Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-11-21


"She is my friend"
I'm a good deal like you," Fran
declared, following. 81 can like most
anything and anybody; but can't go
that far. Well. don't like Miss Noir
and she doesn't like me-isn't that
fair?"
Examine yourself" he advised.
land find out what it is in you that she
doesn't like; then get rid of what you
find"
HUH" Fran exclaimed, Pm going
to get rid of her. all right"
He saw the old elfish smile now
when he least wanted to see 1t, for it
threatened the secretary. Knocked the
grave superintendent, and asserted the
girls right to like whom she pleased.
Fran escaped, recognizing defeat;
but on her homeward way, she was
already preparing herself for the next
move. So intent was she in estimat-
ing the forces of both sides. that she
gave no heed to the watchful faces
| at cottage windows. she did not recog-
nize the infrequent passers-by, nor OBJ
serve the occasional buggies that
creaked along the rutted road. With
ory; and, judging from Bob Clinton's
regular visits. and his particular atten-
tions to Grace. Fran classed him also
as victim OF the enemy. 1t now
| seemed that Abbott Ashton followed
the flag Noir; and behind these three
leaders, massed the congregation of
Walnut Street church. and presumably
the town of Littleburg
Fran could count for her support an
old bachelor with weak heart, and an
| old lady with an ear-trumpet. The odds
were terribly against her.
The first light skirmish between
| Fran and Grace took place on Sunday.
All the Gregory household were at
late breakfast Sunday-school bells
were ringing their first call. and there
was not cloud in the heavens as big
as a mans hand. to furnish excuse for
non-attendance.
The secretary fired the first shot.
Apropos of nothing that had gone be-
fore, but as II it were an integral part
of the conversation, she offered-"And.
Mrs. Gregory. it is SO nice that you
can go to church now. since. If Fran
doesn't want to go, herself"
|
interjected.
so l presumed" Grace remarked
significantly. Mrs. Gregory. Fran
can stay with your mother-since she
doesn't care for church-and you can
attend services as you did when first
came to Littleburg."
81 am sure" Mrs. Gregory said quiz
city, that 1t would be much better
for Fran TO go to church. She ought
to go-I don't like to think of her stay
ing away from the services-and my
duty is with mother"
Grace said nothing, but the express
sion of her mouth seemed to cry aloud.
Duty, indeed What did Mrs. Gregory
know about duty. neglecting the God
| who had made her. to stay with an old
| lady who ought to be wheeled to
church, Mrs. Gregory was willing for
her husband to fight his Christian
| warfare alone. But alone? mol not
while Grace could go with him.
Gregory coldly addressed Fran:
Then, will you go to church, 1t
was as If he complained. Since my
| wife won't"
81 might laugh" said Fran. 81 don't
understand religion"
Grace felt her purest ideals insulted.
She rose, little pale. but without
rudeness "Will you please excuse
me?" she asked with admirable re-
straint
Miss Grace!" Hamilton Gregory ex-
claimed, disturbed. That she should
be driven from his table by an insult
to their religion was intolerable. Miss
Grace-forgive her."
Mrs. Gregory was pale. for she, TOO.
mad felt the blow. "Fran!" she ex-
claimed reproachfully.
Old Mrs. Jefferson stared from the
| girl seated at the table to the erect
secretary. and her eyes kindled with
admiration. Had Fran commanded the
dragon" to "stand?"
Simon Jefferson held his head close
to his plate, as II hoping the storm
might pass over his head.
Don't go away!" Fran cried, ever
come at sight of Mrs. Gregory's dis
tress. "Sit down, Miss Noir. Let me
be the one to leave the room. since 1t
isn't big enough for both of u.s." She
darted up, and ran to the head of the
table.
Mrs. Gregory buried her face in her
hands.
Don't you bother about me-" Fran
coaxed; "to think of giving you pain,
dear ladyl wouldn't hurt you for
anything in the world, and the per-
son who would isn't worthy of being
touched by ny foot" and Fran