The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-29

for Grace did not pause, but went
over to the piano-Mrs. Gregory an.
parently reconsidered, and stepped to
her husbands side.
$50 you did come" Grace said. smil.
Ing at Robert. "Shall We go into the
other room?"
Robert reveled in her beauty, and to
that extent his anger against Gregory
named higher. Pretty soon," he sasd,
pretty soon, Miss Grace-in just
twenty minutes" he looked at his
watch, then at Abbott.
~ must tell you, Mr.. Gregory" Alb.
bott began rapidly, that l had Just
thirty minutes to consummate the
matter with you-just half an hour,
when we came here, and ten minutes
are already gone. Only twenty min
utes are left"
What do you mean by your twenty
minutes being left?" Gregory blus-
tered.
Abbott spoke carefully, at the same
time drawing little farther away
from the man he despised: Bob has
been to Springeld about that matter,
you understand"
"No. DON'T" cried Gregory. "Or II
/ do-tell it out-all Of it."
HE has been to Springfield" Alb.
bott went on, "and he got on the in
side of the business, and the interests
are determined that-that they will
retaliate on you for your successes In
the past, and at the same time be O.
help to Bob"
II don't understand" Gregory gasped
blankly.
me neither" muttered Robert.
IT'S very simple" Abbott main.
tanned. "The Springfield interests
want to give you q blow, and give Bob
q helping hand. Therefore, you are
to transfer your.secretary to his store.
where bookkeeper is needed"
"Oh, indeed" interposed Grace Noir
icily. II am a mere pawn, / presume,
to be sent where I am wanted. But I
would like to ask Mr.. Clinton II he
found out anything about Fran, while
he was in Springfield"
Fran Is all sine claims to be-" Rob.
ert declared bluntly.
"All? You can prove she's no
fraud?"
my pockets are full of proofs"
Robert exclaimed. looking significant.
ly at Gregory.
Dear Franz" murmured Mrs. Greg.
ory with sweet smile of reminis.
cence.
Abbott" Mr.. Gregory gasped, as he
began to realize the compromise that
was offered. you have always been
my friend-and you have been inter.
ested In my charities-you know how
important my secretary is to my work.
1t Is true that did wrong, years ago
very wrong-it is true that bitter.
ly-what shall say?-antagonized the
interests at Springfield. But that was
long ago. Am to be punished now"
MIR. Gregory" said Abbott. clearly
and forcibly, II have nothing to do
with any punishment, l have nothing
to do with demanding the release of
your ::ecretary. am a mere agent
of the interests, sent to you to demand
that your secretary be dismissed in
the morning; and If you cannot see
your way to promise me now that YOU
will dismiss her, my ofi1ce Is ended.
II you can promise to send her away.
l give you my word the transactions
shall be forever hushed up, 30 far a.
we are concerned. II you cannot prom.
ise. all will be revealed at once"
In just ten minutes" said Robert
Clinton, consulting his watch.
Grace stood looking ut Gregory as II
turned to stone. She had listened In.
tently to every word as 1t fell from
Abbott's lips, but not once had she
turned her head to look at him.
You are cruel" Gregory fared out,
you are heartless. II send away
the only one who u I'm perfect knowl-
edge and Jympathy with my work"
Then you refuse?"
"Of course refuse. I'll not permit
the work Of years to perish because
OF an unreasonable and preposterous
demand. You wouldn't exchange your
position here for Bob's grocery. would
you. Miss Grace?" he ended appeal.
ingly.
"Yes--if you dismiss me-" Grace an
swered, her eyes smoldering.
Lucy"-Gregory was almost beside
himself-"tell her she must stay-tell
these men we cannot 90 on with our
work. without her"
Not for worlds would Mrs. Gregory
have betrayed her eagerness for Trace
to go. but for no consideration would
she have asked her to stay. "Mr.