The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-05-04


time drawing a little farther away
from the man he despised: bob has
been to Springfield. about that matter,
you understand"
|. mo, l don't" cried Gregory. 'Or
if | do-tell it out-all of it."
"He has been to Springfield" Abbott
| went on. "and he got on the inside
of the business, and the interests are
determined that-that they will re-
taliate on You for your successes in
the past, and at the same time be a
+, help to Bob
Il don't understand" Gregory gasped
blankly.
ME neither" muttered Robert.
! ITS very simple" Abbott main
tanned. The Springfield interests
want to give you blow, and give
Bob a helping hand. Therefore, you
are to transfer your secretary to his
store, where bookkeeper is needed"
''Oh, indeed" interposed Grace Noir
icily' 81 am mere pawn, | presume,
to be sent where | am wanted. But
| would like to ask Mr. Clinton if he
found out anything about Fran, while
he was in Springfield"
Fran is all she claims to be-" Rob-
ert declared bluntly.
"All? You can prove she's no
fraud?"
"My pockets are full of proofs" Rob-
ert exclaimed, looking significantly at
Gregory.
Dear Franz" murmured Mrs. Greg
ory with a sweet smile of Renaissance.
Abbott" Mr.. Gregory gasped, as he
began to realize the compromise that
was offered. you have always been
my friend-and you have been inter
ested in my charities-you know how
important my secretary is to my work.
1t is true that | did wrong, years ago
very wrong-it is true that | bitter
ly-what shall ! say?-antagonized the
interests at Springfield. But that was
so long ago. Am | to be punished
now"
"Mr. Gregory" said Abbott, clearly
and forcibly, Il have nothing to do
with any punishment have nothing
to do with demanding the release of
your secretary. ! am mere agent of
the interests, sent to you to demand
that your secretary be dismissed in the
way to promise me now that you will
dismiss her, my Office is ended. If you
can promise to send her away, | give
you my word the transactions shall
be forever hushed up, so far as we
are concerned. If you cannot prom
Use, all will be revealed at once
I'm just ten minutes, said Robert
Clinton, consulting his watch.
Grace stood looking at Gregory as
if turned to stone She had listened
intently to every word as it fell from
Abbott's lips, but not once had she
turned her head to look at him.
You are cruel" Gregory fared out,
you are heartlcss. If l send away
the only one who is in perfect knowl-
elge and sympathy with my work
Then YOU refuse?"
''Of course | refuse. III not permit
the work of years to perish because
of an unreasonable and preposterous
demand. You wouldn't exchange your
position here for Bob's grocery, would
YOU, Miss Grace" he ended appeal
ingly.
"Yes-if you dismiss me-" Grace
answered, her eyes smoldering.
"Lncyr-Gregory was almost beside
himself-"tell her she must stay-tell
these men we cannot go on with our
work, without her
Not for worlds would Mrs. Gregory
have betrayed eagerpess Tor Grace to
go, but for no consideration would she
have asked her to stay. Mr. Greg
ory," she responded, Il cannot con-
ceive of your being in the power of
business interests to such an extent
as to drive you to do anything that
seems like taking your hearts blood"
Il refuse" cried Gregory, again
of course | refuse"
Very WE'LL" said Abbott, turning.
But what are you going to do:"
Gregory aske shrinkingly.
Il shall go now; my endeavor to
straighten ont things-or rather to
keep everything peaceful and forgot
ter-comes to Sothing, it seems. Good
evening, Mrs. Gregory"
But wait! Wait! Let US discuss
this alone"
IT is useless now, for the time has
expired. y 80
That's right" Clinton confirmed,
clicking to his watch.
anu dill VI IL Is SoiiiS 10 pc told.
Everything?'
Unless you will dismiss your secre-
tary"
But you insult Miss Grace to
speak in that way Good heavens, Abb
bot, what are you doing? How can
you insult that-the best woman in the
world? ~
There was moments silence. Then
Mrs. Gregory turned to her husband