Putnam patriot., 1913-07-11
CHAPTER XVIII.
Just Thirty Minutes.

an errand which must result in ruini
 Mrs. Gregory would be pitied when it became known how she had been de- eeived; Fran would be pitied because she was a disewned daughter; Grace would be pitied for trusting in the in- tegrity of her employer-but Gregory, who of all men needed pity most, would be utterly despised. He did not think of himself alone, but of his works of charity-they, too, would fall, in his disgrace, and Walnut Street church. even religion itself-would be dis credited because of an exposure that could avail nothing
 Gregory had been too long proclaim ing the living God not to feel Him as a Presence, and in this Presence he felt shuddering fear that could sug- gest no relief but propitiation. He as we'll as Abbott Ashton had kept him self informed of Roberts movements as far as they were known to Miss Sapphira. hence the day of Roberts return found his thought of atonement at it's most frenzied stage.
 As evening wore on, he made up his mind to the fatal step.
 Before Robert could oppose him. Gregory would confess. Now that the last hour had come, he sought his wife, reeling like a sick man as he descended the hall stairs.
 Mrs. Gregory was softly playing an old hymn, when he discovered her nraSapoa in the hriI1iaptlx, Iiohtad nov Tor. Grace was expecting a visit from Clinton and had made the room cheer ful for his coming. and Mrs. Gregory. looking in and finding no one present, had sunk upon the stool before the piano. She did not see her husband. for her face was bent low as she feel lngly played, T Need Thee Every Hour"
 Gregory, wellnigh overwhelmed with the realization of what he meant to do, grasped the door for support. Presently he spoke, brokenly, Lucy, how true that is-we do, indeed, need Him every hour"
 She did not start at hfs voice, though his presence had been unsuspected. She raised her serious eyes. and ob- served his haggard face. "Mr. Greg ory, you are ill"
 "No-the light hurts my eyes" He turned off the lights and drew chair near her. The room was partly re- vealed by an electric arc that wung at the street corner-its mellowed beams entered the open window. Lucy, I have something very impor- tant to say 70 you"
 Her fingers continued to wander among the teys, making he lynn barely audible, then letting 1t die away, only to .s revived.
 Lucy, have never -,oken of this before, but it las seemed to me for a long time that we have wandered rather far apart-yes, very far apart. We sit close together. alone, our lands could touch. but our souls live in diff ferent worlds. Do you ever feel that way?"
 She ceased playing abruptly, and answered almost in a whisper. Yes" :"
 Perhaps it is my fault" -aid Greg ory, although I know that if you had taken more interest in what interests me, If you had been true to the Faith as I have tried to be-"
 T have been true to you," said Mrs. Gregory.
 "Of course-of course-there is no other. l feel that I am not wholly to blame Lucy, it has been my fault and it has been your fault-that is how I look at it."
 There was silence, then she said, There seems nothing to be done"
 How do you mean? You speak as if our love were dead and buried"
 She rose abruptly. saying. And it's grave unmarked"
 "Sit down, Lucy-I haven't told you what I came to tell-you must listen and try to see 1t as I see it. Let us be reasonable and discuss the future in ain a sensible and matter-of-fact way. If you will agree"
 T will not agree to it" she answered firmly. Let me go, MT. Gregory, there is no need ever to bring up that subject"
 He had risen, and now in blank amazement, he stared at her, repeat ing. You will not agree to 1t? To what? You are unreasonable. What subject have I brought up?"
 Tt is very true that we have drifted too far apart to be as we were in the beginning. But there is still some thing left to me. and this something shall cling to as long as can. mean to avoid the publicity, the open expos- ure, the shame of-of-a neglected wife"
 My God!" whispered Gregory, fall ing back, then somebody has tolA you about Springfield-it was Fran!"
 T don't know what you mean," she returned, apparently without emotion. What I mean Is, that l shall never consent to a divorce"
 "A divorce? Good heavens, Lucy. are you mad? Do you think I want a separation because you disown the church? What have I ever done to make you imagine such an absurdity?"
 She answered gently, Yes. 1t seems I misunderstood But you said you wanted me to discuss the future in a matter-of-fact way, and I couldn't think of the future as having any other matter-of-fact solution"
 Gregory was hotly indignant Lacy. if that is meant as an insinuation against"
 Mrs. Gregory raised her hand com peliingly. Do not speak any name, - .'- ;. >s--- .s~~Atiu- 4 T