The Detroit times., 1913-01-06

II means a Fellowship OF souls, Low g
does; IL has Lotbing 20 do with the
physical man. II means just your soul
and mine and it's too late!"
Grace. with hands locked upon her
open ledger, stared straight before
her, as II turned TO stone. The little
tenced-in box, hanging high above
eager shoppers, was as a peaceful
haven In storm OF raging noises
From without, gusts OF merriment
snrieked and whistled, while above
them doomed the raucous cries o.
showmen, drowned in their turn by
the indefatigable Grassland. The al.
mosphere OF the bookkeeper's loft was
n wedge OF silence, splitting a solidar-
ty OF tumult.
Gregory covered his face with his
hands. do you despise me. you pure
angel OF beauty? oh, say you don't
utterly despise me. I've not breathed
this secret to any living soul but you,
you whom love with the madness oil
despair. My heart is broken. Tel
me what can do"
At last Grace spoke in a thin tone:
Where is that woman"
Fran's mother"
She did not reply; he ought to
know whom she meant
she died a few years ago-but
thought her dead when married Mrs.
Gregory. ] didn't mean any wrong to
my wife, wanted everything legal.
and supposed II was. thought every.
thing was all right until that awful
iight-when Fran came. There'd
been no divorce, so Fran kept the Sc
cret-not on. my account, oh. no., no.
not on her fathers account! she
gave me no consideration. II was op
account of Mrs. Gregory"
Which Mrs. Gregory"
You know-Mrs. Gregory"
Can you believe that?" Grace
asked, with a chilled smile. You be-
lieve Fran really cares for your wife?
You think any daughter could care
for the woman who has stolen her
mothers rightful placer"
But Fran won't have the truth de-
clared; if IT weren't for her. Bob
would have told you long ago"
Suppose were in Fran's place
would | have kept the secret to spare
man or woman? No. Fran doesn't
care q penny for your wife. She
couldn't. 1t would be monstrous-un
natural. But she's always hated me.
That's why she acts as she does-to
triumph over me. I see II ali. That
is the reason she won't have the truth
declared-she doesn't want me 10
know that you are-are free"
Grace started up from the desk, her
lit
ing, but when Gregory would have
leaped to her side. she whispered.
They would see us Suddenly her
face became crimson. He caught his
breath, speechless before her imperia.
loneliness.
"Mr. Gregory" her eyes were burn.
ing into his, have you told me all
the secret?"
'Yes-all."
Then Mr.. Clinton deceived mel"
He agreed to hide everything, II
Id send you away"
"Oh, l see So even he is one OF
Fran's allies. Never mind-did you
say that when you married the second
time, your first wife was living, and
had never been divorced?"
But Grace-dear Grace! | thought
it all right. | believed"
She did not seem to hear him.
Then she is not your wife," she said
in a low whisper.
she believes"
she believes!" Her voice rose
scornfully. And so that is the fact
Fran wanted hidden; you are not
really bound to Mrs. Gregory"
mot legally-but--"
I'm what way, them"
Why, in no regular way-I mean
but don't you see, there could be no
now to make it binding,
without telling her"
You are not bound at ALL Grace
interrupted. you are free-as free
rs air-as free as | am Are you de-
not to understand me? Since
YOU are free, there is no obstacle, III
heaven or on earth, TO your wishes
His passage from despair to sudden
hope was so violent that he gTasped
he desk for support. What Then?