The Washington herald., 1913-03-30
JOHN BRECKENRIDGE ELLIS

y Just wanted TO find out if Grace
Noir IS gong to get you" she said
cand1dly; 1t doesn't matter what be-
comes Of her. Were you ever on this
bridge before.'
Fran. Miss Grace is one of the be,e
trends | have, and-and everybody
admires her. The fact that you don't
like her. shows that you are not all
you ought to be-"
., What does the fact that>she doesn't
like me show,"
1t shows that you ought to be
changed. 1t was fatal mistake when
you lett school, but it's worse for vou
to refuse persistently to go to church"
And she told you that. did shesn
want your higher nature To he
developed. Take Miss Grace for YOUR
model know you have noble inn
pulses; grow up to be. noble woman
try to be like her
He was sorry TO strike tb-sr r...s
s,ary blows. she seemed so pitifully de-
ieIlseless as he watched the motionless
hgnIe at his feet. Fran's dropping
mead AID her face. Was she oontrite,
or mocking?
Presently she looked TIP. her express
SION that of grave cheerfulnes.. Now
you've said what you thought YOU had
TO say, she remarked. SO that's over
were You ever on this bridge before,"
Abbott was offended. No"
Good, good" with vivacious en-
thusiaSm- Both of US cross it at the
same tune and make wish. Help me
She reached up both hands. and Ab-
bott lifted her to her feet.
whenever YOU cross a new bridge"
Shc explained, YOU must make a wish
botta" - nD
OF course. What a supers,i,ious lit
tie Nonpareil! Do you hold hands ,"
honest hands" she held out both
OF hers: Come on then. What are
you going TO wish. Abbotts But NO
you mustn't t tell till we're across. Oh
m Just dying to know, Have YOU
made up your mind, yet?"
Yes, Fran" he answered induIeent-
F. ITS something always in nv mind"
About Grace Noir.''
Nothing whatever about Miss Grace
Noir'
All right; I'm glad Say this:
Slow we 60.
Two IN a row
DON'T talk or anything. lust wish. oh
wish with all your might
win all my mind and all nv heart.
While were together and after we
part
say that"
Abbott repeated gravelv:
With all my mind and all nv heart
While we're together and after we
part
Franz" '
"S-h-h. Num- whispered Fran.
opening her eyes wide. With slow
steps they walked side by side. shoJ-
ger I to shoulder. four hands clasped.
frans great dark eyes were set fxedlv
upon space. as they solennly paradcd
beneath the watchful moon. As Alb
oott watched her, the witchery of the
night stole into his blood. Beneath
them, the brook murnured drowsilv
IN It's dark bed. Beyond. stretched
the meadows. and. far awav. the
woods. Before them, and behind. ran
the rutted road. hard and cleaning.
over them. the moon showcred its pro-
fusion of silver beams. Within them
were-wisheS.
The last plank was crossed. Now"
Fran cried breathlessly. what did Won
wish:' Her body was quivering, her
face glowing.
That | might succeed Abbott an
swered
. Oh said Fran. My, That was ;
like cold breath. Just wishing TO be
rich!'' anu
Abbott laughed as light -hcartedlv as
il the road were not calling them
away from solitudes We'll, wha, did
YOU Iish. Fran"
That you might ALWAYS be nv
friend. while we're together. and after
we part
1t doesn't take new bridge to
make that come true he declared.
She looked at him solemnly. DO
you understand the responsibilities of
'eing friend: A friend has TO assume
Obligations. Just as when a mans elect
I'd to otflce. he must represent his
'arty and his platform"
I'll stand for your Abbott cried
Will you' Then I'm going to tell
'ou all about myself-rcady to be sur
'rised? Friends ought TO know each
'ther. In the first place | am eight
ZEN years of age. and in the second
Mace / am a professional hon-trainer,
md in the third place nv father is
'ut friends don't have to know each
'thers fathers. Besides, maybe that's
nough to start with"
Yes, said Abbott 1T is" He
'aused, but she could not guess his
for his face showed nothing
ut sort Of blanknesS. Il should like
o take this up seriatim. You tell me
'ou are eighteen years old."
And have had lots of experience"
Your lion-training; has it been. the
'retical. or"
"Mercenary," Fran responded: real
IONS. real bars, real spectators. real
ay days
But Fran said Abbott helplessly,
i don't understand
But you're going to. before I'm
lone with you. / tell YOU. I'm a
how girl. a lion-tamer. jungler. I'm
he famous Fran Nonparcil. and nv
arrival company has showed in most
# the towns and cities of the United
states ! guess you feel funny to have
uch celebrated person talking to
ou, but in ordinary life, great people
rent different It's when I'm in my
lue silks and gold stars and crimson
ashes, kissing my hands to the audi
nee. that I'm the real princess"
To BE CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY.