Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-12-26
CHAPTER XVI.
A Tanner Of Lions.

The life Of household progresses
usually by insensible gradations, to
ward some great event, some climax
for the building Of which each day has
furnished its grain of sand Today
Hamilton Gregory and Grace Noil
were in the library. with nothing tC
indicate the approach of the great mo
ment in their lives. It was Grace's
impotence to drive Fran away even
before Robert Clinton should brins
the secret from Springfield, that pre-
cipitated matters.
May / speak to you, Mr.. Gregory ?"
She rose from the typewriter, slightly
pale from sudden resolution.
Gregory never missed a movement
Of his secretary, but now he lifted his
head ostensibly, to make his observa-
ton official.
It's about Mr.. Clinton" said Grace
In a low voice, feeling her way to that
Fran"
He laid down his pen with a trown.
Suddenly Eis missions in New York
and Chicago became dead weights.
Why Grace's Mr.. Clinton" instead of
her customary Brother Clinton?" It
seemed to equip the school director
with formidable powers. Gregory has
tened to put him where he belonged.
"oh! Something about Bob?" he
asked casually.
Her look was steady, her voice
humble: Yes"
Her humility touched him profound.
ly. Knowing how unshakable were
her resolutions, he made a desperate
attempt to divert her mind: That is
settled. Miss Grace, and it's too late
now to alter the decision, for tie
school board has already voted US a
new superintendent-he has been sent
his notification. Abbott Ashton is out
OF 1t, and it's all his fault. Bob was
the only one to stand up for him. but
ne wasn't strong enough to hold his
friend above the wave of popular opin-
lon. Don't ask me to interview Bob
for Abbott Ashton"
Grace calmly waited for this fuulity
to pass; then with an air suggesting
Now, shall we talk sensibly?" she re-
'umed: Il approve the action of the
school board. 1t did we'll in dismiss |
ng Professor Ashton. May ask about |
Mr.. Clinton? He urges me to marry |
him at once"
"Nonsense!" he exclaimed
1T is not nonsense" Grace calmly
He thinks could make
linn a better man. We would work
Lmong the very poor in the Chicago
settlements; maybe in one of your
'Wn missions. l often wonder if I
couldn't do more good by personal
'ontact with evil, than / can here
With person like Fran always clog
ing my efforts"
He started up. Grace! You 20
way?-And-and leave me and INV
york;"
Let Fran fill my position. You
hink she's the daughter of your boy
God friend-it would give her posi-
lon and independence"
NO one can ever fill your place"
Iregory claimed, with violence. His
heeks burned, lambert flames
leaned in his brown eyes. The eff.
ect was startlingly beautiful. At such
xalted moments, thinking no evil he
ause ceasing to think, grown all feel ,
lg' and 1t but an infinite longing. the
low OF passion refined his face al ,
avs delicately sensitive. The vision 8
Grace. in giving herself to another
Ike devouring fire consumed those I
'mporary supports that held him ,
oove the shifting sands of his inner ;
ature.
Grace! But Grace! You wouldn't 7
AIRY him!" =
Because she found his beauty appeal. y
g to her as never before, her voice
as the colder: "Anyone's place can =.
, filed"
You don't care!" he cried out des- .
,rately. :
For Mr.. Clinton? Yes, l admire his h
in seeking God. and hts
lsh to work for mankind. God comes /"
sier to some than to others. and
lieve I could help"
gregory. aghast at her measured .
ne, interrupted: But I mean ,hot n
u don't care-dont care for me
For-" she began abruptly. tner q
ueo IN an odd whisper. for your" g,
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