Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-12-25

les, IOI me . don't care
how much l suffer, or whether l suf-
fer at ALL mean my work, if it suf-
fers. If lose you, Grace"
"Oh, you will always have Fran"
FRAN" ne calculated. so you
don't care, Grace 1t seems in
credible because l care SO much.
Grace!" His accent was that of utter
despair. How can l lose you since
you are everything? What would be
left to live for? Nobody else sympa-
thizes with my aims. Who but you IN
derstands? Oh, nobody will ever SYM
pathize-ever care"
But, Mr.. Gregory" she began, con-
fused. Her face had grown white.
"Grace!" he caught her hand, expect
ing it to be snatched away-the hand
he had hourly admired at its work; he
could feel its warmth, caress it's shape
liness-and it did not resist. 1t trem-
bled.
He was afraid to press it at first,
lest it be wrenched free; and then, the
next moment, he was clasping II CON
vulsively. For the first time in her
life, Grace did not meet his eyes.
"Grace!" he painted, not knowing
what he was saying, you care, | see
you care for NEEDN'T you?"
mo" she whispered. Her lips we're
dry, her eyes wide, her bosom heaving.
Boundaries hitherto Interchangeable,
were suddenly submerged. Desperate
ly, as If for her life, she sought to
cling to such floating landmarks as
duty, conscience, virtue-but they were
drifting madly beyond reach.
But yon can't love him, can your"
Gregory asked brokenly.
Grace, with closed eyes, shook her
head-what harm could there be in
that confession?
You won't go away, will you,
Grace?" he pleaded, drawing her
closer.
She shook her head, lips still part
ed, eyes still closed.
Speak to me, Grace. Tell me you
will never leave me-"
Her lips trembled, then he heard a
faint "Never!" Instantly neck and
brow were crfmsoned; her face, al
ways superb, became enchanting. The
dignity Of the queen was lost in the
woman's greater charm.
Because YOU love mel" cried Greg
DRY wildly. Il know you do, now, |
know you dol" His arm was about
her. you will never leave me be-
you love me. Look at me.
Grace!"
1t seemed that her eyelids were held
down by tyrannous thumbs. She tried
to lift them, and tried again. Her
face was irradiated by the sunrise
glow of a master passion. Swiftly he
kissed her lips, and as she remained
~motionless, he kissed her again and
again.
Suddenly she exclaimed blindly:
ooh, my God!" Then she threw her
arms about him, as he drew her to his
bosom.
1t was at that moment, as If Fate
herself had timed the interruption,
that Fran entered.
There was a violent movement of
mutual repulsion on the part of Hamil-
ton Gregory and his secretary. Fran
stood very still, the sharpness of her
profile defined, with the keenness of
eyes and a slight grayness about the
lips that made her look oddly small
and old.
Fran was a dash of water upon
raging fire. The effect was not extin-
guishment, but choking vapors. Be
wildered, lost 10 old self-consciousness,
it was necessary for Grace to readiust
herself not only to these two, but to
herself as well.
Fran turned upon her father, and
pointed toward his desk. Stand
there!" she said, scarcely above a
whisper.
Gregory burst forth in blind wrath.
How dare you enter the room in this
manner? You shall leave this house
at once, and for ever. | should
have driven you out long ago. Do you
hear me? Col"
Fran's arm was still extended.
Stand there!" she repeated.
Quivering in helpless fury. he
stumbled to his desk, and leaned up
on it. His face burned; that OF Grace
Noir was CHASTITY white.
Now, you" said Fran, her voice
vibrating as she faced the secretary,
go to your typewriter"