The Washington herald., 1913-03-23
FRAN
"But. Grace. What could I do-with

"But, Grace. What could I do-with-
out"
Shall we just agree to say no more
about it :" she softly interposed. That
is wisest until my decision is made.
We were talking about Fran-do you
not think this good opportunity for
Mrs. Gregory to attend services! Fran
can stay with Mrs. Jefferson"
Il have no doubt" he said, still agi-
tated, that my wife, would find ii easy
enough to go to church il she really
wanted to &C"
Mr.. Gregory she reproved him.
Well" he cried, somewhat dehantly,
don't you think she could go, if she
wanted to-"
We'll" Grace answered slowly, this
girl will leave her without any-any
! excuse"
"Oh. Miss Grace. if my wife were
only-like you-I mean, about going to
church,
i consider it." she responded, ''the
most important thing in the world
Her emphatic tone proved her sin
cerity The church on Walnut Street
stood. for her, as the ark; those who
remained outside, at the call of the
bell. were in danger of engulfment.
After long silence, Grace looked
up from her typewriter. Mr.. Greg
ory," she said pausingly, you are un-
happy
Nothing could have been sweeter to
him than her sympathy. except hap
pincss itself "Te:." tic admitted, with
a great sigh. Il am very unhappy, but
you understand me, and that is a little
comfort If you should marry Bob
Clinton-Grace, tell me you'll not think
OF it again"
And you arc unhappy" said Grace,
steadfastly ruling Bob Clinton out of
the discussion. 'on account OF Fran"
He burst forth impulsively-"Ever
since she came to town." He checked
himself. But | owe it to my friend
to shelter her. She wants to stay and
and she'll have to, if she demands
it"
You are unhappy Grace quietly
pursued, because her character is al,
ready formed. because she is girl
who laughs at sacred things, and
! mocks the only true objects of life.
| You know it is too late to change her,
and YOU know her influence is bad for
for everybody in this house
| But it can't be helped he insisted
disconsolately. If she wants TO stay.
| can't help it But. Grace, you are
right about her influence. Even my
wife finds new strength to resist what
| she knows TO be her duty, because the
girl likes her"
DO YOU owe more to your dead
| friend" Grace asked, with passionate
| solemnity. than To the living God
| He shrauk back But | can't send
: her away" he persisted in nervous
haste Il can't. But heaven bless you,
Grace. for your dear thought of me"
You will bless me with more rea
son." said Grace softly. when Fran
decides to go away She'll tire of this
house, ! promise it-she,ll go as un-
tremendously "a she came. Leave it
to me. Mr.. Gregory" In her earnest
ness she started up. and then, as il to
conceal her growing resolution, she
walked swiftly to the window as ii to
i hold her manuscript TO the light. Greg
orv followed her.
/ If she would only CO." he groaned.
Grace Do you think you could p
| Yes. will leave everything to you."
She'll CO." Grace repeated tixedly.
The window at which they stood
overlooked the garden into which Fran
had wheeled old Mrs. Jefferson.
Fran, speaking through the car
trumpet with as much caution as deaf
ness would tolerate. said. Dear old
lady. look UP at the library window,
If you please. for the muczzin has
climbed his minaret to call to prayers.
Very little OF this reached its des-
tination-muezzin was in great danger
OF complicating matters, but the old
lady caught library window and
held it securely. She looked up. Ham
lton Gregory and Grace Noir were
standing at the tower window, to catch
the last rays of the sun. The flag OF
truce between them was only a type
written sheet of manuscript. Grace
held the paper obliquely toward the
West; Hamilton leaned nearer and,
with his delicate white finger. pointed
out word. Grace nodded. her head
in gentle acquiescence
Amen" muttered Fran. Now let
everybody sing"
i The choir leader and his secretary
vanished from sight
lust like the play in Hamlet" Fran
said half aloud And now that the
inside play is over, | guess it's time for
old Ham to be doing something"
Mrs. Jefferson gripped the arms of
her wheel-chair and resumed her tale
as if she had not been interrupted. l,
was of no interest as story. yet pos
sessed sentimental value from the
fact that all the characters save the
raconteur were dead, and possibly all
) but her forgotten. Fran loved to hear
the old lady evoke the shades of long
ago. shades who would never again
assume even the palest manifestation
to mortals, when this old lady had
!. gone to join them.
There was Cousin Sarah Tom,