag Noir; and behind these three
leaders, massed the congregation Of
Walnut Street church, and presumably
the town Of Littleburg.
Fran could count for her support an
old bachelor with a weak heart, and an
old lady with an ear-trumpet. The odds
were terribly against her.
The first light skirmish between
Fran and Grace took place on Sunday.
All the Gregory household were at
late breakfast. Sunday-school bells
were ringing their first call, and there
was not a cloud in the heavens AS big
as a mans hand, to furnish excuse for
non-attendance.
The secretary fired the first shot
Apropos of nothing that had gone be-
fore, but as if it were an integral part
OF the conversation, she offered" And,
Mrs. Gregory, it is so nice that you
can go to church now, since, If Fran
doesn't want to go, herself"
(Which she doesn't, herself" Fran
interjected.
$50 1 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 f1rst
came to Littleburg."
Il am sure" Mrs. Gregory said quiz
city, chat 1t would be much better
for Fran 10 go to church. She ought
to go-I don't like to think of her stay
ing away from the services-and my
duty is with mother"
Grace said nothing, but the express
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
warfare alone. But alone? No! not
| while Grace could go with him.
Gregory coldly addressed Fran:
| Then, viii you go to church, 1t
! was as il ne complained, "Since my
wife won't"
81 might laugh" said Fran. 81 don't
understand religion"
| Grace felt her purest ideals insulted
She rose, little pale, but without
rudeness. ''Will you please excuse
me?" she asked with admirable re
straint.
Miss Grace!" Hamilton Gregory ex
claimed, disturbed. That she should
! be driven from his table by an insult
to their religion was intolerable. Miss
Grace-forgive her"
Mrs. Gregory was 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
tsecretary, and her eyes k1ndled WIZ
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 away!" Fran cried. ever
come at sight of Mrs. Gregory's dis
tress. "Sit down, Miss Noir. Let me
be the one to leave the room, since i
isn't big enough for both. of u.s." She
darted up. and ran to the head of ths
table.
4 Mrs. Gregory buried her face in he
hands.
i Don't you bother about me-" Fral
coaxed; ito think of giving you pain
dear lady! 1 wouldn't hurt you TO
anything in the world. and the pei
son who would isn't worthy of being
| touched by my foot" and Fral