The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-05-04


his love, from resolution to save him
from the Characterization by absent
treatment. he perversely rebelled at
her secretly rejoicing over conquered
foe Fran was separated from his
sympathies by the chasm in his own
soul.
! The time came when Gregory felt
that he must see Grace again and be
alone with her. At first, he thought
they must not meet apart from the
world; but by the end of the week, he
was wondering what excuse he could
offer to induce her to meet hinf-not
at Miss Sapphira'S, where she now
boarded, not at the grocery where Bob
was always lowering about-but some
where remote, somewhere safe, where
they might talk about-but he had no
idea of the conversation that might
ensue-there was nothing definite in
anything save his fixed thought of be-
ing with her. As to any harm, there
could be none He had so long re-
garded Grace as the best woman in
the world, that even after the day of
kisses, his mind continued in its in
ertia of faith-even the gravitation of
material facts were unable to check its
sublime course.
1t was at the close of Iulv day
that Hamilton Gregory left his house
resolved, at any cost-save that of ex-
posure-to experience once more the
only pleasure life held in reserve for
him: nearness to Grace Noir She
might be at the store, since all shops
were to remain open late, in hopes Of
reaping the sordid advantages from
the gayety of mankind. In a word,
Littleburg was in the grip of its first
street fair.
Before going down town, Gregory
strolled casually within sight of the
Clinton boarding house. Only Miss
Sapphire was on the green vsranda.
She had watched the ceaseless streams
of humanity pouring along either side
walk, destined for the heart of the
small town,-countess hordes, re-en-
forced from rural districts by excur-
sion trains From the very ground
they seemed to spring, these autoch-
thons of confetti and side shows. On
they flowed, stormy with horn and
whistle and hideous balloons whose
horrid pipes squealed the music of
modern Pan: they overwhelmed the ma
tive population with elusive ticker and
rubber-stringed ball; here were to be
seen weary mothers reaching forth for
greater WEAKNESS; joy-scourged fathers
driven to the money changers; frenzied
children at last in Fairyland.
Miss Sapphira, recognizing Gregory,
waved solemn greeting. and he felt
reassured-for he was always afraid
d Il L.
way nearer. Miss Sapphire sat in the
huge chair not as if unable to rise.
but as a tangible rebuke to carnal
amusements. She spoke TO Gregory on
the subject of which she was full to
the brin-and Miss Sapphira was of
generous capacity
No wonder so few go TO church /"
rs Miss Noir here?'. Gregory asked
in strained voice; the confusion hid
the odd catch his voice had suffered in
getting over the name.
mo. She's down town-but not at
any show, you may be sure. She's left
late at the store because-I guess
you've heard Abbott Ashton has been
away long tirne?'
Il have heard nothing of the young
man." Gregory replied stiffly.
We'll, he's been off two or threo
weeks somewhere. nobody knows un-
less-it's Bob, and Bob won't tell any,
thing any more. Abbott wrote he'd
be home tonight, and Bob drove over
to Simmtown to meet him in the sur
rey, so Miss Grace is alone there"
She nodded ponderously.
'Aloner' he exclaimed involuntarily.
IL - DIX
now Just any minute" She added,
eying the crowd-"I saw Fran on the
street. long and merry ago" Her ac-
cent was that of condemnation. Like
rock she sat. letting the tickle
populace drift by to minstrel show and
snake den. The severity of her double
chin said they might all go thither-
she would not; let them be swallowed
up by that gigantic serpent whose tail,
too long for billboard illustrations,
must needs be left to coil in the imag-
ination-but the world should see that
Miss Sapphire was safe from degluti-
ton, either of frivolity or anaconda.
That was also Gregory's point of
view; and even in his joy at finding
the coast clear. he paused to say, II
am sorry that Fran seems to have lost
all reason over this carnival company.
If she would show half as much in
terest in her souls welfare"
He left the sentence unfinished The
thought of Grace had grown supreme
it seemed to illuminate some wide
and splendid road into a glorious flu
ture
The bookkeeper's desk was in a gall
lery near the ceiling of the Clinton
grocery store; one looked thence,
through a picket fence, down upon the
only floor. When he reached her side,
he was GREATNESS, partly from his
struggle through the masses, principally
from excitement of fancied security.
She was posting up the ledger, and
made no sign of recognition until he
called her name.
. ..Mr. Clinton is not here" she said
remotely. Can l do anything for
you
He admired her cakn courtesy. If
at the same time she could have been
reserved and yielding he would have
found the impossible combination per-
feet. Because it was impossible, he
was determined to preserve her angelic
purity in imagination, and to restore
her womanly charm to actual being.
"How can you receive me so coldly,"
he said .impulsiveiy, when I've not
seen you for weeks?"
I You see me at church, she an
swered impersonally.
T Butt have been dying to be near
- IL