The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1913-12-24

she Is my friend"
I'm a good deal like you" Fran
declared, following. 81 can like most
anything and anybody: but | can't 10
that far. Well. | don't like Miss Noir
and she doesn't like me--isn't that
fair?"
Examine YOURSELF" he advised.
and find out what It Is in you that she
doesn't like; then get rid OF what you
and"
HUH" Fran exclaimed, I'm going
to get rid OF her. all right"
He saw the old elfish smile now
when he least wanted to see II, for II
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 10 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
Grace stood. OF course, Hamilton Greg.
DRY; and, Judging from Bob Clinton's
regular visits, and his particular atten-
tons TO Grace, Fran classed him also
as a victim OF the enemy. Il now
seemed that Abbott Ashton followed
the flag Nolr; 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
Did bachelor with a weak heart. and an
old lady with ali ~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 a.
late breakfast Sunday.school bells
were ringing their first call. and there
was not a 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 II were an integral par,
OF the conversation. she offered-"And
Mrs. Gregory. 1, is SO nice that you
can go to church now, since. II Fran
doesn't want TO go. herself"
Which she doesn't. herself" Fran
interjected.
5 | presumed" Grace remarked
significantly. Mrs. Gregory, Fran
can stay with your mother-since she
doesn't care for ~church-and you car
attend services as you did when I frs,
came TO ~Littleburg."
Il am sure" Mrs. Gregory said aui
city. that It would be much better
for Fran 10 go 10 church. She uugh,
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 10
church! Mrs. Gregory was willing for
her husband to fight his Christian
warfare alone. But alone? No! not
while Grace could go with him.
Gregory coldly addressed Fran:
Then. will you go TO church?" Il
was AZ II 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. a little pale. but without
%rudeness. "Will you please excuse
me?" she asked with admirable re-
stralnt.
Miss Grace!" Hamilton Gregory ex.
claimed, disturbed. That she 81 ould
be driven from his table by an insult
to their religion was intolerable. Miss
Grace-forgive her"
Mrs. Gregory was pale, for she, too,
had 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
70 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 !Nolr. Let me
be the one to leave the room, since Il
isn't big enough for both OF US" She
darted up. and ran to the head of ths
table.
Mrs. Gregory buried her face in her
hands.
Don't you bother about me-" Fran
coaxed: TO think OF giving you pain,
dear LADY, | wouldn't hurt you for
anything In the world. and the per.
son who would isn't worthy OF being
I touched nv my font and US.ao