Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-01

why should he stand apparently help
less before this small bundle of AFRO
CANT impudence?
Gregory turned upon Fran with at
fected harshness. "You must CO." He
was annoyed that Grace should
imagine him weak.
Fran's face hardened. 1t became an
ak of stone, sharpened at each end
with eyes, nose and mouth in mar
row line of cold defiance. To Grace
the acute wedge of white forehead
cleaning its way to the roots OF the
black hair. and the sharp chin cutting
it's way down from the tightly drawn
mouth, spoke only Of cunning. She re-
garded Fran as fox. brought to bay
Fran spoke with calm dellberatlon
81 am not going away
81 would advise you" said Grace
looking down at her from under
dropping lids. Ito 60 at once, for a
storm is rising. Do you want to be
caught in the rain?'
Fran looked up at Grace, undaunted
81 want to speak to Mr.. Gregory. II
you are the manager of this house, ne
and can go outdoors. l don't mind
getting wet. I've been in all kinds OF
weather"
Grace looked at Gregory. Her
silences were effective weapons
81 have no secrets from this lady,
he said, looking into Grace's eyes
answering her silence. what 40 you
want to say to me. child?'
Fran shrugged her shoulders, al
ways looking at Grace. while neither
of the others looked at her. very
well, then, Of course 1t doesn't matter
to me, but I thought it might to Mr.
Gregory. Since he hasn't any secrets
from you, Of course he has told you
that one Of nearly twenty years
ago"
It was not the rumble Of distant
thunder, but strange exclamation
from the man that interrupted her:
It was some such cry as human
creatures may have uttered before the
of recurring experiences
into the terms of speech.
Fran gave quick, relentless blows !:
"Of course he has told you all about
his Springfield life" -
"Silence!" shouted Gregory, culver
ing from head to foot. The word was
like an imprecation, and for time II
kept kissing between his locked teeth.
"And of course" Fran continued,
fitting up her chin as IL to drive in the
words, "since you know all of his
of them-you have natur'
allv been told the most important one,
And so YOU know that when he was
boarding with his cousin in Spring
field and attending the college there,
like twenty years ago
Leave us!" Gregory cried, waving
a violent arm at his secretary, as II
to sweep her beyond the possibility or
another word.
Leave you-with herr" Grace stam-
too amazed by his attitude to
feel offended. -.
Eyes. yes, yes! Go at once!' He
seemed the victim of some mysterious
terror. 80,
Grace compressed her full lips Till
they we're thinned to white line.
'sDo YOU mean forever"
ooh, Grace-1 beg your pardon -
Miss Grace don't mean that, OF
course. What could I do without you?
Nothing. nothing, Grace-you are the
soul OF my work. Don't look at me SO
cruelty"
"Then you just mean" Grace said
"for me to go away for lit
tie while?"
"Only half an hour; that's all. Only
half an hour, and then come back to
me, and will explain
"You needn't go at all, on my &C.
count" observed Fran, with twist
Of her mouth. TITS nothing to me
you 60 or stay.
"She has learned secret" Gregory
stammered, that vitality affects-af
tects some people-some friends OF
mine. | must talk to her about-about
hat secret, just for little while.
Half an hour, Miss Grace. that Is ALL
That is really all-then come back to
me Won understand that its on &C.
count of the secret that I ask you to
|eava us. You understand that I would
never send you away from me II
had my way, don't you, Grace?
81 understand that you want me to
% now, Grace Noir replied, unre-
sponsive. She assembled the stairway,
At each step seeming to mount that
much higher into an atmosphere OF
righteous remoteness.
No one who separated Gregory
rom his secretary could enjoy his
.oleration, but Fran had struck far
below the surface Of likings and dis
ikings. She had turned back the COW
,ring of conventionality to lay bare
he quivering heartstrings of life
tself. There was no time to hesitate.
rhe stone ak which on other &C.
,asions might be laughing elfish face
vas now held ready for battle.
Hadn't we better go in a room
where we can talk PRIVATELY" Fran
asked. 81 don't like this hall. That
woman would just as soon listen over
he banisters as not. I've seen lots or
people like her, and I understand her
zind."
CHAPTER V.
We Reap What We Sow.