The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-12
lion: Have you talked with old Mrs.
J0ffnra0n ahONt-ohouf ft ~

ton: Have you talked with old Mrs.
Jefferson about-about itr
She's too proud--wouldn't admit Il.
But I've shyly hinted however.
it's not the sort Of story you could
pour through the funnel OF an ear
trumpet without getting wheat mixed
with chaf. She'd misunderstand-ths
neighbors would set 1t first--anyway
she wouldn't make move because her
daughter won't It's you and /, Alb
bott, against Grace and Mr.. Gregory"
He murmured, looking away, "You
take me for granted, Fran"
Yes" Fran's reply was almost Z
whisper. A sudden terror of what he
might think Of her, smote her heart.
But she repeated braveiy, "Yes!"
he turned, and she saw in his eyes
confiding trust that seemed to
hedge her soul about. "And you can
always take me for granted, Fran: and
always is a long time"
Not too long for you and me-" said
Fran, looking at him breathlessly.
Il may have felt" he said, "for some
time, In a vague way, what you have
told me. OF course it is evident that
he prefers Miss Noir's society. But
have always thought-or hoped-or
wanted to feel, that it was only the
common tie of religion"
1T was not the truth that Won
clung to, Abbott, but appearances. As
for me. let truth kill rather than live
as a sham. II Grace Noir stays, the
worst is going to happen. She may
not know how far she's going. He
may not suspect he's doing wrong
People can make anything they want
seem right in their own eyes. But I've
found out that wickedness isn't sta
uonary. it's got sort OF perpetual
motion. II we don't drive Grace away.
the crash will come"
"Fran--how you must love Mrs.
Gregory!"
She breaks my heart"
Dear faithful Fran! What can we
oo!-i say we, Fran, observe"
"Oh. you Abbott Ashton lust
what thought you! No. no. you
mustn't interrupt. I'll manage Grace
Noiri If you'll manage Bob Clinton"
Where does Bob Clinton come in ?"
Grace is trying to open a door 80
ne can come In. I mean a secret in
Mr. Gregory's past. She suspects that
there's secret in his past, and she
intends to send Bob to Springfield
where Mr.. Gregory left that secret.
Bob will bring 1t to Littleburg. He'll
hand it over to Grace, and then she'll
have Mr.. Gregory in her power
therell be no getting her hands of
him, after that"
Surely you don't mean that Mr..
Gregory did wrong when he was
young, and that Miss Noir suspects
it?"
Bob will bring home the secret
and it will kill Mrs. Gregory, Abbott
and Grace will 60 off with him
know how it'll end"
What Is this secret"
You are never to know, Abbott" +"
Very well-so be it. But I don't
believe Mr.. Gregory ever did very
wrong-he is too good q man."
Isn't he daily breaking his wife's
heart?" retorted Fran with q curl of
the lip. II call that murder"
But still!-But can't think he
realizes It,"
"Then," said Fran satirically, "weIl
just call it manslaughter. When I
think OF his wife's meek patient face
don't you recall that look In her
eyes of the wounded deer-and the
thousands Of times you've seen those
two together, at church, on the street,
in the library-everywhere
seeing only each other, leaning closer,
smiling deeper-as IL doing good
meant getting close-Oh, Abbott, you
know what mean-don't you, don't
you?"
"Yes!" cried Abbott sharply. Fran,
you are right. I have been-all of us