The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-13


your chi1do"
But She was seeking to play upon
strings that had long since ceased to
vibrate. He could not bring back
even in retrospect, the emotions in
spired by Josephine Derry. Those
strings had been tuned to other love
harmonies. To remember Fran's
mother was to bring back not the rap
ture of first passion, but the garrish
days of establishments. He even felt
something like resentment because she
had remained faithful-hef search and
unending love for him made so much
more of his desertion than ever he had
made.
He could not tell Fran that he had
never loved her mother The dead
must not be reproached; the living
could not be denied-so he was silent.
His silence inspired Fran with hope.
Il am so lonely. so lonely~ she muir
INJURED plaintively. so very lonelyP'
There seems reason for everybody
but mel can't be explained. That's
why | am disliked. If there could be
one heart for me to clainl-whose
heart should it be? Does no sort OF
feeling tell you whose heart it should
be?'
"Of course, you are lonely, child.
but that is your fault You are in this
house on a footing of equality, and
all seem to like you, except Miss
'Crace-and | must say, her disap-
prova1 disturbs you very little. But
YOU won't adopt our ways. You get
yourself virtually expelled from school
do you blame me for that? You
won't 60 to church-can you expect
church people to like you? You make
everybody talk by your indiscreet be-
havior-then wonder that the town
shuns your society, and complain be-
cause you feel lonesome!
Fran's eyes filled with tears. eff you
believe in me-if you try to like NE
that's all | ask The whole town can
talk, If | have you. | don't care for
the world and its street corners-there
are no street corners in my'world.'
Butts child"
"You never call me Fran if you can
help it." she interposed passionately
Even the dogs have names. Call me
by mine; it's Fran Say it, say it. Call
me-oh, father, father. | want your
love"
Hush" he gasped, ashen pale. you
will be overheard"
She extended her arms wildly: What
do You know about God, except that
He's Father That's all-Father-and
you worship Him as His son. Yet you
want me to care for your religion
Then why don't you show me the
way to God? Can you love Him and
deny your own child? Am 7 to pray
to Him as my Father in heaven. but
not dare acknowledge my father on
earth? No! | don't know how others
feel, but I'll have to reach heavenly
things through human things. And |
tell you that you are standing between
me and God, lust as the lives of so
many Christians hide God from the
world"
Hush, hush cried Gregory. Child
this is sacrilegel'
No. it is not | tell YOU. | can't
see God, because you're in the way
You pray, Our Father Who art in
Heaven give us this day our
daily bread And | pray to you, and
say, My father here on earth, give
me-give me-your love. That's what
| want-nothing else want it so bad
I'm dying for it, father, can't
you understand Look-rm praying
for it She threw herself wildly at
his feet.
Deeply move. he tried to lift her
from the ground
No. cried Fran. scarcely knowing
what she said, Il will not get up till
you grant my PRAYER I'm not asking
for the full rich love child has the
right to expect-but give me a crust,
to keep me alive-father. give me my
daily bread You needn't think God
is going to answer your PRAYERS, if
you refuse mine"
Hamilton Gregory took her in his
arms and held her to his breast.
Fran" he said brokenly, my unfor-
tunate child i nv daughter-oh.
why were YOU born?'
Yes" sobbed Fran. resting her head
upon his bosom, yes. why was |
BORN"
You break my heart he sobbed
with her. Fran. say the word. and l
will tell everything; | will acknowl-
edge you as my daughter, and if my
Fran shook her head. You owe no
more to my mother than to her." she
said, catching her breath No, the
secret must be kept-always Nothing
belongs to us but the future, since
even the present belongs to the past.
Father-I must never call you that ex-
cept when we are alone-I must al
ways whisper it, like prayer-father,
let me be your secretary"
1t was strange that this request
should surround Fran with the chill
of tomb. His embrace
relaxed insensibly. His moment of
had passed and life
suddenly at the level. He
looked at his daughter in frightened
bewilderment, as if afraid she had
drawn him too far from his security
for further hiding. During the si-
ence, she awaited his decision.
1t was because of her tumultuous
emotions that she failed to hear ad-
sancing footsteps.
Some one is coming" he exclaimed,
with ill-concealed relief 1--WE mustn't
De seen thus-we would be misunder-
stood" He strobe to the window, and
to look out His face clear
ed momentarily.
The door opened, and Grace Noir
started in. then paused significantly.
Am l interrupting?" she asked, in
luictest accent
Certainly not" Gregory breathed
freedom. His surprise was so joyful
hat he was carried beyond himself.