Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-11-20

bling candy, with the air OF. soldiers of
duty-for the choir was in the throes
of a solo. n
Abbott, as If hypnotized by what he
had seen, slowly entered the auditor1-
UNI. Fran's keen eyes discovered him,
and her face showed elf1sh mischief
Grace, following Fran's eyes, found
the cause of the odd smile, and beck
oned to Abbott. Hamilton Gregory,
following Grace's glance-for he saw
no one but her at the practices, since
she inspired him with deepest fervor-
felt suddenly as If he had lost some
thing; he had often experienced the
same sensation on seeing Grace ap
preached by some unattached gentle
man.
Grace motioned to Abbott to sit be.
side her, with a concentration of at,
tention that showed her purpose Of
reaching a definite goal unsupported
by the other.
I'm so glad Fran has taken a place
in the choir" Abbott whispered I'd
Grace. "And look at Simon Jefferson
who'd have thought It'll" q
Grace looked at Simon Jefferson;
she also looked at Fran, but her com,
pressed lips and reproying eye ex
pressed none of Abbott's gladness
However, she responded with-"T am
SO glad you are here, Professor Ash.
ton, for I'm in trouble, and / can't de.
eide which way 1t is my duty to turn
Will you help me? | am going to
trust you-it is a matter relating to Mr.
Gregory"
Abbott was pleased that she should
think him competent to advise her re-
specting her duty; at the same time
he regretted that her confidence re.
lated to Mr.. Gregory.
Professor Ashton" she said softly,
does my position as hired secretary
to Mr.. Gregory carry with it the obi.
cation to warn him of any misconduct
in his household"
The solo was dying away, and, sweet
and low, it fell from heaven like man.
ma upon his soul, blending divinely
with the secretary's voice. Her ex
preston hired" sounded like a tragic
note-to think of one so beautiful, SO
meek, so surrounded by mellow hymn.
notes, being hired!
You hesitate to advise me, before
you know ALL" she said, "and you are
right. In a moment the choir will be
singing louder, and we can all talk to
gether. Mrs. Gregory should be con
suited, too"
Grace, conscious of doing all that
one could in consulting Mrs. Gregory,
too" looked toward the choir loft,
and smiled into Hamilton Gregory's
eyes. How his baton, inspired by that
smile, cut magic runes in the air!
Mrs. Gregory" Grace said in a low
voice, II suppose Professor Ashton is
so surprised at seeing you in church
it has been more than five months,
hasn't 1t? that I'm afraid he
isn't thinking about what Pm saying
Mrs. Gregory could not help feeling
in the way, because her husband
seemed to share Grace's feeling. In
stinctively she turned to her mother
and laid her hand on the invalid's
arm.
They amt bothering me, Lucy
said the old lady. alertly. Il can't
hear their noise, and when l shut my
eyes l can't see their motions"
Il have something to tell you both,
Grace said solemnly. Last night,
couldn't sleep, and that made me sen
sitive to noises. / thought | heard
some one slipping from the house just
as the clock struck half-past eleven. II
seemed incredible, for / knew If II
were anyone, it was that Fran, and
didn't think"even she would do that"
It. was as If Abbott had suddenly
raised a window in a raw wind. His
temperature descended. The others
manner of saying THAT Franz" OBJ
scured his glass of the future.
Mrs. Gregory said quickly, Fran
leave the house at half-past eleven
Impossible"
How do you know" Abbott asked
that Fran left the house at such q
time Of the night?" The question was
unfair since it suggested denial, but
his feeling for Fran seemed to call fal
unfairness to Grace.
I will tell you," Grace responded
with the distinctness Of one in power
AT the time, l told myself that even
Fran would not do that. But, a long
time afterward, l heard another sound