The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1913-09-12

true man, out a Weaknng. l am gao
l have never been thrown with such
"a degenerate"
But, Miss Grace" he urged plead,
ingly, do you think my friend, when
he went back to find her and she was
gone-do you think he should have
kept on hunting? Do you think, Grace,
that he should have remained yoked
to an unbeliever, after he realized his
folly?"
There was heavenly compassion In
her eyes, for suddenly she had di-
vfned his purpose in defending Fran's
father. He was thinking of his own
wife, and of his wife's mother and
brother-how they had ceased to show
sympathy in what he regarded as the
essentials of life. Her silence suggest
ed that as she could not speak without
casting reflection upon Mrs. Gregory,
she would say nothing, and this tact
was grateful to his grieved heart.
81 have been thinking of something
very strange" Grace said, with a
marked effort to avoid the issue lest
she commit the indiscretion of blam-
ing her employers wife. Il remem-
Der having heard you say that when
you were young man, you left your
fathers home to live with a cousin in
distant town who happened to be a
teacher in college, and that you were
graduated from his college. Don't you
think it marvellous, this claim of Fran,
who says that her father, when a
young man, went to live with cousin
who was a college professor, and that
he was graduated from that college?
And she says that her fathers father
was a rich man-just as yours was
and that the cousin Is dead-just as
yours is"
At these piercing words, Gregory
bowed his head to conceal his agita-
ton. Could it be possible that she
had guessed all and yet, in spite of all,
could use that tone of kindness? 1t
burst upon him that If he and she
could hold this fatal secret in common,
they might, in sweetest comradeship,
form an alliance against fate itself.
She persisted: THE account that
Fran gives of her father is really your
own history. What does that shown"
He spoke almost in a whisper my
friend and l were much alike" Then
he looked up swiftly to catch a look
of comprehension by surprise, If such
a look were there.
Grace smiled coolly. But hardly
Identical, l presume. Don't you see
that Fran has invented her whole
story, and that she didn't have enough
imagination to keep from copying
after your biographical sketch in the
newspaper? l don't believe she is
your friends daughter. l don't he
lieve you could ever have liked the
father Of girl like Fran-that he
could have been your intimate friend"
well" faltered Gregory. But why
should he defend Fran?
"Mr. Gregory" she asked, as if what
she was about to say belonged to what
had gone before, would it greatly IN
convenience you for me to leave your
employment"
He was electrified. Grace! Incon-
venience me!-would you-could :"
Il have not decided-not yet
Speaking of being yoked with unbe-
lievers-I have never told you that Mr..
Robert Clinton has wanted me to mar
ry him. AS long as he was outside of
the church, of course it was impos-
sible. But now that he is converted
"Grace!" groaned the pallid listener
HE would like me to go with him
to Chicago"
But you couldn't love Bob Clinton
he isn't worthy of you, Grace. It's
impossible. Heaven knows I've had
disappointments enough" He start
ed up and came toward her, his eyes
glowing. will you make my life
complete failure, after all?"
Love him?" Grace repeated calmly.
This is merely question of doing
the most good. know nothing about
love-"
Then let me teach you, Grace,
let"
Shall we not discuss it," she said
gently. THAT is best, think. If | de-
eide to marry Mr.. Clinton, l will tell
you even before 1 tell him. l don't
know what 1 shall choose as my best
course"
But, Grace! What could l do
without"
Shall we just agree to say no more