Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-04

that friend--oh. not Of money. Of
course--a debt which circumstances
prevented me from paying from
meeting-which I still owe to the
memory OF that--er-or that dead
friend. The friend Is dead, you under
stand, yes, dead"
Mrs. Gregory could not understand
her husbands unaccustomed hest.
fancy. She inquired of Fran, And Is
your mother dead, too, little girl?'
That simple question, innocently
preferred, directed the course OF
future events. Mr. Gregory had not in
tentionally spoken of his friend in
such way as to throw doubt upon
the sex. Now that he realized how his
wife's Misunderstanding might save
him, he had not the courage to I'm.
deceive her.
Fran waited for him to speak. The
delay had lost him the power to reveal
the truth. Would Fran betray him? He
wished that the thunder might drown
out the sound of her words, but the
storm seemed holding its breath to
listen. 49, 49,
Fran said quietly, "My mother died
three years ago." ~. .
Mrs. Gregory asked her husband.
did you ever tell me about this
friend? I'd remember from his name;
what was it?" ...... ...
It seemed impossible for him to
utter the name which had sounded
from his lips so often in love. He
opened his lips, but he could not say
Josephine" Besides, the last name
would do. Derry" he gasped.
Come here. Fran Derry" said Mrs.
Gregory, reaching out her hand, with
that sweet smile that somehow made
Fran feel the dew OF tears.
Hamilton Gregory plucked up
spirits. 81 couldn't turn away the
daughter Of my old friend. You
wouldn't want me to do that. None Of
you would. Now that I've explained
everything. I hope therell be no OBJ
lection to her staying here In the
house-that is, II she wants to stay.
She has come to do it, she says all
the way from New York"
Mrs Gregory slipped her arm about
the independent shoulders, and drew
the girl down beside her upon divan.
do you know" she said gently, you
are the very first of all his New York
friends who has come into my life?
Indeed. I am willing, and indeed you
shall stay with us, just as long as you
will" l'.
Fran asked impulsively, as she
clasped her hands, do you think you
could like me? Could-you?"
Dear child'-the answer was ac-
companied by gentle pressure you
no low M hI1c n G
friend. That's enough for me. You
need home, and you shall have one
with us. like you already. dear"
CHAPTER VII (ContinueG.
Tears dimmed Fran's eyes. And |
just love YOU" she cried. "My! What
a woman you are!"
Grace Noir was silent. She liked
Fran less than ever. but her look was
that of a hired secretary, saying.
with all this, have nothing to do
Doubtless, when alone with Hamilton
Gregory, she would express her sin
cere conviction that the girls
presence would interfere with his
| workout these others would not un-
derstand They dwelt entirely apart
from her employers philanthropic en-
terprises. they did not even sympa-
thize with his religious activities. or
even read his weekly ma "aZ'ne. No
body understood him as she did.
Frans unconventionality had given
to Mrs. Gregory's LAUGH girlish note,
its wonted gravity. Perhaps the slight
hollows in the cheeks had been
pressed by the fingers OF care. but it
was rather lack of light than presence
Of shadow that told Fran something
was missing from the woman.heart.
In the meantime old Mrs. Jefferson
had been looking on with absorbed at
tention, desperately seeking TO
triumph over her enemy. deaf demon
that for years had taken possession or
her. Now, with an impatient hand. she
sent her wheel-chair to her daughters
side and proffered her ear-trumpet.
Mother" Mrs. Gregory called
through this ebony connector OF
souls 'thfs is Fran Derry, the daugh-
ter of Mr.. Gregory's dear friend. one
he, used to know in New York. many
years before he came to Littleburg.
Fran is an orphan, and needs nome.
We have asked her to live with U.S.
Mrs. JEFFERSON ulu uoI always "a'
Alright but she always responded with
as much spirit as II her hearing were
never in doubt. "And what I'd like to
know" she cried, "is what you are
asking her to give us"
Grace Noir came forward with quiet
resolution. "Let me speak to your
mother" she said to Mrs. GREGORY.
Mrs. Gregory handed her the tube
somewhat surprised. since Grace
made 1t a point of conscience seldom
to talk to the old lady. When Grace
Noir disapproved Of any one. she did
not think 1t right to conceal that fact
Since Mrs. jefferson absolutely re-
fused to attend religious services. al
leging as excuse that she could not
hear the sermon. refusing to offer up
the sacrifice Of her fleshy presence as
an example to others-Grace disap-
proved most heartily.
Mrs. jefferson held her head to the
trumpet shrinkingly as II afraid OF
getting her ear tickled.
Grace spoke quietly, but distinctly,
as she indicated Fran-"You know
how hard it is to get q good servant in
Littleburg." Then she returned the