Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-05-27

get rid OF Grace Noir 20 could better
my candition ct her expense. don't
know how to make you see that my
story u true. It tells itself. Oughtn't
that to prove It? Mrs. Gregory has
tho doves nature; she'd let the enemy
have tho spoNs rather than come to
blows. She lets him take his choice
hero 10 she. yonder's the secretary.
He isn't worthy Of her II he chooses
0race-but his hesitation has proved
him unworthy. anyhow. The old lady
her mothers fighter; she'd have
driven out the secretary long ago. But
Mrs. Gregory's idea seems to be-'If
he can want her, after rye given him
Interfere"
Abbott played delicately with the
mere husk Of this astounding revela-
ton: "Have you talked with old Mr..
Jefferson about-about it,"
She's too proud admit It
But rye shyly limited however.
it's not the sort Of story you could
pour through the funnel of an ear
trumpet without getting wheat mixed
with chat. Shed misunderstanding
neighbors would get 1t drst-anyway
she wouldn't make move because her
daughter won't It's you and 1, Alb
bolt, against Grace and Mr.. Gregory"
He murmured, looking away, you
take me for granted. Fran"
yes" Fran,s reply was almost .
whisper. A sudden terror Of what he
might think Of her. smote her heart
But she repeated bravely. "Yes!"
He turned. and she saw in his eyes
. conndtnE trust that seemed to
hedge her soul about. "And you can
always take me for granted. Fran; and
always II q long time"
Not too long for you and me-" said
Fran. looking at him breathlessly.
II may have felt" he said, "for some
time. in vague way, what you have
told me. or course 1t IL evident that
he prefers Miss Noir's society. But I
have. always thought-or hoped-or
wanted to feel. that It was only the
common tic Of religion"
1T was not the truth that you
chung to. Abbott. but appearances. Az
for me, let truth kill rather than live
~ sham. II Grace Noir stays. the
worst is going to happen. She may
not know how far she's going. He
may not suspect he's doing wrong,
People can make anything they want
seem right In their own eyes. But I've
found out that wickednees isn't sta.
tionary. it's got . sort Of perpetual
motion. II We don't drive Grace away.
the crash will come"
"Fran-how you must love Mrs.
Gregory"
"She breaks my heart"
Dear faithful Fran! What can we
DOL say we, Fran, observe"
''Oh. you Abbott Ashton Just
what thought you! No. no, you
mustn't interrupt. I'll manage Grace
Noir, II you'll manage Bob Clinton"
Where does Bob Clinton come in ?"
Grace II trying to open door so
he can come in, mean q secret in
Mr.. Gregory's past. She suspects that
there's secret in his past, and che
intends to send Bob to Springfield
where Mr.. Gregory left that secret
Bob will bring it to Littleburg. He'll
hand it over to Grace. and then she'll
have Mr.. Gregory in her power
thereIl be no getting her hands Cd
him, after that
Surely you don't mean that Mr..
Gregory did wrong when he was
young. and that Miss Noir suspects
IT."
Bob will bring home the secret
and 1t will kill Mrs. Gregory, Abbott
and Grace will go OF with him
know how it'll end"
What is this secret"
you are never to know, Abbott"
Very well-so be 1t. But l don't
believe Mr.. Gregory ever did very
.wrong-he Is too good q man."
isn't he. daily breaking his wife's
hearth" retorted Fran with curl OF
the lip. 81 call that murder"
..'But still!-But ! can't think he
realizes It."
.-Then." said Fran satiricAlly. well
Just call 1T mansl6ashter. When ]
think Of his wifsss .mssk patient face
don't you recall that look In her
eyes OF the vounAaA deer-and the
thousands OF timeo.youve seen those
two together. 1t chnrch, on the street
IN the Nhfary-everywhere
seeing only each othsf. leaning closer.
smiling :deepsr-as II doing good
meant getting close Oh. Abbott, you
know what mean don't you. don't
your"
"Yesi" cried Abbott sharply. Fran
you arc right. have been-all Of nj
have bsen-clinstng to appaarances
Yes, I know what you mean"
You'll keep Bob Clinton from tell.
ing that secret. won't you? He's to 60
tonight, on the long 5ourney-tonight,
after the hoard meetina It'll take him
three or four days. Then he'll come
back
"But he'll never tell the secret" Alb
bolt declared. His mouth closed a
BY . spring.
Fran snatched up the whip. and
leaned over - II q lash the empty
shafts. She had suddenly become the
child again. I've must drive out Of
sure-Enoush Country. now. Time to get
back to the MaheDstieve World" She
stood up. and tho Mp robe fell about
her lfke green waves from which
springs . laughing nymph.
Abbott stu felt stunned. The crash
Of an ideal arousss the echo-"ls