Charlevoix county herald., 1913-09-13
ould see Mrs. Gregory kneeling be-

AiuOSt, sne sdiu, III eOlcilH un-
dertone, thou persuadest me to be q
Christian"
Had anyone but Mrs. Gregory been
singing that hymn, had anyone but
Fran been the one to intrude upon the
library scene. Grace must have been
overwhelmed. Az II 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
touched 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 It. know you won't
tell. I can't send Grace away, because
| need her. She will not go because
she knows herself to be strong. We
are going to hide our souls. And you
can't tell what you've seen. on ac-
count OF her" He pointed In the di-
rection OF his wife
Fran knew very well what he meant.
II she told the secret, II would dis
grace Mrs. Gregory. The revelation
might drive Grace away, though Fran
did not think 30, but certainly whether
Grace went, or stayed, 1t would break
the heart OF the one she loved best in
that home. Gregory was right; 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! Can't
you feel any shame?"
Grace did not smile contemptuousiy
She weighed these words at their real
value, and soberly Intercepted her
self. NO" she declared with DELHI
GRAFTON, Il feel no sense OF danger be-
cause / mean TO guard myself after
this. And my conscience bids me
stay. to show that / have not really
done anything" But she could not
deny the feeling of shame, for the
burning of her cheeks proved the
recollection Of hot kisses.
But suppose ! tell what l have
seen"
WELL said Grace. flashing out de-
Family, and suppose you dol"
Gregory muttered: Who would be-
lieve your"
Fran looked at him. Then" she
said, tho 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-"
Il will never tell her to CO." he as
sured her defiantly.
While, on the contrary" said
Grace. Il 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 perpleIity.
Fran regained composure 10 say
coolly. Il was just laughing Then
she stepped to her fathers chair and
handed him the sheet she had drawn
from the typewriter. The upper part
was an unfinished letter to the Chica-
60 mission, just as Grace had left il
in her haste to get rid OF Fran. At
odd variance with it's philanthropic
message were 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 II and smiled coldly. Yes"
she said. "the little spy has even fer
reted that out. has she! Very we'll,
she won't be so cool when Mr.. Clinton
returns from Springfield"
From Springfield" echoed Gregory
aghast.
From Springfield. Mr.. Gregory, ]
have made the discovery that this
Fran, whom you imagined only about
sixteen years old, and the daughter OF
an old friend, Is really Of age. She's
nothing bait circus-sirl. You thought
her joking whom she called herself q
lion-tamsr; that's tho way she meant
for US to lake it-but she cant de-
csive me. She's nothing but 4 show
girl pretending to come from Spring
neld. But I know better. SO I've
sent Mr.. Clinton there to ind out all
about the family OF your friend. and In
particular about the girl that this Fran
10 impersonsting."
You sent Bob Clinton to Spring
field" gasped Gregory, as II his mind
could get no further than that. Then
he turned savagely upon Fran-"And
did you tell her about Springfield"
Fran smiled her crooked smile.
Grace interposed: You may be sure
she didn't! Do>you think she wanted
her history cleared up? Mr.. Gregory.
you are so blinded by what she says
that you won't investigate her claims.
decided to DO this for your sake.
When Mr.. Clinton comes back, It's
good-by to this eircus-girli"