The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-09-24

must md IL pretty hard" he remarked.
with covert reproach, ito keep from
being happy"
1t isn't at all hard for mo-" Fran
assured him, as she paused on the
front steps. Really, it's easy to be
unhappy where Miss Grace Noir is."
1t happened that Just then the name
Grace Noir was sort of talisman
opening to the young mans vision the
interior Of wonderful treasure-caves: I:
1t was like crying "Sesame!" to the
very rocks, for though he was not
IN love with Gregory's secretary, he
fancied the day Of fate was not far
ahead.
He had no time to seek fair and ro.
mantle ladies. Five years ago, Grace
Noir had come from Chicago as If to
spare him the trouble Of a search.
Fate seemed to thrust her between
his eyes and the pages Of his text.
books. Abbott never felt so unworthy
as when In her presence; an unerring
instinct seemed to have provided her
with an absolute standard of right and
wrong, and she was so invariably right
that no human affection was worthy of
her unless refined seven times. Within
himself, Abbott discovered dross.
TRY to be good girl, Fran" he
counseled. BE good, and your asso-
citation with Miss Noir will prove the
happiest experience Of your life."
BE good" she returned mockingly.
and you will be Miss Noir." Then
she twisted her mouth. "She makes
me feel like tearing up things. don't
like her. ] hoped you'd be on my
side"
He came down the steps gravely.
"She is my friend"
I'm a good deal like you," Fran
declared. following. IL can like most
anything and anybody; but l can't go
that far. Well, don't like Miss Noir
and she doesn't like me-isn't that
fair?"
Examine YOURSELF" he advised,
and find out what 1t is in you that she
doesn't like; then get rid of what you
find"
HUH" Fran exclaimed, I'm going
to get rid Of her, all right"
He saw the old elfish smile now
when he least wanted to see It, for Il
threatened the secretary, mocked the
grave superintendent. and asserted the
girls right to like whom she pleased.
Self-respect and loyalty to Grace hast
ened Abbott's departure, leaving the
spirit of mockery to escape the jani-
tors broom as best it might.
Fran escaped, recognizing defeat;
but on her homeward way, she was
already preparing herself for the next
move. SO intent was she In estimat.
inr The forces Of both sides. that she
save 10 heed to the watchful faces
at cottage windows, she did not recog.
nize the lnfrequent passers-by, nor OBJ
serve the occasional buggies that
croakcd along the rutted road. With
Grace stood, Of course, Hamilton Greg.
ory; aud, judging from Bob Clinton's
regular visits, and his particular atten-
tioIs 10 Grace, Fran classed him also
ss victim Of the enemy. It now
seemed That Abbott Ashton followed
the tlas Noir; and behind these three
leaders. 1nassed the congregation OF
Walnut street church, and presumably
the town Of Littleburg.
Fran could count for her support nm
Did bachelor with weak heart, and an
old lady with an ear-trumpet. The odds
were terribly against her.
T'aa fret 1;e,I< cy,sx.s-S
Fran and Grace took place on Sunday.
All the Gregory household were az
late breakfast. Sunday-schooI bells
were ringing their nrst call, and there
even Grace. He marched into the gar
den where Fran sat huddled upon a
rustic bench. II was just saying"
Simon told her ingratiatingly, that IL
all this to-do over religion isn't put
stop to. I'll take my meals at the Clin.
tons'!"
Fran looked up 1T him without NOV.
Ing her chin from her palms, and asked
as she tried, apparently. to tie her
feet into q knot, Isn't that where
Abbott Ashton boards?"
DO you mean Professor Ashton ?"
ne returned, with subtle reproof.
Fran, still detected. nodded careless.
ly' We're both after the same man."
Simon liz the pipe watch his physi.
clan had warned him was bad for his
heart. Yes. Professor Ashton boards
at the Clintons'."
Must be awfully jolly at the Clin.
tons',' Fran said wistfully.