Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-25
"Still all my song shall be
Nearer my god to Thee,
Nearer

- L
this wife who was not wife fingered
In the room. The hymn, no longer
had left behind it fragrance
as sometimes fingers the sweet SAVIOR
OF a prayer after It's amen" has, as II
were, dropped back into the heart
whence it issued. Fran instinctiveiy
held out both arms toward the direc.
ton of the door just closed, as IL she
could see Mrs. Gregory kneeling be-
hind it.
almost" she said, in solemn I'M
dertone, chou persuadest me to be
Christian"
Had any one but Mrs Gregory been
singing that hymn; had any one Dut
Fran been the one to intrude upon the
library scene, Grace must have been
AS it was, she stood
quite untouched, resolving to stay IN
order to prove herself and to show
Gregory that they must sacrifice their
love for conscience sake.
Gregory, however, was deeply
by Fran's yearning arms. he
rose and stood before her. Fran,
child, we promise that what you saw
shall never happen again. But you
mustn't tell about 1t. know you won't
tell. / can't send Grace away, because
I need her. She will not 60 because
she knows herself to be strong. We
are going to hide our souls. And you
can't tell what you've seen, on &C
count of her-"He pointed In the d.
rection of his wife.
Fran knew very we'll what he
meant. II she told the secret, 1t would
disgrace Mrs. Gregory. The revelation
might drive Grace away, though Fran
did not think 80, but certainly whether
Grace went, or stayed, it would break
the heart Of the one she loved best
in that home. Gregory was rlSht:
Fran could never betray him.
She turned blindly upon Grace:
"Then have you no conscience?-you
are always talking about one. Does
no sense Of danger warn you away!
Cant you feel any shame"
Grace did not smile contemporary.
She weighed these words at their real
value. and soberly Intercepted her
self. mo" she declared with delibcra-
ton. ~ fell no sense Of danger be-
cause I mean to guard myself afser
this. And my conscience bids me stay,
to show that have not really done
But she could not deny
the feeling Of shame, for the burning
of her cheeks proved the recollection
of hot kisses.
"But suppose l tell what l have
seen"
well" said Grace, flashing out de-
family, ''and suppose you do"
Gregor ymuttered, who would be-
lieve your"
Fran looked at him. Then she
said "the coward spoke" She added,
Il guess the only way is for you to
make her leave. There's nothing IN
her for me to appeal to-"
81 will never tell her to go" he as
sured her defiantly
while, on the contrary" said
Grace. IT fancy you will be put to
flight in three or four days"
Fran threw back her head and
laughed silently while they stared at
her in blank perplexity.
Fran regained composure to say
coolly, IT was just laughing" Then she
stepped to her fathers chair and
handed him the sheet she had drawn
from the LypcWTlIcI.ssI hC uppoi pa y
was an unfinished letter to the Chi
cago mission. just as Grace had left
1t in her haste to get rid Of Fran. At
odd variance with its philanthropic
message we're the words Fran had
pounded out for the deception OF Mrs.
Gregory.
Hamilton Gregory glared at them at
first uncomprehendingly, then IN
growing amazement. They read
ASK her why she sent Bob Clinton
to Springfield"
He started up. What is this'' he
exclaimed wildly, extending the paper
toward Grace.
She read it, and smiled coldly.
"Yes," she said. "the little spy has
even ferreted that out, has she! Very
we'll, she won't be so cool when Mr.,
Clinton returns from Springfield.
From Springfield" echoed Greg
DRY, aghast !,
aFrom Springfield. Mr.. Gregory.