The Ely miner., 1913-12-26


those happenings in the soul. which,
however momentous, passes unob-
served in the midst of the throng
mot so fast!" Grace cautioned
Gregory. We must wait up here till
the very last-dont you see Mr.. Clin-
ton? And Simon Jefferson is now
pointing us out. We can't go down
that way"
Wet" Gregory ha1shiy echoed.
I'VE! | have nothing to do with you,
Grace Noir. Go to him, if you will"
Grace turned ashen pale. What do
you mean?" she stammered. You tell
me to go to MI Clinton?"
81 tell you to go where you please.
That girl yonder is my daughter, do
you understand? Don't hold me back!
l shall go to her and proclaim her as
my child to the world. Do you hear
me? That's my Franz
Grace shrank back in the suspicion
that Hamilton Gregory had gone mad
like the rest of the crowd. do you
mean that you never want to see me
again? Do you mean that you want
me to marry Mr.. Clinton?'
81 do not care what you do" he
said, still more roughly.
You do not care?" she stammered,
bewildered. What has happened?
You do not care-for me?"
She looked deep into his eyes. but
found no incense burning there. The
shrine was cold.
oFt oil hot
has passed between US? After / have
given you my-myself-"
Gregory seized her arm, as if to hold
her Off. His eyes were burning dan
gerously: Il saw murder in your heart
while you were watching Fran" he
whispered fercely. That's my daugh-
ter, do you understand? l know you
| now, | know you now.
Grace stared after him with blood
less checks and smoldering eyes.
Clearly she decided, the sight of
Fran's fearful danger had unbalanced
his mind. But how could ne care so
| much about that Fran? And how
could he leave her, knowing that Rob
ert Clinton was beginning to climb
face?
But it was not the sight OF Fran's
danger that had for ever alienated
Gregory from Grace Noir. In al in
stant, she had stood revealed to him
as an unlovely monster. His sensitive
nature. always abnormally alive to out
ward impressions, had thrilled re-
4 10 Of
dience. He had endured the agony of
suspense, he had shared the universal
| enthusiasm. If. in a sense, he was a
series Of moods, each the result o.
| blind impulse, it so happened that
| Grace's hiss-'It's the hand Of God"
| turned his love to aversion; she was
appealing as a justification of person
| betraying.
Grace began to tremble as she
| watched Robert Clinton coming up,
| and Hamilton Gregory descending
| She had trusted foolishly to a broken
reed, but it was not too late to pre-
serve the good name she had been
| about to besmirch. The furnace-heas
in which rash resolves are forged, was
cooled Gregory had deserted F'rans
mother: he was false to Mrs. Gregory;
he would perhaps have betrayed Grace
in the end; but Clinton was at hand.
and his alteration would endure.
| In the meantime, the voice OF Fran
was to be heard above that of the
happy crowd: Il love you all. You
helped me do it. / should certainly
have been mangled but for you per
feet heroes. Yes, thank you. e.
Yes, l feel fine. And, oh, men
| and women, l could just feel your
spirits holding mine up till l was so
high was in the clouds. That's what
subdued Samson. He knew l wasn't
afraid. He knew it! And wanted to
win out for your sakes as we'll as my
own-yes l did! Thank you men.
.. Thank you, women. .
Well, IL here aren't the children, too
bless your brave hearts! And
is that your baby? My goodness, and
what baby it is. No, I'm not
a bit tired"
She stopped suddenly, on feeling a
crushing grip She looked down, a
frown forming on her brow, but the
sun shone clear when she saw Abbott
Ashton. She gave him swift look. as
# to penetrate his inmost thoughts.
(TO BE CONTINUED)