The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-10-25
lcopynS6t' igls, Bo55s- Hsrrsii CO..

lher aside. i told her what had seen
and heard. gave her back her card.
But how can We be sure she will not
DO II againf That 10 what troubles me.
Oughtnt I to tell Mr.. Gregory, 90 q
scandal can be svoidedr'
Abbott looked blankly at Fran, who
was singing with al her might. She
caught his look, and closed her eyes.
Abbot asked weakly: ~what did she
sayr'
Grace answered: "She denied It, of
course--said she hadn't been playing
cards with anybody. hadn't dropped
the card found. and wouldn't even ad-
init thai shed been with q man. II I
tell Mr.. Gregory about her playing
cards with man at that hour, don't
believe he viii think he ought to keep
her longer. even II abe does claim to
be his friends daughter"
But you tell u.s." Mrs. Gregory In.
tsrposed swiftly. that she said she
hadn't been playing cards."
she said!" Grace echoed unpleas-
antly. "she saidi"
That card you found" began Alb
bot guiltily. was II the king of
hetrtsf" Possibly he had dropped Il
nom his pocket when leaning over the
gate to But why had he leaned over
ths satsf
Grace coldly answered, II DO not
Know one card from another"
Let me uy To describe IT,"
hope you cannot describe the card
found" said Grace, the presentimsnt
that she was.on the eve OF discoveries
giving her eyes . starllke directness.
Il suspect / dropped that card over
the fence" he confessed, ''for I had
the king OF heartS and last night,
about that time was standing at the
gate"
"oh." Grace exclaimed. disagreeably
surprised. Il did not know that you
play cards. Professor Ashton. Do you
also attend the dancesi Surely you
haven't been dancing and playing
cards very lonsr
Not for great while" responded
ABBOTT With tie ohstinacy Of . good
conscience wronsfully accused.
Only since Fran came. am sure"
sne said. feeling him escaping. She
looked at him with something like
scorn. inspired by righteous indigna.
ton that such az he could be infiu-
euced BY Fran. That look wrought
havoc with the halo he had 90 long
olinked ut. as Il swung above her head.
Does that mean." he inquired. with
steady look. that you imagine Fran
has led me into bad habits?"
Il trust the habits are not fixed"
rather tontemptuously. IL hardly
think you mean to desert the church.
and lose your position at school, for
the sake of--of that Fran"
Il hardly think 20. either" returned
Abbott. And now Ia better 70 to my
school work"
Fran In imprudent." said Mrs. Greg
ory. In distress. but her heart Ia pure
gold. don't know what all this means,
but when have hadsa talk with her"
Don't 10. Professor Ashton" inter
posed Grace. as he started up. until
you advise me. Shall tell Mr.. Greg
oryf Or shall I conceal II on the as
snrances that It will never happen
AGAIN.
Abbott seated himself with sudden
persaasiveness. Conceal 1t, Miss
Grace. conceal iti" he urged.
IF you will frankly explain what
happsned--here before Mrs. Gregory,
% she can have the real truth. we will
never betray the secret. Rut IL You
cannot tell everything, I shall feel 1t
my duty don't know how Mrs. Greg
ory feels about it-but must tell Mr..
Gregory"
II would rather watt" said Mrs.
Gregory. "and talk to Fran. She will
promise me anything. trust you, Alb
bott; know you would never lead my
little girl into vrons-doing. Leave II
all to me. will have good talk with,
Fran"
And" said Abbott eagerly, IF We
both solemnly promise"
Grace bit her lip. His I'VE" con.
demned him.
i don't ask you to hide the affair on
my account" he said, holding up his
head. i don't want Fran put In an
unjust Hight. She isnt to be judged
like other people,
Oh" nurmured Grace. "then you
think thens is moro than one standard
OF rishtf I don't There's one God
and one right. No. ] cannot consent:
what might satisfy Mrs. Gregory might
not seem best 10 me. No. professor
" you fsol that you cannot explain
what saw. last night. I shall feel
obliged to tell Mr.. Gregory as soon as
the choir practice ends"
Didn't Fran refuse to tellf" Abbott
temporised.
YES" was the skilful response: but
her reticence must have been to save
you. for the girl never seems ashamed
OF anything she does. imagine she