Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-18
ByJ0Hk BRECKENRIDGE ELI

HAeSrM Company
and don't intend coming, we are sim.
ply determined to drop the names
strike EN- out. We believe church
members should show where they
stand And-and II you"
Mrs. Gregory looked UP quietly. Her
voice seemed woven Of the silk threads
she was stitching in the white pattern.
III am not a member of the church
sitting an hour in the building couldn't
make me one"
Simon Jefferson cried out, "Is that
my sister Lucy? Blessed if thought
she had so much spirit"
do you call that spirit?' returned
Gregory, with displeasure.
Well" snorted Simon, what do
you call it, them"
Perhaps" responded Gregory, with
marked disapprobation, perhaps 1t
was spirit"
Grace, still attired for the street,
looked down upon Mrs Gregory as II
turned to stone. Her beautiful face
expressed something like horror at
the others irreverence.
Fran shook back her hair, and
watched with cleaning eyes from be-
hind the Stats, not unlike small
wild creature peering from it's cage.
oh cried Fran, miss Noir feels
so bad!"
Grace swept from the hall, her
rounded figure instinct with the suffer
ings of martyr.
Fran murmured, "That killed her!"
And you!" cried Gregory, turning
suddenly in blind anger upon the
other-"you don't care whose heart
you break"
II haven't any power over hearts,"
retorted Fran, gripping her fingers till
her hands were little white balls. ooh,
if only had! I'd get at 'em, il
could-like this ~
She leaped to her feet.
"Am always to be defied by your"
he exclaimed; there is to be no end
to it? But suppose l put an end to
it, myself-tell you that this is no
place for YOU"
you shall never say that" Mrs.
Gregory spoke UP, distinctly, but not
in his loud tones She dropped her
work in some agitation, and drew Fran
to her heart. II have friend here.
Hamilton-one friend-and she must
stay
Don't you be uneasy dear one"
Fran looked up lovingly into the
frightened face. He won't tell me to
go. He won't put an end to it. He
won't tell me anything!"
Listen to me, Lucy" said Gregory,
his tone altering, yes, she must stay
that's settled-she must stay. OF
course. But you-why will you refuse
what ASK when for years you were
one of the most faithful attendants at
the Walnut street church? l am ask
ing you to go next Sunday because
well, you know how people Judge
by appearances. I'm not asking it for
my sake-of course know your real
character-but go for Miss Grace's
sake-go to show her where you stand.
Lucy, I told her on the way from choir
should be there"
"How is it about church attendance,
anyway" asked Fran, with the air Of
one who seeks after knowledge. II
thought you went to church for the
Lords sake, and not for Miss Noir's."
s.. have given you my answer, mr.
Gregory" said his wife family, but
am sorry that it should make me seem
obstinate
He uttered groan, and left the hall
in despair His gesture said that he
must give it up.
Mrs. Gregory folded her work, her
face pale and drawn, her lips tremul-
GUS. She looked at Fran and tried to
smile. 1--WE must 60 to rest, now"
she said--if we can
CHAPTER XIV
The next day found Fran the bluest
of the blue. No laughing now, as she
sat alone, halfway up the ladder lead
ing to Gregory's barn loft. She meant
to be just as miserable as she pleased,
since there was no observer to be de-
ceived by sowing cheat-seed of merri-
ment.
1.-THE battles on now, to a finish"
muttered Fran despondently, "yet here
sit, and here l scrooch." With her
skirts gathered up in listless arm
till they were unbecomingly abridged
with every muscle and fiber seeming
to sag like an Unsupported fence,
Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal
stage of encouragement. For time,
there seemed in her heart not the tin
lest taper alight, and this blackness,
both hope and failure were alike in
distinguishable.
"But we'll see," she cried. at last
coming down the ladder, well see!"
and she clenched her fists. flung open
the barn door and marched upon the
house with battle in her eyes. Girding
up her loins-that is, smoothing her
hair--and sharpening her weapons for
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