Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-10-16
CHAPTER vll.-cnntlnued.

In the meantime old Mrs. Jefferson
had been looking on with absorbed
attention, desperately seeking to tri-
umph over her enemy, a deaf demon
that for years had taken possession Of
her. Now. with an impatient hand,
she bent her wheel-chair to her daugh-
ter's side and proffered her ear trum-
pet.
Mother" Mrs. Gregory called
through this ebony c%onnector Of souls,
This is Fran Derry, the daughter Of
Mr.. Gregory's dear friend, one he used
to know in New York, many years be-
fore he came to Littleburg. Fran Is
an orphan, and needs a home. We
have asked her to live with u.s."
Mrs. Jefferson did not always hear
Alright, but she always responded with
as much spirit as if her hearing were
never in doubt. And what I'd like
to know" she cried, lis what you are
asking her to give u.s."
Grace Noir came forward with quiet
resolution. Let me speak to your
"OehSlB ShS odlu W MTS.
Mrs. Gregory handed her the tube,
somewhat surprised, since Grace made
lit a point of conscience seldom to talk
10 the old lady. When Grace Noir
d~isapproved Of any one, she did not
think 1t right to conceal that fact.
Since Mrs. Jefferson absolutely re-
fused to attend religious services, al
leging as excuse that she could not
hear the sermon, refusing to offer I'D
the sacrifice of her 1eshly presence
as an example to others-Grace disap-
proved most heartily.
Mrs. Jefferson held her head to the
trumpet shrinkingly, as if afraid Of
getting her ear tickled.
Grace spoke quietly, but distinctly,
as she indicated Fran-"You know
how hard it is to get a good servant in
L~ittleburg." Then she returned the
ear trumpet. That was all she had to
say.
Fra. looked at Mr.. Gregory.
He bit his lip, hoping it might go
at that.
The old lady was greatly al sea.
Much as she disliked the secretary,
her news was grateful. BE sure to
~'stipulate.' she said briskly, "about
wheeling me around in the garden.
The last one wasn't told in the begin
ming, and had to be paid extra, every
time | took the air. There's nothing
like an understanding at the begin
ming"
Fran walked up to Grace Noir and
shook back her hair in the way that
Grace particularly disliked. She said:
Nothing like an understanding at the
beginning; yes, the old lady's right.
Good thing to know what the trouble
is, 30 Wen know how it'll hit us. l
guess I'm the trouble for this house,
but I'm going to hit it as the daugh-
ter Of an old friend, and not as a serv-
ant. I'm just about as independent as
Patrick Henry, Miss Noir. I'm not re-
sponsible for being born, but it's my
outlook to hold on to my equality"
"Fran!" exclaimed Mrs. Gregory,
dn mild reproof. w.
va Grace looked at Mrs. Gregory and
nothing could have exceeded the saint
Illness Of her expression Insulted, she
was enjoying to the full her pious sat
dsfaction Of martyrdom.
Dear Mrs. Gregory" said Fran
kindly, Ppm sorry to have to do this,
hut it isn't as if you were adopting
"a pennlless orphan. I'm adopting a
home. / want to belong TO somebody,
and I want people to feel that they
have something when they have me-"
Il reckon they'll know they've got
something" remarked Simon Jeffer-