Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-12-04

thrilled his soul, while through the re-
fined ether of this pious Joy appeared
the loneliness of Grace Noir, lending
something like spiritual sensuousness
to his vision of duty.
He did not want the applause OF
the general public any more than he
wanted his past unearthed. 1t was
enough if his philanthropy was known
to God and Grace Noir. She stood, to
his mind, as a symbol Of religion
there can be no harm in ~reverencing
symbols. 2
Fran's eyes drew him abruptly from
his reverie.
Fran" he said, as If she had ap-
peared in answer to a summons, Il
am unhappy about you. Your deter
mination to have nothing to do with
the church not only distresses but en-
harnesses me. You have insisted on
coming into my life. Then why do
you disgrace it? You pretend that you
want to be liked by us, yet you play
cards with strangers at Nights out
rageous. You even threw a card in
my yard where a card was v seen
before" $50
DO you think cards are SO very
wicked?" asked Fran, looking at him
curiously. VI
you know what l think. / look on
gambling as immoral. But it ought to
be enough for me simply to forbid it.
She closed the door, and placed
her back against 1t. She looked him
in the eyes, and said abruptly
Il want to be your secretary"
Hamilton gripped his chair. Il have
a secretary" he retorted, looking al
her resentfully. He checked words he
would have liked to utter, on rejecting
that his secret was in Fran's keeping
How Grace would shrink from him, il
she knew the truth-how that mag
nifcent figure would turn its bach
upon him-and those scornful, imperi
Gus, never-faltering eyes. . .
Fran drew nearer. She seated her
self upon the arm of a chair, M foo
on the floor, and spoke with restrained
intensity: I'm well enough educated
I can take dictation and make goot
copy"
He allowed his tone to sound def
ance-"I already have a secretary"
Fran continued with an effort
Mother didn't like studying, very well
but she was determined to get me GU
Of the condition / was born in; sh,
taught me all she knew. Wasn't sh'
splendid! So patient" Fran paused
and stared straight before her, straigh
into the memory of her mothers eyes
Gregory refiected-"If this child ha,
not come, had not intruded hersel
upon my life! Haven't l sufrere
enough for my follies2"
"When mother died." Fran resumed
"she thought maybe Uncle EphraiI
had mellowed, so l went to him, BIZ
cause l thought I couldn't get alon
without love-" She shook her heat
with a pathetic little smile. "put
could! Uncle Ephraim didn't mellow
he dried up. He blamed me for bein
born-I think, myself, 1t was a mil
take. He turned me out, but l wa
SO tough l just couldn't be winte
killed. After that | went back to tn
show and stocked up in experience
l mention it to point out that a mil
job like being your private secretar
wouldn't strain a muscle"
Gregory's voice cut across hers. IN
secretary must be in sympathy wit
, my work. 10 exercise such talents
l have, is my religion, and | need
I helper whose ayes are fixed upon tt
higher life. This is final, and the su'
t ject must never be reopened. / fin
!, it very painful"
= Fran's discovery that he had nj
heard her plea, crimsoned her fac
t She jumped from the arm-chai
" breathing rapidly. "Then," she erie
"if you won't have me, get anothe
e The one you have must CO."
"She shall do nothing Of the sort
g he coldly responded.
YES" Fran retorted violently,
e tell you she must go!"
He struck the table with his pail
e "Never!"
d shall / use my last resource
n Fran's eyes cleaned ~ominously.
The hand upon the table became
fist. That was his only reply.
l. II would entreat YOU" said Fra
faltering, "and with tears-but VIII
y good would it do? None. There's
6 use for one to weep If anoth