The state herald., 1913-11-28
could see Mrs. Gregory kneeling be-

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 1t 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 and stood before her. Fran.
child, We promise that what you saw
shall never happen again. But you
mustn't tell about it. know you won't
tell. cant send Grace away. because
| need her She will not go because
she knows herself to be strong. We
are going to hide our souls. And you
can't tell what you've seen. on ac-
count of her" He pointed in the d.
rection of his wife.
Fran knew very well what he meant.
II she told the secret. 1t would dis
grace Mrs. Gregory. The revelations
might drive Grace away. though Fran
did not think SO, but certainly whether
Grace went, or stayed, It would break
the heart of the one she loved best in
that home. Gregory was right: Fran
could never betray him.
She turned blindly upon Grace:
Then have you no conscience?-yov
are always talking about one. Does no
sense of danger warn you away? Can't
you feel any shame?"
Grace did not smile contemptuously.
She weighed these words at their rea,
value, and soberly interrogated her
self. NO" she declared with delib-
Grafton. Il feel no sense of danger be-
cause mean to guard myself after
this. And my conscience bids me
stay. TO show that | have not really
done anything But she could not
deny the feeling of shame. for the
burning of her cheeks proved the
recollection OF hot kisses.
But suppose tell what have
seem
Well said Grace. flashing out de-
family. "and suppose you dol"
Gregory muttered: who would te.
lieve your
Fran looked at him. Then" she
said. "the coward spoke" She added (:
Il guess the only way is for you to
make her leave. There's nothing In
her for me TO appeal to-"
Il will never tell her to 60" he az.
sured her dehantly.
while. on the contrary" said
Grace. Il fancy you will be put to flghi
In three or four days"
Fran threw back her head AMI
laughed silently while they stared 81
her In blank perplexity.
Fran regained composure TO say
coolly. Il was Just laughing" Thea
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
40 mission. Just as Grace had left II
in her haste to get rid OF Fran. Al
odd variance with It's phllanthropic
message were the words FmD lad
pounded out for the deception OF Mira
Gregory.
Hamilton Gregory glarcd at them
at first uncomprehendingly. then Ia
growing nmazement They read-.
Ask her why she sent Bob Clinton
to Springfield"
He started up. What Is this." hy
exclaimed wildly. extending the paper
toward Grace.
She read Il ana smiled coldly. Yes,
she said. "the little spy has even fer
reted that out. has shc' Very well
she won't be- so cool when Mr. Clinton
returns from Springfield"
From Springfield" echoed Grcgor,
aghas.
From 2,ringfield. Mr.. Gregory,
have made the discovery that thi,
Fran. whom you imagined only abou
sixteen years old. and the daughter o.
an old friend. IL really OF age She'i
nothing but n circusgi You though
her joking when she called herself /
lion'tnmer: that's the way she mean
for us to lake it-but she cant do
oeiv. me. She's nothing but n show
gil pretending to come from Spring
| field Hut | know better. 80 Nv,
sent Mr.. Clinton there to md out al
about tho family Of your friend. and II
particular about III. girl that this Frat
ls impefsonnting"
You sent Bob Clinton to Spring
holdl" gaaped Gregory. ms II his min,
could got no further than that Thci
he turned aavagoly upon fran-"An,
did you tell her about Springnold7"
Fran smiled hor crooked smile.
Grace intorposed: you may be sur
she didn't DO you think she wanto,
her history cleared up7 Mr. 0resor,
you are no blinded by what hbc say
that you won't investigate her claims
decided 10 do this for your sake
When Mr.. Clinton comes back. ~
goodby to this oircus.girll"