Putnam patriot., 1913-08-01

"No, nor schools, nor churches. But they must have good works. Is Fran down at the fair, do you think?"
 The other bent toward him stealth. fly. Ask where Mrs. Gregory is,' she said. wonderfully significant.
 "Well?"
 Abbott, listen: She's gone a.visit. ing!"
 "Visiting!" Abbott was surprised.
 "Yes, visiting, she that hasn't been of this place to visit soul for ages. I tell you, boy, times have changed, here. Maybe you think nobodyid be left at home to visit; but Fran has found that there is a woman in town that she used to know, and the woman has a mighty sick child. and Lucy has gone to sit by it, % the mother can rest Think of that, Abbott, think of Lucy going anywhere. My! Have you heard that we've lost a secretary at this place? I mean the future Mrs. Bob. Yes, she's gone. I'd as soon have thought of the courthouse being picked up and set in the parlor."
 Mrs. Jefferson drew back and said succinctly: Fran did it!"
 Her cap quivered as she leaned for ward again. Get her to tell you all about it. We darsen't speak about it much because of the neighbors. We conspired, Fran and I. Yes, she's down at the carnival. you boy!"
 Abbott hastily departed. Later he found himself in a cloud-burst Of con fetti, on tbs "city square" and when he had cle8red his eyes of the red and white snow, he saw Fran disappear ing like bit of crimson glass at the bottom of human kaleidoscope. Fran had thrown the confetti, then fled how much brighter she was than all the other shifting units of humanity. He fought his way toward her de- terminedly. finding she was about to be submerged Was she actually try ing to elude him?
 "Fran!" he cried responsibility as he reached her side. How have you Ae heart to run away from me after I've been lost for weeks? Nobody knew I'd ever be found"
 Fran gave up flight, and stopped to look at him. A smile slipped from the corner of one eye, to get caught at the corner of her demure mouth. "Whes you disappeared, you left me yourself. A friend always does. I've had you all the time"
 Abbott glowed. Still, it isn't exact ly the same as if I had been able to touch your hand. Suppose we shake hands, little friend; what do you say?"
 T don't say anything" Fran retort- ed; q just shake"
 Her handclasp was so hearty that hs was slightly disconcerted. Was her friendship so great that it left no room in her heart for something greater.
 "I want to talk to yoa, Fran, talk and talk, oh, just about a9 the long night through Come, let me take you back home"
 Home? Me? Ridiculous! But I'll tell you the best place that ever was, for the kind of ulking you and I want to do to each other. Abbott, it won't matter to you-will it?-at what place say to meet me, at about half past nine?"
 Why, Franl It's not eight o'clock" Abbott remonstrated, glancfng toward the courthouse clock to find 1t stopped. and then consulting his watch Do you think l am going to wait tili--" "TiIl half-past nine" said Fran, non chalantly. Very well. then"
 But what will we do in the mean time, if we're not to talk till-"
 .We.. she mocked him. Listen, Abbott, don't look so cross. I've friend in town with a sick daughter, and she's a real friend so l must go to help her, while"
 He was both mystiied and disap- pointed. T didn't know you had any such friends in Littleburg," he remon- strated. remembering how unkind tongues had set the village against her.
 Fran threw back her head, and her gesture was full of pride and conf f0f t~s eth0 foarr is