The Washington herald., 1913-05-11
CHAPTER XX-Continued.

self to that man-yourself, Grace, that
beautiful self and without love? It's
a crime! Don't commit the horrible
blunder that's ruined my lite. See
what wretchedness has come to me
Then YOU think" very slowly, that
/ ought to let Fran ruin my whole INC
because your wife has ruined yours
Then YOU think that after | have been
driven out of the house to make room
for Fran, that | ought TO stay single
because vau married unwisely
Grace, don't say you are driven
out"
What do you call it? A reslgna-
tion?"
Grace I'VE have only few mo-
ments TO be alone For PHYS sake,
look AZ me kindly and use another tone
"a tone like the dear days when you
wore nv nv side We may
never be together again
In his realization that it was Fran,
and Fran alone, who separated them,
Gregory PASSED into a state of anger,
IN which his love added recklessness.
Grace. hate me if you must. but you
shall not misunderstood me!
70 understand you, MIR Gregory, while
YOU hide the only secret to your I'm
Outstanding. Don't come to me, with
pretended liking when what you can
mysterious business interests III
Springfield drive me from your door,
and keep Fran at my desk
He interposed in low, passionate
voice. Il am resolved that you sheuld
know everything. Fran-is my own
daughter. -
She gave no sign save sudden com
preston of the mouth; nevertheless
her surprise was extreme. her nina
flashed along the wires OF the past
and returned illuminated to the pres
ent ENHANCEMENT.
He thought her merely stunned, and
burst forth: Il tell you, Fran IS my
child. Now you know why I'm com
PEELED to do what she wants. hat
the secret Bob brought from Spring
field. That's the secret Abbott Ash,
ton hung over my head-the traitor
after Id befriended him! All OF my
mprateful friends have conspired to
ruin me. to force YOU from me by this
secret. But YOU know it now, and I've
escaped its danger. You know II!
And does your wife know
Would | tell her, and not tell you :
It's YOU I've tried to shield. mar
ried Josephine Derry. and Fran is our
child. You know Fran. We'll, her
mother was Just like her,rivolous,
caring only for things of the world
irreligious. And / was Just boy
mere college youth. When l real
lied the awful mistake Id make,
thought it best just to so away and
let her live her own life. Years alter,
! put all that behind me. and came to
Littleburg | married Mrs. Gregory
and / wanted to put all my past life
awav-ciear away-and live good
open life. Then you came. Then
found out I'd never known what love
meant. 1t means a fellowship OF souls,
love does: it has nothing TO do with
the physical man. Ii means Just your
so,I and mine and it's too
late!"
Grace. with hands locked upon her
open ledger. stared straight before her,
a. if turned to stone. The little
fenced-in box, hanging high above
eager shoppers, was as peaceful
haven in a storm OF raging noises.
From without. gusts OF merriment
,hrieked and whistled, while above
them doomed the raucous cries. OF
showmen. drowned in their turn by
the interchangeable brass band The at
mosphere of the bookkeeper's loft was
wedge of silence, splitting solidarity
of tumult.
Gregory covered his face with his
hands. DO YOU deSpise me. you pure
angel of beauty? Oh, say you don't
utterly despise me. I've not breathed
this secret to any living soul but you,
Won whom | love with the madness
of despair. My heart is broken. Tell
me what | can do"
At last Grace spoke in thin tone
Where is that woman"
"Frans mother ?"
She did not reply; he ought to know
whom she meant.
She died a few years ago-but
thought her dead when / married Mrs
Gregory | didn't mean any wrong to
nv wife ] wanted everything legal
and supposed it was | thought every
thing was all right until that awful
night-when Fran came. There
been no divorce, so Fran kept the Sc
cret-not on my account, oh, no, no
not on her fathers account, She gave
me no consideration. 1t was on ac-
count OF Mrs Gregory"
(which Mrs. Gregory"
you know-Mrs. Gregory
Can you believe that?" Grace asked
with a chilled smile. "You believe
Fran really cares for your wife? YOU
think any daughter could care for the
woman who has stolen her mother 5
rightful place."
But Fran won't have the truth de
cIared; if it weren't for her, Bot
would have told you long ago"
Suppose | were in Fran's place
would / have kept the secret to spare
man or woman? No! Fran doesn't
care penny for your wife. She
couldn't. 1t would be monstrous-
unnatural But she's always hated me
That's she acts as she does-to tri.
umph over me. | see it ALL That is
the reason she won't have the truth
declared-she doesn't want me to know
that YOU are-are tree.
Grace started up from the desk, her
face deathly white She was tottering
but when Gregory would have leaped
to her side. she whispered, They
would see us" Suddenly her face be-
came crimson. He caught his breath
speechless before her imperial loviness
Mr.. Gregory her eyes burning in
to his, have you told me all the Sc
cret?"
"Yes-all"
Then Mr.. Clinton deceived me-"