The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-06-05

already fallen. Apprehensions of a
storm caused hurried movements
throughout the house. Binding flashes
Of lightning suggested a gathering of
the family in the reception hall, where,
| according to tradition, there was less
danger" and as the unknown lady
opened the door of the front room,
Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs,
and caught glimpse of Grace Noir
descending.
The lady closed the door behind her
before she perceived Fran, so intent
was she upon securing from threaten
ing rain some unfinished silk-work
lying on the window-sill She paused
abruptly, her honest brown eyes
opened wide
The perspiration shOne on Hamilton
Gregory's forehead. Just a moment"
he uttered incoherently-"wait be
| back when | make sure my library
windows closed. =" He left the
room, his brain in an agony of indie
cision. How much must be told? And
how would they regard him after the
telling?
Who are you?" asked the lady of
thirty-tive, mildly, but with gathering
wonder.
The answer came, with a broken
laugh, q am Fran" 1t was spoken a
little defantly little menacingly, as
if the tired spirit was bracing itself
for battle
The lady wore her wavy hair part
ed in the middle after that fashion
which perhaps was never new; and no
impudent ribbon or arrogant flounce
stole ones attention from the mouth
that was just sincere and sweet. 1t
was a face one wanted to look at be-
cause-well, Fran didn't know why.
She's no prettier than l." was Fran's
decision, measuring from the natural
standard-the standard every woman
hides in her own breast.
And who is Franz" asked the mild
voice. The lady smiled so tenderly.
it was like a mellow light stealing
from fairy rOse-garden of thornless
souls.
Fran caught her breath while her
face showed hardness-but not against
| the other. She felt something like
holy wrath as her presentment sound
ed forth protestingly-"But who are
you?"
Il am Mrs. Gregory"
ooh, no" cried Fran with violence,
mo-" She added rather wildly. 1T
can't bel mean-but say you are
not Mrs. Gregory"
Il am Mrs. Gregory" the other re-
peated, mystified.
Fran tried to hide her emotion with
smile, but it would have been easier
Tor her to cry, just because she of the
patient brown eyes was Mrs. Gregory.
At that moment Hamilton Gregory
re-entered the room, brought back by
the fear that Fran might tel all dur
ing his absence How different life
would have been if he could have
found her flOwn!-but he read in her
face no promise of departure
His wife was not surprised at his
haggard face, for he was always work
ing too hard, worrying over his extern
sive charities, planning editorials for
his philanthropic journal, devising
means to better the condition of the
local church But the presence OF this
ranger-doubtless one of his count
less objects of charity-demanded ex-
PLANTATION.
Come" he said bruskly. addressing
neither directly, we needn't stop here
| have some explanations to make. and
they might as well be made before
everybody, once and for all -
He paused wretchedly, seeing no out
| look, no possible escape. Something
must be told-not lie, but possibly
not all the truth that would rest with
Fran. He was as much in her power
as If she, herself, had been the effect
of his sin
He opened the door, and walked
with a heavy step into the hall Mrs.
Gregory followed. wondering, looking
rather at Fran than at her husband.
Fran's keen eyes searched the apart
ment for the actual source of Hamil-
ton Gregorys acutest regrets.
| Yes, there stood the secretary.
CHAPTER VII.