The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-09-03

his money. think Mr.. Gregory is one
or the best men that ever lived"
Fran asked with simplicity. "Great
church wOrker?"
Hes as good as he Is rich. He
never misses a service. can't give
the time to 1t that he does-to the
church. l mean; have the ambition
70 mold. one day, chair at Yale or
Harvard-that means to teach in a
university" he broke off. in explana.
ton.
You see," with a deprecatorv
smile. i want to make myself felt In
the world"
Frans eyes shone with an unspoken
"Hurrah!" and as he met her gaze he
felt thrill Of pleasure from the i'm.
preston that he was what she want.
ed him to be-.
Fran allowed his soul to bathe a
While In divine eyebeams Of flatterine
approval. then gave him a little sting
10 bring hir to life. "You are pretty
OLD, not to be married." she remarked
i hope you won't find some woman to
put an end to your high intentions.
but men generally do. Men fall IN
love, and when they finally pull them.
selves out, they've losl sight of the
shore they were headed for"
A slight color stole to Abbott's face.
In fact, he was rather hard hit. This
wandering child was no doubt q witch
he looked In the direction of the tent
as II to escape the weaving of her
magic. But he only said, THAT sounds
-er--practical."
YES" said Fran. wondering who
the woman" was, 'if you can't ba
practical, there's no use to be. Well
l can see you now, at the head Of
some university-you'll make it. be.
cause you're SO much like me. Why.
when they first began teaching me to
iced Good gracious! What am I
talking about?" She hurried on. as
II to cover her confusion. "But I
haven't got as far In books as you
nave. SO I'm not religious"
Books aren't religion" he remou.
strated. then added with unnecessary
gentleness. Little Nonpareul What
an ideal"
YES, books are" retorted Fran.
shaking back her hair, swinging her
foot and twisting her body impatient
ly That's the only kind of religion
l know anything about-jrst books.
just doctrines; what you ought to be-
lieve and how you ought to act-all
nicely printed and bound between GOV.
ers. Did you ever meet any religion
outside of a book, moving up and
down. going about in the opsn?"
He answered in perfect confidence.
Mr.. Gregory lives his religion daily
the kind that helps people, that makes
the unfortunate happy"
Fran was not hopeful. "Well. I've
come all the way from New York to
see him. l hope he can make me
happy. I'm certainly unfortunate
enough. I've got all the elements he
needs to work on"
From New York;" He considered
the delicate form, the youthful face
and whistled. "Will you please tel!
me where your home is, Nonpareil? p
She waved her arm inclusively
America. wish 1t were concentrat
ed In some spot, but it's just spread
out thin under the Stars and Stripes
My country's about all I have" She
broke off with catch In her voice
she tried to laugh, but it was no use
Suddenly 1t came to Abbott Ashton
that he understood the language OF
moon. watching woods, meadow-lands
even the gathering rain-clouds: all
spoke OF the universal brotherhood OF
man with nature: br, 'rhood =.
cluding the most ambitioui perin.
tendent Of schools and homeless
Nonpareil; brotherhood to be con.
firmed by the clasping of sincere
hands. There was danger in such a
confirmation. for it carried Abbott be.
yond the limits that mark a superin.
tendent's confines.
AS he stood on the bridge, holding
Fran's hand In warm and sympa.
thetic pressure, he was not unlike one
on picket-service who slips over the
trenches to hold friendly Farley with
the enemy. Abbott did not know there
was any danger in this brotherly
handclasp; but that was because he
could NOT see fleshy and elderly lady
slowly coming down the hill. AS su.
perintendent. he should doubtless have
considered his responsibilities to the
public; he did consider them when the
lady, breathless and severe, ap-
preached the bridge. while every
pound Of her ample form cast its
weight upon the seal Of her disapprov.
Ing, low-voiced and significant, Good
evening, Professor Ashton"
Fran whistled.
The lady heard. but she swept on
without once glancing back. There
was In her none Of that saline ten.
dency that made Of Lot q. widower:
the lady desired to see no more.