Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-12-04
Noir just die? d.
she comes now!"
o Lord, there

just dle! LoFu, lHeIe
she comes now!"
Fran left the disconsolate young
man in wild precipitation, and flew
into the house. He turned off in an
other direction, and Gregory and Grace
came slowly toward the house, having,
without much difficulty, eliminated
Simon Jefferson from their company.
In truth, Simon, rather than be i'm
proved by their conversation, had
dived down a back alley, and found
entrance through the side door. When
Hamilton Gregory and his secretary
came into the reception hall, the old
bachelor lay upon a divan thinking of
his weak heart-Fran's fight from
the choir loft had reminded him of it
and Mrs. Jefferson was tanning him.
as if he were never to be a grown
al Mrs. Gregory sat near the
group, silently embroidering in white
silk. Fran had hastily thrown herself
upon the stairway, and, with half
closed eyes, looked as IL she had been
there a long time.
Fran said Mrs. Gregory coldly,
you left the choir practice before we
were two-thirds done. OF course
could hardly expect you"-he looked
at his wife-"to stay, although your
presence would certainly have kept
Fran there; and it does look as if
we should be willing to resort to any
expedient to keep her there!"
How would a lock and chain do?"
Fran inquired meekly.
II don't think she came straight
home, either" remarked Grace Noi1
significantly. Did you, Franz"
Miss Noir," said Fran, smiling al
her through the banister-slats. "you
are so satisfactory; you always say
Just about what I expect. Yes, / came
straight home. I'm glad it's your bust
ness, so you could ask"
Hamilton Gregory turned to his
wife again, with restraint more
marked. Next Sunday is roll-call day
Mrs. Gregory. The board has decided
to revise the lists. We've been carry
ing so many that it's a burden
to the church. The world reproacheE
us, saying, Isn't So-and-so a member
He attends, does he? l d.
hope you will go next Sunday"
Mrs. Gregory looked down at he
work thoughtfully, then said, "Mothe
would be left"
Its just this way" her husband in
terposed abruptly: "If no excuses, sucl
as sickness, are sent, and if the peopl,
haven't been coming for months, an
don't intend coming, we are simpl,
determined to drop the names-strikI
'ep out. We believe church member
should show where they stand. And
and if you"
Mrs. Gregory looked up quietly
Her voice seemed woven of the sill
threads she was stitching in the whit
pattern. "If I am not a member O
the church. sitting ar hour in tn
building couldn't make me one"
Simon Jefferson cried out, "Is tina
my sister Lucy? Blessed il l though
she had so much spirit!"
do you call that spirit?" returne
Gregory, with displeasure.
WELL" snorted Simon, what d
you call it, them"
Perhaps" responded Gregory. wit
marked disapprobation, perhaps
was spirit"
Grace, still attired for the stree
looked down upon Mrs. Gregory as
turned to stone. Her beautiful fac
expressed something like a horrcr {
the others irreverence.
Fran shook back her hair, an
watched with cleaning eyes from b
hind the Stats, not unlike a sma
wild creature peering from its cage.
"Oh," cried Fran, Miss Noir fee
so bad!"
. Grace swept from the hall, h,
rounded figure instinct with the suffe
ings of a martyr.
Fran murmured, THAT killed her
"And you'll" cried Gregory, turnir
t suddenly In blind anger upon Il
other-"you don't care whose hea
/. you break"
t 81 haven't any power over hearts
retorted Fran, gripping her fingers t
her hands were little white balls. 20
D IL l only had! I'd get at 'em If
could-like this :"
She leaped to her feet.
"Am | always to be defied by you
he exclaimed; "is there to be no el