The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-22


Mrs. Gregory passed on her way,
and when she reached the farther enc
OF the hall, an old hymn which she
had been humming, broke into audible
words Fran snatched the sheet from
the typewriter. and bent her head to
listen. The words were soft, full of 4
thrilling faith. dauntless courage
still all my song shall b
Nearer my God to Thee.
Nearer
door closed. She was gone. Cree.
ory dropped his head with a groan.
IL seemed to Fran that the voice Of
MIS- wife who was not q wife, fingered
In the room. The hymn. no longer
audible. had left behind 1t fragrance,
@ sometimes fingers the sweet SAVIOR
OF prayer, after Its "amcn" has, as 1t
were. dropped back into the heart
whence II issued. Fran instinctively
held out both arms toward the direc-
ton OF the door just closed. as II she
could see Mrs. Gregory kneeling be
hind Il.
Almost" she said. In q solemn un-
dertone. thou persuadest me to be a
Christian"
Had anyone but Mrs. Gregory been
singing that hymn. had anyone but
Fran been the one to intrude upon the
library scene. Grace must have been
overwhelmed. As II was. she stood
quite untouched. resolving to stay In
order to prove herself, and to show
Gregory that they must sacrifice their
love for conscience sake.
Gregory. however, was deeply
touched by Fran's yearning arms. He
rose aid stood before her. Fran.
child. we promise that what you saw
shall never happen again. But you
,nustn't tell about II. know you won't
tell. can't send Grace away. because
] need her. She will not 60 becauss
she knows herself to be strong. We
are going to hide our souls. And you
can't tell what you've seen, on &C.
count Of her" He pointed In the di.
rection OF his wife.
Fran knew very well what he meant.
II she told the secret. It would dis
GFAce Mrs. Gregory. The revelation
Night drive Grace away. though Fran
did not think 30. but certainly whether
Grace vent. or stayed. 1t would break
the heart Of the one she loved best In
that home. Gregory was right; Fran
csuld never betray him.
She turned blindly upon Grace:
Then have yor no conscience ?-you
are always talking about one. Does no
sense of danger warn you awayi Can't
you feel any shame?"
Grace did not smile contemptuously.
She weighed those words at their real
value. and soberly interTogated her.
self. NO." she declared with DELHI
Grafton. Il feel no sense of danger be-
cause mean to guard myself after
this. And my conscience bids me
stay. to show that I have not really
done anything" But she could not
deny tue feeling Of shame. for the
burning OF her cheeks proved the
recollection Of hot kisses.
But suppose I tell what I have
seen."
WELL" said Grace. flashing out de-
hantly. "and suppose you dol"
Gregory muttered: who would be-
lieve your"
Fran looked at him. Then" she
said. "the coward spoke" She added:
II guess the only way is for you to
make her leave. There's nothing In
her for me to appeal to-"
II will never tell her to co." he az.
sured her denantly.
While. on the contrary" said
Grace. II fancy you will be put to flight
In three or four days"
Fran threw back her head and
laughed silently while they stared at
her In blank perplexity.
Fran regained composure to say
cooliy. II was just laughing" Then
she stepped to her fathers chair and
handed him the sheet she had drawn
from the typewriter. The upper part
was an unfinished letter to the Chica-
90 mission. just as Grace had left II
In her haste to get rid OF Fran. At
ODD variance with It's philanthropic
message were the words Fran had
pounded out for the deception of Mrs.
Gregory.
Hamilton Gregory glared at them
at hrst uncomprehendingly. then In
growing amazement. They read
Ask her why she sent Bob Clinton
TO Springfield"
He started up. what is thIs." he
exclaimed wildly. extending the paper
toward Grace.
She read IL and smiled coldly. yes"
she said. "the little spy has even fer
reted that out. has she! Very well,
she won't he so cool when Mr.. Clinton
returns from Springfield"
From Springfield" echoed Gregory
aghast.
From Springfield. Mr.. Gregory. I