The state herald., 1913-09-12

nothing could have exceeded the saint
liness of her expression. Insulted, she
was enjoying to the full her pious sat
isfaction Of martyrdom.
Dear Mrs. Gregory" said Fran
kindly. I'm sorry to have to do this,
but 1t isn't as II you were adopting
a penniless orphan, I'm adopting q
home. l want to belong to somebody.
and want people to feel that they
have something when they have me-"
II reckon they'll know they've got
something" remarked Simon Jeffer-
son. shooting dissatisfied glance at
Fran from under bushy brows.
Fran laughed outright I'm going
to like you. all right" she declared.
"You are SO human"
It is exceedingly difficult to main
tain satisfaction In silent martyrdom.
Grace was obliged to speak. lest any
one think that che acquiesced In evil
lis 1t customary for little girls to roam
the streets at night. wandering about
the world alone. adopting homes ac-
cording to their whims?"
u really don't think It is custom
ary," Fran replied politely. but I'm
not customary girl" At that mo-
ment she caught the old lady's eye. It
was sparkling with eloquent satisfac-
ton: Mrs. Jefferson supposed terms
OF service were under discussion. Fran
laughed. grabbed the eartrumpet and
called. Hello. How are your"
When an unknown voice entered the
large end Of the tube. half Its mean.
Ing was usually strained away before
the rest reached the yearning ear.
Mrs. Jefferson responded eagerly.
And will you wheel me around the
garden at least twice a day?"
Fran patted the thin old arm with
her thin young hand, as she shouted.
IN wheel you twenty times day.
II you say sol"
But | do not see-saw." retorted the
old lady with spirit
Gregory. finding Grace's eyes fixed
on him searchingly. felt himself
pushed to the wall. "Of course" he
said coldly. 1T is understood that the
daughter of-er-my friend. comes
here Us a-as an equal" As he
found himself forced into definite op-
position to his secretary, his manner
grew more assured. Suddenly It oc-
| CURED to him that he was. In a way.
ntoning for the past.
"As an equal. yes!" exclaimed his
wife. again embracing Fran. How
else could II be?"
This is going to be a good thing
for you. II you only knew IT," Fran
said. looking into her face with loving
eyes.
Hamilton Gregory was almost able
to persuade himself that he had re-
ceived the orphan OF his own free
choice. thus to make reparation 1T
Is my duty" he said: ''and I always
try to do my duty. az I see It,"
Would you like to know more about
me?" Fran asked confidentially OF Mrs.
Gregory.
Gregory turned pale. II don't think
It is neces-"
DO tell mel" exclaimed his wife.
Father and mother married secret
ly." Fran said. solely addressing Mrs.
Gregory. but occasionally sending a
furtive glance ut her husband He
was a college-student, boarding with
his cousin. who WIS one OF the profes-
sors. Mother was an orphan and lived
with her hnlf.uncle--a mighty crusty
old man. Uncle Ephraim was. who
didn't have one bit OF use for peoples
getting married In secret. Father and
mother agreed not to mention their
marriage TIL after his graduation:
then he'd 20 TO his father and make
everything easy. and come for mother
SO he went and told him--fnthcr's IN
ther was n millionaire on Wall street
Mothers uncle was pretty well fixed.
too. but he didn't enjoy anything ex.
cept religion. When he wasn't at
chufch--he went most all the time
he was reading about H. Mother said
he wns most religious In Hebrew. bur
he enjoyed his Grghk verbs nwfully."
Grace Noir asked remotely. Did
you say that your parents clopod7"
They didn't run far" Fran OK.
planned; "they were married In tho
county. not far from Springfield"
II thought yos said" Grace inter
ruptcd. that they were In New York"
Did your" said Frnn politely. 80
father graduated. and went away to
tell hiu father all about being mar.
ricd to Josephine Derry don't know
what happened then. as he didn't come
back 10 toll. My mother waited and
waited--,nd wns born-nnd then
Uncle Ephrnim drove mother out OF
his house With bcr tiny baby-thats
me--and grew to be--as old as you
sec mo now. We were always hunt.
ing father We went all over tho
United States. first and lnst--it looked
liko tho son OF n millionaire ought to
bc cnay to md. But bc kept himself
close. and there was never n clew.
Then mother died. Somctimcs she
used 10 tell mo that sbe believed him
dead. that II ho'd been alive hc'd have
come for her. because she loved him