The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-09-18


proves what l said, about her empty
ing ter friends, about taking their set
ere&s from them even without their
I knowing she's doing 1t. I said to hef,
sharp and quick, What have you betsK
! saying about mo. Miss Noir? Ea~
said-T understand from Processes
Ashton that you are not young gtrs
at all, but a masquerader of at least
eighteen years. answered-'Being
masquerader of at least thirty-five,
you should have found that out, your
SELF I hardly think she's thirty-five;
it wasn't a fair blow, but you have to
fight Indians in the brush. Then your
friend said, Professor Ashton informs
me that you are a circus-girl. Don't
you think you've strayed too far from
the tent? she asked. l said-'Oh,
brought the show with me; Professor
Ashton is my advance advertising
| agent Then she said that If I'd
leave, Mr.. Gregory need never know
that I'm an impostor But l told her
no tickets are going to be returned.
l said-'This show absolutely takes
place, rain or shine"
Fran" said Abbott in distress, Il
want to talk this overcome here in
the yard where you're not so con-
spicuous.'
"Show-girls ought to be conspicu-
| Gus. No, sir, | stay right here in the
glaring moonlight. 1t doesn't call for
| darkness to tell me anything that is
on your mind, Professor"
Fran, you can't hold me responsible
for what Miss Grace guessed | tell
you, she guessed everything. was
trying to defend you-suddenly she
saw through it all. l don't know how
it was-maybe Mrs. Gregory can ex-
plain, as she's a woman. You shall
not deem me capable of adding an
atom to your difficulties. You shall
feel that I'm your friend while we're
together and after we part You must
believe me when l tell you that need
your SMILE" His voice trembled with
sudden tenderness.
She looked at him searchingly, then
her face relaxed to the eve of revo-
to get glimpse of, all the times you
parade the street In front of our
house?"
Abbott declared, "You!" In mute
appeal he held out his hand.
You're a weak brother, but here"
And she slipped her hand into his.
"If she'd been in conversation with
me, | wouldn't have let her have any
presentiments. 1t takes talent to keep
from telling what you know, but gen.
ius to keep the other fellow from
guessing. What hate about 1t is, that
the very next time you fall into her
hands, you'll be at her mercy. If
told you scheme I've been devislng,
she'd take 1t from you in broad day
light. She can always prove she's
right, because she has the verse for
it-and 10 deny her is to deny Inspira-
ton. And If she had her way-she
thinks I'm a sort of dissipation
there'd be a national prohibition of
Fran"
IF there we're a national prohibition
of Fran, I'd be the first to smuggle
you in somehow, little :Nonpareil.
Isn't 1t something for me to have TAX
en- you on trust as / have, from the
very beginning?"
His brown eyes were so earnest that
Fran stepped into the shadow. TITS
more than something, Abbott. Your
trust is about all 1 have. It's just
like me to be wanting more than l
have. I'm going to confide in you
my scheme Let's talk it over in whis-
pers." They put their heads together.
Tomorrow, Grace Noir is going to
the city with Bob Clinton to select mu-
sic for the choir-he doesn't know
any more about music than poor Uncle
lobe Fuller, but you see. he's still
alive. 1t will be the first day she's
been off the place since l came. While
she's away, mean to make my grand
effort"
"At what, Little Wonder?"
cat driving her away for good. I'm
going to offer myself as secretary, and
with her out of sight, Pm hoping to
win the day."
But she's been his secretary for five
years-is it reasonable he'd give her
up? And would it be honorable for
you to work against her in that way?
Besides, Fran, she is really necessary
to Mr. Gregory's great charity enter
prises-"
"The more reason for getting rid of
her"
CTO BE CONTINUED.)
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