The Washington herald., 1913-03-16

Mr.. Gregory inscrutably, was the bes,
friend you ever had. wasn't he? You
loved him better than anybody else in
the world, didn't you?"
1-l-yes," the other stammered
looking at her wildly. and passing his
agitatcd hand across his eyes, as il to
shut out some terrible vision, ''yes, l.
| was-er-fond of-him."
Il guess you were" Fran cried EN-
phatically. You'd have done anything
for him"
Il have this to say" remarked ST.
mon Jefferson, that | may not come
up to the mark in all particulars, and
] reckon | have my weaknesses; but
/ wouldn't own a friend that proved
himself the miserable scoundrel, the
weak cur. that this childs father proved
himself"
And agree with you," declared
Grace, who seldom agreed with him in
anything. How Mr.. Gregory, the bes,
man she had ever known, could be
fond OF Fran's father, was incompre-
hensible. Ever since Fran had come
knocking at the door, Grace's exalted
faith in Mr.. Gregory had been per-
picked by the foreboding that he was
not altogether what she had imagined
Hamilton Gregory felt the change in
her attitude. That friend he said
quickly, was not altogether to be CEN
sured. At least. he meant to do right
He wanted to do right. With all the
strength of his nature, he strove to do
right"
Then why didn't he do right?'
snapped Simon Jefferson. why didn't
he go back after that young woman
and take care OF her? Huh? What was
holding him.
He did go back" exclaimed Greg
ory. "Well-not at first. but after
ward He went to tell his father, and
his father showed him that it would
never do. that the girl-his wife
wasn't OF their sphere. their life, that
he couldn't have made her happy
that it wouldn't-that it just wouldn't
do. For three years he stayed in the
mountains of Germany. the most mis-
cradle man in the world. But his con-
science wouldn't let him rest. 1t told
him he should acknowledge his wife.
So he went back-but she'd disappear
ed-he couldn't find her-and he'd
never heard-he'd never dreamed of the
birth of a-of the-of this girl. He
never knew that he had a daughter.
Never"
well" said Simon Jefferson, hes
Good thing he's not alive; Id always
be afraid | might come up with him
and then. afterward, that might not
get my sentence oommutcd to life
imprisonment"
"Who is exciting my son?' demand
ed the old lady from her wheel-chair.
Simon Jefferson's red face and start
ing eyes told plainly that his spirit
was up. There was silence out of re-
spect for his weak heart, but there was
general feeling of surprise that
Gregory should so determinedly de-
fend his friend
After ALL" said Fran cheerfully. 1--WE
are here. and needn't bother about
what's past My mother wasn't given
her chance. but she's dead now, blessed
soul-and my father had his chance,
hut il wasn't in him to be man. Let's
lbrStt MIN d. d. VIC Ndil.
let's have nothing but sweet and peace
ful thoughts about mother. That's all
over. and I'm here to take my chance
with the rest OF YOU. We're the world.
while our day lasts"
What remarkable child" mur-
INJURED Grace Noir, as they prepared
to separate Quite a philosopher in
short dresses"
They used to call me prodigy"
murmured Fran. as she obeyed Mrs.
Gregory's gesture inviting her to fol-
low upstairs.
Now its stopped raining" Simon
Jefferson complained. as he wheeled
his mother toward the back hall.
That's good omen said Fran,
pressing Mrs. Gregory's hand. THE
moonlight was beautiful when | was
on the bridge-when first came
here
But we need rain," said Grace Noir
rcprovingly. Her voice was that of
one familiar with the designs of
Providence As usual. she and Hannl-
ton Gregory were about to be left
alone.
who needs it," called the I'm
abashed Fran. looking over the BAN
isters The frogs"
Life responded the secretary SOM
berly