The Washington herald., 1913-03-09
CHAPTER ~.
The Woman Who Was Not Mrs.
Gregory.

Hardly had abbott Ashton disap-
peared down the village vista OF moon
light and shadow patches, before Fran ;
mood changed. Instead of seeking to
carry out her threat OF boarding the
lion in the den. she sank down on the
porch steps, gathered her knees in her
arms. and stared straight before her
She made woebcgonc little figure
with her dusty shoes, her black stock
ings. her huddled body, while the big
hat threw all into deepest gloom From
hat to drawn-in feet. she was not I'M
like a narrow edge OF darkness split
ting the moon sheen. somber shadow
cast bv goodness -knows-what and
threatening goodneS>-knows-whom.
Though OF >kiiful resources. OF i'm
prcgnablc resolution. Fran could be
respondent TO the blucst degree; and
though competent at the clash. she
often found herself purpling on the eve
ni the crisis The moment had come
to test her fighting qualities. yet she
drcopcd despondently.
Hamilton Gregory was coming
thro,1gh the gate " he halted in sur
prise, the black shadow rose slowly.
wcarils. He. little dreaming that he
was confronted by shadow from the
past. saw in her only the girl who had
been publicly expelled from the tent.
The choir leader had expected his
home coming 10 be crowned by vision
very different. He came up the walk
SLOWLY. not knowing what to say. She
waited outwardly calm, inwardly gath
cring power. White-hot action from
Fran. when the iron was to be welded
Ont OF tho deepening shadows her will
lcapcd keen as a blade
She addressed him. Good evening
Mr.. Gregory.
He halted. When he poke. his tone
expressed not only a general disap-
proval OF all girls who wander away
from their homes i'll the night, but al
especial repugnance to one who could
laugh during religious services dc
YOU want to speak TO me. child"
"YeS" The word was almost {
whisper. The sound OF his voice hat
weakened her.
What do YOU want He stepped III
on the porch. The moon had vanished
behind the rising masses OF storm
clouds. not to appear again. but thu
light through the glass door revealed
his poetic features. Flashes of light
ming as yet faint but rapid in recur
renee. showed his beauty as that of ;
Young man. Fran remained silent
moved more than she could hav'
thought possible. lie stared intently
but under that prcposterous hat, sh
was practically invisible, save as ;
black shadow. He asked again, witt
growing impaticncc. What do yoI
want:
His unfriendlinesS gave her the spu
she needed. Il want a home,' she sale
decidedly.
HamiltolNG Gregory was seriously dis
turbcd However disposed. th
waif should not be left to wander aim
lcsslv about the streets. OF the thre,
hotels in Littlcburg, the cheapest wa.
her there DO you mean to tell me,
he temporized, that you are absolutel!
alone"
cause she felt bitter. but lest she be
trav too great feeling, 'Absolutel
alone in the world"
He was sorry for her; at the SAM
time he was subject to the reaction o
his exhausting labors as song leader
Then" he said. with tired resignation
IF You'll follow me, I'll take you wher
YOU can spend the night, and to-mor
row. I'll try to find you work"
Work She laughed. 'Oh. than
vou!" Her accent was that of repudia
ton. Work. indeed.
He drew back i'll surprise and dis
pleasure.
You didn't understand me" she re
stunned. What ] want is home
don't want to follow YOU anywhere
This is where | want to stay"
You cannot stay here" he answered
with a slight smile at the prcsumptu
ous request, but I'm willing to pa.
for a room at the hotel---
At this moment. the door was opcne,
bv the Young woman who. some hour
earlier, had responded to Fran's knock