Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15

her age! She Is older than she pre-.
tends to bel"
IT believe this concludes our bar
gain" said Abbott. rising.
Mrs. Gregory was calm. Miss
Grace, Fran told me long ago that she
Is eighteen years old; she came 40 q
little girl, because she thought we
would take her In the more readily, II
we believed her mere child"
Does Mr.. Gregory know that?"
II haven't told him; don't know
whether Fran has or not
you haven't told him!" Grace was
speechless. "You knew It. and have
not told him? What ought I to dor"
"You ought to keep your promise"
Abbott retorted holly.
Sitting on that bridge at midnight.
alone, telling peoples fortunes by
cards, 49, Professor Ashton Mrs.
Gregory" Grace exclaimed, with one
of those flashes Of inspiration peculiar
to her sex, that Fran IL show grill"
Abbott started, but said nothing.
Mrs. Gregory rose, and spoke
through her mothers ear.trumphet,
Shall we 90 home, now?
THAT Fran" repeated Grace, rs q
show girl! She is eighteen or nine
teen years old, and she is a show
grill"
wouldn't it b best for you to ask
herr?
ASK her? Her? No, I ask you!"
Let me push the chair" said Alb
bott, stepping to Mrs. Gregory's side.
He read In the troubled face that she
had known this secret, also.
The secretary gaxed at him far
away look, hardly conscious that he
was beating retreat, 90 absorbed was
she in this revelation. Now, indeed,
1t was certain that Fran. the girl of
eighteen or nineteen, Fran, the show
ed that Mr.. Gregory must have known
her "father" when he was attending
college in Springfield, whereas, be-
lieying her much younger, It had all
the time been taken for granted that
they had been companions In New
York.
It would be necessary for some one
to 60 to Springfield to make investiga.
tions. Grace had for ever alienated
Abbott Ashton, but there was always
Robert Clinton. He would obey her
every wish; Robert Clinton should 60.
And when Robert had returned with a
full history of Hamilton Gregory's
school days at Springfield. and those
Of Gregory's intimate friend, Fran,
with the proofs of her conspiracy
spread before her, should be driven
forth, never again to darken the home
Of the philanthropist
For the most part. that was a silent
walk to Hamilton Gregorys. Abbott
Ashton pushed the wheel chair, and 1t
was only Mrs. Jefferson, ignorant Of
what had taken place, who commented
on the bright moon, and the relief Of
rose!scented breezes after the musty
auditorium of Walnut street church.
"They were bent and determined on
Fran going to choir practice" the old
lady told Abbott, 80 Lucy and went
along to encourage her, for they say
she has fine voice, and they want all
the good singing they can have at
Uncle lobe F'uller's funeral. Uncle
lobe, he didn't know one tune from
another, but now that he's dead, he
knows 'em all-for he was q good man.
7 despise big doings at funerals. but !
expect to 60, and a. can't hear the
solos. nor the preacher working up
feelings, all I'll have to do will be to
sit and look at the CONN.,"
Mother" said Mrs. Gregory, you
are not cheerful tonight"
mo" the other responded, Il think
it's from sitting SO long by the whited
sepulcher.''
Mrs. Gregory spoke into the trumpet
Abbott won't understand you; he
doesn't know you are using figure of
speech"
YES" said the old lady, Number
thirteen, II there's anything unlucky
in flgures.'
Abbott effected diversion. Mrs.
Gregory, I'm glad Miss Noir agreed to
say nothing about her discoveries, for
the only harm in them is what people
might imagine. I was pretty uneasy,
at first; OF course I knew that IL she
felt she ought to tell 1t, she would.
never knew anybody 50 conscientious"
There was pause, then Mrs. Greg
DRY responded, "She will not tell"
Abbott had seen them safely into the
house, and had reached the gate on his
departure, when Fran came running
up. In pleased surprise he opened the
gate for her, but she stopped in the
outside shadow, and he paused within
the yard.
Fran" he exclaimed with pleasure.
rs the practice ended?"
She made no response.
Fran. what's the natter"
Silence.
Abbott was both perplexed and hurt.
Remember what we said on the new
bridge he urged; we're friends
while we're together and after we
we part!'"
Somebody ought to burn that new
bridge said Fran. in muffled tone;
Its no good making wishes come
true"
"Why do you say that? Aren't we
the best of friends?"
Fran collected herself, and spoke
with cool distinctness: II have a pref.
ty hard battle to night, Mr.. Ashton, and
it's necessary to know who's on my
side, and who isn't. may not come