The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-02
FRAN
Copyright. 1912. by The Bobbs-Msrrin Co.

all the world did not see-or was IL
that all the world needed a Fran
to open eyes willfully blind?
With these thoughts, Abbott met
the evening train. 10 see Robert
IClinton hastily emerge from the
solitude he had endured in the midst
OF many.
Robert was In no pacific mood.
and when he found himself almost
In the arms OF Abbott. his greeting
was boisterous because impatient at
being stopped. Abbott. knowing
that Robert was not ordinarily eff
tusive, thought. He has the secret
Robert shook hands without de-
laying progress toward the waiting
hack, bearing Abbott along on
waves of greeting.
But surely you are not going to
ride!" Abbott expostulated.
Business very pressing - see
you later"
But | have business with you.
walk with me to town and I'll ex-
plain: it'll delay you only a few
minutes"
Like FESTIVE horse on finding
himself restrained, Robert Clinton
lifted leg without advancing. ooh,
VERY WELL" he agreed. I'm fact,
i've something important for you,
old fellow. and I'll explain before |
before the-yes, before" he ended.
turning his back upon the hack with
smothered growl.
They penetrated the silent by
streets of the outskirts OF Little
burg, Robert going as fast as he
could drag his companion, and Abb
bolt walking as slowly as he could
! hold back the other.
Lucky was at the station" Abb
bott exclaimed, since you've some
thing TO tell me. Bob. What is it,"
! In thus addressing his old friend as
t"Bob" the young man was officially
declaring that their relationship as
teacher and school-director was for
ever at an end, and they stood as
man TO man,
/ Clinton spoke rapidly, with his
wonted bruskness: Guess you know
1--we been knocking about the coun-
try for the last three or four weeks
saw a good many old friends
fellow can't go anywhere without
meeting somebody he knows-curi=
4 Gus, isn't IL? Well. I've got an
opening for you. You know how
sorry / am because we had 10 plump
another teacher on to your job, but
don't you worry If Fran did hold
your hand-just you keep your
hands in your pockets after this.
when there's danger-Say! I've got
something lots better for you than
I f fttfeburg School out In Oklahoma
I-rich-private man behind it-he
owns the whole plant, and he's de-
termined TO run IL TO suit the new
ideas. This rich man-chum OF
mine-went West, bought land, sat
on II, got up with his jeans full of
money. Wants you to come at once. "
Abbott was elated. What kind
of new ideas, Bob?" he asked joy
ously.
"Oh. that impractical nonsense OF
teaching life instead OF books
guess It's as much an advance over
the common thing, as teaching
words instead OF a. b. c's. You know
what mean, but / don't think |
do. Don't worry about II now
something terrible's on my mind
Just awful! can't think OF any
Thing else. What you want to do
lis to scoot out TO Tahlelah. Oklaho-
ma. to this address-here's his card
tell 'em Bob sent you" He
Hooked at Abbott feverishly as II al
most hoping Abbott would bolt for
lTahlelah then and there. His broad
Ired face was set determinedly
This news is splendid" Abbott
declared enthusiastically. 81 had
already applied for country
school; I was afraid | had lost out
a whole year on account of-every-
lining must thank"
Abbott, | don't want to be
thanked, / haven't got time 10 be
thanked. Yonder's Hamilton Greg
lory's house and that's where I'm
bound-good night"
But, Bob, haven't told you my
business"
I'll hear It later, old fellow
ldear old fellow think a heap OF
lyou, old Abb. But must go now"
mo, you mustn't. Before you 60
Into that house, we must have lit
, tile talk. We can't talk here-peo-
pie are coming and going"
81 don't want 10 talk here, bless
You! ! want to go in that house
INV business is private and press
ling" The gate was but few yards
, laway; he looked at IL fixedly, but
abbot held his hand upon the agi-
= tated arm.
Bob, what ! have TO tell you
cant wait, and that's all about II
Ii won't keep you long, just turn
down this alley with me, for It's
matter Of life and death"
"Confound your life and death!
my business is life and death, too. y
, At that moment, a light was turn
! ed on in Gregory's library. and
, Grace Noir was seen TO pass the
window.
Abbott's hand frightened on the
others arm, as he urged, Down
} that alley, a nice dark place fol
talking"
"'Nice dark be hanged" growl-
J ed Robert. What business can
= you have with me that wouldn't
wait till morning? Look here. I'm
3 desperate!"
80 am l." retorted Abbott. Bob,
= you've been TO Springfield"
Robert Clinton snatched open the
: yard-gate, muttering, That's my
business.