Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-11-21

Z
duty-for the choir was n the throes
I of a solo.
Abbott, as il hypnotiZsd by what he
| had seen, slowly entered the audltori-
UNI. Fran's keen eyes discovered hin.
and her face showed elfsh mischief
Grace, following Fran's eyes, found
| the cause of the odd smile, and beck
oned to Abbott Hamilton Gregory,
| following Grace's Chancellor he saw
no one but her at the practices. since
she inspired him with deepest ferYor-
felt suddenly as il he had lost some
thing; he had often experienced the
same sensation on seeing Grace ap-
preached by some unattached gentle
man.
Grace motionsd to Abbott to sit be
side her, with . concentration OF at
tention that showed her purpose of
reaching a definite goal unsupported
by the other.
I'm so glad Fran has taken a place
in the choir" Abbott whispered to
Grace. And look at Simon Jefferson
who'd have thought it,"
Grace looked at Simon Jefferson;
she also looked at Fran, but her COM
pressed lips and reproving eye ex-
pressed none OF Abbott's gladness.
However, she responded with-"I am
so glad you are here, Professor Ash
ton. for I'm in trouble, and can't de-
eide which way 1t is my duty to turn.
VIII you help me? ! am going to
trust you-it is a matter relating to Mr..
Gregory"
Abbott was pleased that she should
think him competent to advise her re-
specting her duty; at the same time
he regretted that her confidence re-
lated to Mr. Gregory.
Professor Ashton" she said softly,
docs my position as hired secretary
to Mr.. Gregory carry with 1t the obi
!, CATION to warn him of any misconduct
!, In his householder"
The solo was dying away, and, sweet
and low, it fell from heaven like man
ma upon his soul, blending divinely
with the secretary's voice. Her ex-
preston hired" sounded like a tragic
] note-to think of one so beautiful, so
meek, SO surrounded by mellow hymn
notes, being hired!
You hesitate to advise me, before
you know ALL" she said, "and you are
right. In a moment the choir will be
. singing louder, and we can all talk to-
gether. Mrs. Gregory should be con.
suited, too"
Grace, conscious of doing all that
one could in consulting Mrs. Gregory,
too" looked toward the choir loft
and smiled into Hamilton Gregory's
eyes. How his baton. inspired by that
smile, cut magic runes in the air!
Mrs. Gregory" Grace said in low
voice, Il suppose Professor Ashton is
so surprised at seeing you in church
II has been more than five months
hasn't It? that I'm afraid he
isn't thinking about what I'm saying.
Mrs. Gregory could not help feeling
:, in the way, because her husband
seemed to share Grace's feeling. In
stinctively she turned to her mother
! and laid her hand on the invalid's
arm
4 They amt bothering me, Lucy,
: said the old lady, alertly. II CAM
hear their noise, and when l shut my
: eyes ! can't see their motions"
v 81 have something to tell you both.
Grace said solemnly. Last night,
+ couldn't sleep, and that made me sen
sitive to noises. ! thought l heard
some one slipping from the house jus
as the clock struck half-past eleven.
seemed Incredible, for / knew II 1
were anyone, It was that Fran, and
r didn't think even she would do that"
/. H. was as if Abbott had suddenly
s raised a window in a raw wind. Hi
4 temperature descended. The other
o manner of saying That Fran" oh
e scured his glass Of the future.
r Mrs. Gregory said quickly, Fra
y leave the house at half-past eleven
o Impossible"
g How do you know" Abbott asked
g that Fran left the house at such
time of the night?" The question wa
e unfair since II suggested denial. bu
n his feeling for Fran seemed to call 70
" unfairness to Grace.
, 81 will tell you." Grace responded
r with the distinctness of one in power
p AT the time, told myself that evel
e Fran would not do that But, a lon
D time afterward, heard another sound