The Washington herald., 1913-03-02

or five hundred houses, family twin,
king, and beyond the meadows on the
right, a fringe of woods started up
as if it did not belong there, but had
come to be seen. while above the
woods swung the big moon with Fran
on the foot bridge to shine for.
Fran's hat dangled Idly in her hand
as she drew herself with backward
movement upon the railing. The moon
light was full upon her face; so was
the young mans gaze. One OF her
feet found. after leisurely exploration,
down slanting board upon the edge
of which she pressed her heel for sup
port. The other foot swayed to and
fro above the flooring. while a little
hand on either side OF her gripped
the top rail.
Here | am" she said, shaking back
rebcllious hair.
Abbott Ashton studied her with grave
dcliberation-it is doubtful if he had
ever before so thoroughly enjoyed his
duties as usher. He pronounced ju-
dicially. You are older than you look. y
Yes Fran explained. my expert
encc accounts for that. I've had lots. "
Abbott's lingering here beneath the
moon when he should have been hur-
rying back to the tent, showed how
unequally the good things of life
experience, for instance-arc divided.
You are SIXTEEN" he hazardcd, con-
scious of a strange exhilaration.
Fran lodged the issue behind a
smile-"And l don't think you are so
awfully old"
Abbott was brought to himself with
a Jolt that threw him hard upon self
consciousness. Il am superintendent
of the public school" The very sound
of the words rang as a warning, and
he became preternaturally solemn.
'Goodncssw cried Fran. considering
his grave mouth and thoughtful eyes,
docs it hurt that bad?"
Abbott smiled. All the same, the
position of superintendent must not
be bartered away for the transitory
pleasures of a foot bridge. "Wc had
better hurry. if you please he said
gravely.
Il am so afraid -of YOU" murmurcd
Fran But know the meeting will
last long time yet. I'd hate to have
10 wait long at Mr.. Gregory's with
that disagreeable lady who isn't Mrs.
Gregory"
Abbott was startled. Why did she
thus designate Mr.. Gresory's sccre-
tary, He looked keenly at Fran, but
she only said plaintively:
Can't We stay here:
He was disturbed and perplexed. 1t
was as if fitting shadow from some
uniformed cloud of thought he d
fallen upon the everyday world out of
his subconsciousness Why did this
stranger speak of Miss Grace Noir as
the lady who isn't Mrs. Gregoryf'
The young man at times had caught
himself thinking OF her in just that
way.
Looking intently at the other as if
to divine her secret thoughts, he forgot
his uneaSlnesS. One could
not long be troubled by thougft-mists
from subconsciouSness, when looking
at Fran, for Fran was fact. He
sighed involuntarily. She was such a
fact.
Perhaps she wasn't really pretty
but homelys by no means. Her thin
face slanted to a sharpened chin. Her
hair, drawn to the corner OF either
eye. left white triangle whose apex
pointed to the highest reach OF the
forehead. Thus the face. in all its
contour. was rising. or falling. to a
point. This sharpness of feature was
in her very laugh itself; while in that
I1air-encircled oval was the light OF
elhish mockery. but of no human JOY.
School superintendent do not enjoy
being mystifed. Really" Abbott de
clared abruptly. Il must go back to the
meeting"
Fran had heard enough about his
caving her. She decided to stop that
oncc and for all IF you go back. go
too" she said conclusively. She gave
nim look to show that she meant it,
hen became all humility.
Please don't be cross with little
Nonparcil," she coaxcd. please don't
want to go back to that meeting.
Please don't want to leave me. You
ire so learned and old and so strong
'ou don't care why little girl laughs"
Fran tilted her head sidewise, and
he glance of her eyes proved irreSisti-
,lc. But tell me about Mr. Gregory"
he pleaded, "and don't mind my ways.
Ever since mother died, I've found
nothing in this world but love that
vas for somebody else, and trouble
hat was for me-
The pathetic cadence of the slender
hroated tones moved Abbott more
han he cared to show.
IF you're in trouble" he exclaimed,
you've sought the right helper in Mr.
Gregory. He's the richest man in the
county, yet lives so simply, so fru-
keep few servants-and all
,ecausc he wants to do good with his
money"
Il guess his secretary is considerable
lelp to him." Fran observed.
Il don't know how he'd carry on his