The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-12-10


Gregory missed her every minute of
the day. and the harder Fran tried to
NIL her place. the more he resented Il.
Fran was separated from his sympar
thies by the chasm In his own soul.
The time came when Gregory felt
that he must see Grace again and be
alone with her. At frst. he had
thought they must not meet apart
from the world; but by the end d,
the week. he was wondering what ex.
cuse he could offer to induce her TO
meet him-not at Miss Sapphira's, =,
whore she now boarded, not at the
grocery where Bob was always hover
ing about-but somewhere remote,
somewhere safe, where they might
talk about-but he had no idea of the
conversation that might ensue; there
was nothing definite In anything save
his nxed thought Of being with her.
A to any harm. there could bs none.
He had 20 long regarded Grace 40 tho
best woman In the world. that even
after the day Of kisses. his mind con-
tinued In its inertia of faith-exen the
gravitation OF material facts was un-
able to check its sublime course.
Il was the close Of . July day that
Hamilton Gregory left his house 10.
solved. at any cost--savs that of ex.
posure--to experience once more the
only pleasure life held In reserve for
him: nearness TO Grace Noir. She
might b at the store, since all shops
were 10 remain open late. In hopes Of
rsaping sordid advantages from the
gaisty of mankind. In Q word. Little.
burg was In the grip Of IT. nrst street
fair.
Before going downtown. Gregory
strollcd casually within sight Of the
Clinton clearinghouse. Only Miss
Sapphirs was on the green vsranda.
Mss sapphira, recognizing Gregory.
waved . solemn greeting. and he felt
reassured-for he was always afraid
Robert would tell" He pushed his
way nearer.
ia Miss Noir heref- Gregory asked
IN strained voice; the confusion hid
the odd catch his voice had suffered
in getting over the name.
No. She's down-town--but not at
Any shcH. you may be surs, She's left
late 1t the store because--I guess
you've heard Abbott Ashton has been
avay . long time"
i have heard nothing Of tho young
man." Gregory replied stifiy.
We'll. he's been OF two or three
weeks somewhere. nobody knows un-
les it's Bob. and Bob won't tell any
thing any moro Abbott wrote he'd
bs home tonight. and Bob drove over
to simmtown to meet him In the sur.
rey. 20 Miss Grace n alone down
there-" She nodded ponderously.
"Alone!" he exclaimed involuntarily.
~Yes-I look for Bob and Abbott
now just any minute" She added.
eying the crowd-"T saw Fran on the
street, long and merry ago!" Her ac-
cent was that Of condemnation. Like
a rock she sat. letting the tickle pop-
ulace drift by to minstrel show and
snake den. Tho severity Of her double
chin said they might all 20 thither-
she would not.
This was also Gresory's point of
view; and even In his Joy at finding
the coast clear. he paused TO say, 'T
am sorry that Fran seems to have lost
all reason over this carnival company.
IL she would show half as much inter.
est In her souls welfare"
Ho lsp~ tho sD0k~r~~
thought OF Grace had grown supreme
1t soemed to illuminate some wide
and splendid road into q glorious fu.
ture.
The bookkeeper's desk was In a gal
lery near the ceiling OF the Clinton
grocery store: one looked thence,
through a picketfence. down upon the
only moor. Doubtless Grace, thus look
fng. saw him coming. When he reached
her side. he was breathless, partly
from the struggle through the masses,
principally from excitement Of fancied
security.
She was posting UP the ledger. and
made no sign Of recognition until he
called her name.
Mr.. Clinton is not here" she said
remotely. "Can I do anything for
your
He admired her calm courtesy. II
at the same time she could have been
reserved and yielding he would have
round the impossible combination per-
rect Because II was impossible, he
WAS determined to preserve her an
seiic purity In imagination. and to re-
store her vomanly charm TO actual
being.
How can you receive me % coldly, {"
he said impulsiveiy. when I've not
seen you for weeks
You sec me at church." she an
svered impersonaiiy.
Hut have been dying to be near
you. to talk 10 you"
"Stop!" she held up her hand. ~You
should know that Mr.. Clinton and I
are--"
-Gracel" he eroaned.