The Washington herald., 1913-04-06

ory's eyes. How his baton, inspired
by that smile, cut magic runes in the
air! An anthem rose buoyantly,J COW
ering the ensuing conversation with its
mantle of sound.
Mrs. Gregory" Grace said in a
low voice, Il suppose Prof. Ashton is
so surprised at seeing you in church.
it has been more than five months,
hasn't it! that I'm afraid he
isn't thinking about what I'm saying
She paused as if to ask why the other
was there-as if she were an inter-
loper, who, having by absence forfeited
to claim them. Not only Grace's tone,
but her very attitude seemed to ask,
why is this woman here?"
Mrs. Gregory could not help feeling
in the way, because her husband seem-
ed to share Grace's feeling. Instinc-
lively she turned to her mother and
laid her hand on the invalids arm.
They amt bothering me, Lucy,
said the old lady, alertly. 81 can't hear
their noise, and when shut my eyes
| can't see their motions"
Il have something to tell you both,
Grace said solemnly. Last night,
couldn't sleep, and that made me SEN
sItive to noises. | thought | heard
some one slipping from the house just
as the clock struck half-past eleven 1t
seemed incredible, for | knew if ii
were any one, it was that Fran, and
| didn't think even she would do that. y
1t was as if Abbott had suddenly
raised a window in a raw wind. His
temperature descended. The others
manner of saying, That Fran" OBJ
scured his glass of the future.
Mrs. Gregory said quickly, Fran
leave the house at half-past eleven
Impossible"
Grace smiled unpleasantly. Believ-
ing Fran, possibly an impostor, GER
tainly disturbing element, it was her
duty to drive her from her employers
house; but however pure and noble
her disapproval, Grace could not speak
of the orphan without a tone or look
suggesting mere spite
How do you know" Abbott asked
that Fran left the house at such a
time OF the night?" The question was
unfair since it suggested denial, but his
feeling for Fran seemed to call fol
unfairneSs to Grace.
Il will tell YOU" Grace responded
with the distinctness of one in power
AT the time, | told myself that ever
Fran would not do that But, long
from the yard. | went to my window
| looked out The moon was bright
but there was very dark shadow
about the front gate. heard voices
One was that of Fran. The other was
the voice of" her tone vibrated ir
its intensity-"the voice of a man."
1T was not Fran's voice." Mrs
Gregory declared earnestly.
What man was it" Abbott in.
quired, rather resentfully.
Il do not know. | wish now, thai
l had called out" responded Grace
paying no heed to Mrs. Gregory. THAI
is where | made my mistake The mar
got away. Fran came running into the
house, and closed the door as softly
as she could-after she'd unlocked il
from the outside! | concluded il
would be best to wait till morning, be.
fore | said word. So this morning
before breakfast, | strolled in the yard
| went to the gate, and there on the
grass-what do you suppose | found ?
Abbott was bewildered. What Sc
rious consequences was Grace about tc
evolve from the bridge romance?
Mrs. Gregory listened. pale with ap,
prehension
1T was card" Grace said, witt
awful significance, "a gambling card
AS long as l have lived in the house
nobody ever dared to bring a caro-
there. Mrs. Gregory will tell you the
same. But that Fran She haC
been playing cards out there at mid
highland with a man.
Il cannot think so,' said Mrs. Greg
DRY firmly.
After making tip my mind what tc
do" continued Grace evenly, Il tool
her aside. | told her what | had seer
and heard | gave her back her card
But how can we be sure she will not
do it again? That is what troubles me
Ought'nt | to tell Mr. Gregory, so {
scandal can be avoided?"
Abbott looked blankly at Fran, who
was singing with all her might She
caught his look, and closed her eyes
Abbott asked weakly. What did SHE
say?"
Grace answered, "She denied it, Of
course-said She hadn't been playing
cards with anybody. hadn't dropped the
card l found, and wouldn't even admit
that she'd been with a man. If l tel
Mr. Gregory about her playing cards
with a man at that hour, l don't be-