Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-10-03


repeated vacantly, 81 am willing tc
pay"
Fran interrupted fippantly: 81 have
all the money l want" Then sne
passed swiftly into the hall, rudely
brushing past the secretary.
Gregory could only follow. He spoke
to Grace in a low voice, telling all he
knew OF the night wanderer. Her
attitude called for explanations, but
he would have given them anyway, In
that low, confidential murmur. he
did not know why 1t was-or seek to
know-but whenever he spoke TO
Grace, it was natural to use a low
tone, as II modulating his touch to
sensitive strings-as II the harmony
resulting from the interplay Of their
souls called for the soft pedal.
What 10 to be done?" Grace in
quired. Her attitude Of reserve to-
ward Gregory which Fran's presence
had inspired, melted to potential help
fulness; at the same time her dislike
for the girl solidihed.
What do you adviser" Gregory
asked his secretary gently.
Grace cast disdainful look at Fran.
Then she turned to her employer and
her deliciously curved face changed
most charmingly. Il think" she re-
sponded with a faint shake Of rebuke
for his leniency, that you should not
need my advice in this matter" Why
should he stand apparently helpless
before this small bundle Of arrogant
impudence?
Gregory turned upon Fran with az
fected harshness. You must CO." He
was annoyed that Grace should mag
Inc him weak.
Fran's face hardened. 1t became an
az OF stone. sharpened at each end
with eyes, nose and mouth In a mar
row line of cold defiance. To Grace
the acute wedge of white forehead
cleaning its way to the roots Of the
black hair, and the sharp chin cut
ting its way down from the tightly
drawn mouth, spoke only Of cunning
She regarded Fran as q fox, brought
to bay.
Fran spoke with calm elaboration:
Il am not going away"
81 would advise you," said Grace
looking down at her from under droop
ing lids. ito go at once, for a storm Il
rising. Do you want to be caught II
the rainT'
: Fran looked up at Grace, undaunt
ed. II want to speak to Mr.. Greg
DRY. II you are the manager OF thi
house, he and | can go outdoors.
don't mind getting wet. I've been II
all kinds Of weather"
Grace looked at Gregory. Her 81
lences were effective weapons.
81 have no secrets from this lady,
he said, looking into Grace's eyes. an
> swering her silence. What do yor
want to say to me, child?"
Fran shrugged her shoulders, Away
looking at Grace, while neither of tn
others looked at her. Very well
then, of course 1t doesn't matter L
me, but / thought it might to MI
Gregory. Since he hasn't any secret
from you, of course he has told yo1
that one Of nearly twenty years ago
II was not the rumble Of distan
thunder, but a strange exclamation
from the man that interrupted her;
was some such cry as human cres
lures may have uttered before tn
crystallizing Of recurring experience
into the terms of speech.
Fran gave quick, relentless blows
"Of course he has told you all abou
his Springfield life"
"Silence!" shouted Gregory, quive
ing from head to foot. The word wa
like an imprecation, and for a time
kept kissing between his locked teetl
And OF course" Fran continues
fitting up her chin as II to drive
: the words, since you know all Of b
D secrets-all of them-you have nat
rally been told the most importar
one. And so you know that when /
: was boarding with his cousin
Springfield and attending the collel
there, something like twenty yea
ago"
. Leave us!" Gregory cried, wavir
a violent arm at his secretary. as
: to sweep her beyond the possibilit
of Overlooking another word. .
Leave you-with her7" Grace star
mered. too amazed by his attitude
n feel offended.