The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-05-04

their glazed light, burned from the
depths. IS
Read it," Grace said, in thin
brittle voice.
In taking the letter, Gregory touched
her hand. With recaptured alertness,
he held the missive to the light, ard
read:
My Dear Miss Noir:
This is to officially offer you the
position of 'bookkeeper at my grocery
store, now that Hamilton Gregory has
decided to make Fran his secretary
Come over early in the morning and
everything will be arranged to your
satisfaction. / am,
ROBERT CLINTON
Gregory looked up, and. marked the
flxedness of her gaze 1t seemed to
call upon him to .avenge all insult.
He could only buster, Who brought
this thing here?' He flung the note
upon the table.
"A messenger" Grace's look did
not waver.
The impudence!" he exclaimed
THE affrontt'
However" said Grace, Il presume
it is final that | am Dismissed"
But his .pnseemly haste in sending
this Hote-itS infamous, that's what
call it, infarnous"
And you mean. to take Fran in my
place, do you not?"
You see," Gregory explained, Bob
Clinton came back to town this even
ing from Springfield. you understand,
and Abbott came with him-er--and
Mrs. Gregory was: in the room so they
could not speak exactly openly and
Abbott made the condition. can hard
ly explain so delicate an affair Of
of business-but you see, Bob is evil
IDENTIFY very much in love with you,
and he has if in his power to de-
mand-"
Grace Calmly waited for the other
to lapse into uncertain silence. then
said This note tells me definitely
that | am offered another position,
but you tell me nothing 1t was who
sent Mr. Clinton to Springfield to look
into the private record of that Fran. y
You see Gregory explained" he was
afraid | might think it presumptous
of him to do that. it was like doubling
my word, so he came to me-however,
he is back and there is nothing to re-
veal. absolutely nothing to reveal"
rs he sure. that the girl is no i'm
postor?'
He knows she isn't. His pockets
are full of proofs. know you sent
Bob on my account, Grace, but alas
Fran is a reality-she can't be dis
missed"
Z 1T seems | can be. But, of course,
/ am nothing"
Grace! You are everything"
She laughed. Everything! At the
word of an Abbot Ashton, disgraced
school-teacher, you make me less than
nothing
He cried out impetuously. Shall l
tell you why we must part?
Grace returned with a somber look,
so Fran is to have my place"
Gregory interposed passionately, 1T
is because | love YOU"
so Fran is to be your secretary
she persisted.
Grace, you have read my heart. |
have read yours; we thought we could
associate in safety, after that-but
am weak You never came into the
room that | am not thrilled with rap
ture. Life hasn't any brightness for
me except your presence. What can
do but protect you?'
MIR. Gregory, Fran hasn't any in
tereSt in your work.
II love YOU Grace adore you.
Beautiful darling-don't you see you
must go away because you are so in
expressibly precious to me? That's
why | mustn't have you under my
roof" He sank upon his knees and
caught her hand See me at your
feet-should this thing be-"
Grace coldly withdrew her hand.
in spite of all you say. you have en-
gagged Fran in nv place"