The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-08-21
me?" she asked with admirable re-

me?" she asked with admirable re-
straint.
,, Miss Grace!" Hamilton Gregory ex-
claimed, disturbed. That she should
be driven from his table by an insult
to their religion was intolerable. Miss
Grace-forgive her."
Mrs. Gregory was pale, for she, too,
had felt the blow. "F'ran!" she ex-
claimed reproachfully.
Old Mrs. jefferson stared from the
| girl seated at the table to the erect
secretary, and her eyes kindled with
admiration. Had Fran commanded the
dragon" to "stand?"
Simon Jefferson held his head close
to his plate, as if hoping the storm
might pass over his head.
Don't go away!" Fran cried, over
come at sight of Mrs. Gregory's dis
tress. "Sit down, Miss Noir. Let me
be the one to leave the room, since it
| isn't big enough for both of u.s. She
darted up, and ran to the head of the
! table.
Mrs. Gregory buried her face in her
hands.
Don't you bother about me-" Fran
| coaxed; ito think of giving you pain,
dear lady, l wouldn't hurt you for
| anything in the world, and the per-
son who would isn't worthy of being
| touched by my foot" and Fran
stamped her foot. "If it'll make you
mite happier, I'll go to church, and
Sunday-school, and prayer meeting,
and the young peoples society, and the
Ladies' Aid, and the missionary So
| ciety, and the choir practice, and the
| night service and-and-" She darted
| from the room.
Grace looked at Gregory, seeming
| to ask him it, after this outrageous be-
| havior, he would suffer Fran to dwell
DRY did not count; Grace made no at
tempt to understand this woman who,
while seemingly of a yielding nature,
could show such hardness, such a fixed
purpose in separating herself from her
husbands spiritual adventures. 1t
made Grace feel so sorry for the hus-
band that she quietly resumed her
| place at the IaDle.
Grace was now more than ever re-
solved that she would drive Fran
await had become religious duty.
How could it be accomplished? The
way was already prepared; the secre-
tary was convinced that Fran was an
| impostor. 1t was merely needful to
prove that the girl was not the daugh-
ter of Gregory's dead friend Grace
would have to delve into the past, pos
sibly visit the scenes of Gregory's
youthful it would pay. She locked
at her employer with an air suggest
ing protection.
Gregory's face relaxed on finding
| himself once more near her. Fortu-
nately for his peace of mind, he could
not read the purpose hidden behind
those beautiful eyes.
| 81 wonder" Simon Jefferson growled
''why somebody doesn't badger me TO
go to church!" Indignant because
Fran had fed the pleasing fields of
his interested vision, he paused, as
if to invite antagonism.
He announced This talk has excit-
ed me. If we can't live and let live,
I'll go and take my meals at Miss
Sapphire Clinton's."
No one dared to answer him, not
even Grace. He marched into the gar
den where Fran sat huddled upon a
rustic bench. ri was just saying,
Simon told her overwhelmingly, chat If
all this TODD over religion isn't put a
stop to, I'll take my meals at the Gin
tons'!"
Fran looked up at him without NOV
ing her chin from her palms, and asked
as she tried, apparently, to tie her
feet into a knot, Isn't that where
Abbott Ashton boards?'
"Do you mean Professor Ashton?'
he returned, with subtle reproof.
Fran, still detected, nodded careless
ly. "We're both after the same man.
Simon lit the pipe which his physi
clan had warned him was bad for his
heart. Eyes, Professor Ashton boards
at the Clintons'."
1 Must be awfully jolly at the Gin
TONS" Fran said wistfully.
CHAPTER