Putnam patriot., 1913-07-18

bolt" said Mrs. Gregory gently. "and MT. Gregory is wrong to insist on my interrupting-wom are always in the way" She smiled, and, slipping around Gregory, had reached the door when she came face to face with Grace Noir, entering. At sight of her for Grace did not pause, but went over to the piano-Mrs. Gregory ap- parently reconsidered, and stepped to her husbands side.
 ~So you did come" Grace said, smil- ing at Robert. Shall we go into the other room?"
 Robert reveled in her beauty, and to that extent his anger against Gregory famed higher. Pretty soon," he said, pretty soon, Miss Grace-in just twenty minutes" he looked at his watch, then at Abbott.
 q must tell you MT. Gregory" Ab- bolt began rapidly, that I had just thirty minutes to consummate the matter with you-just half an hour. when we came here, and ten minutes are already gone. Only twenty min utes are left"
 What do you mean by your twenty minutes being left?" Gregory blus- tered
 Abbott spoke carefully, at the same time drawing little farther away from the man he despised: Bob has been to Springeid about that matter, you understand"
 No, l don't" cried Gregory. "Or if I do-tell it out-all of it"
 He has been to Springfield" Ab- bolt went on. "and he got on the in- side of the business, and the interests are determined that-that they will retaliate on you for your successes in the past, and at the same time be help to Bob"
 q don't understand" Gregory gasped blankly.
 Me neither" muttered Robert
 Its very simple" Abbott main- tained. "The Springfield interests want to give you blow, and give Bob a helping hand. Therefore. you are to transfer your secretary to his store, where bookkeeper is needed"
 "Oh, indeed" interposed Grace Noir icily. T am a mere pawn, presume, to be sent where am wanted. But I would like to ask MT. Clinton if he found out anything about Fran, while he was in Springfield"
 Fran is all she claims to be- Rob- ert declared bluntly.
 "All7 You can prove she's no fraud?"
 My pockets are full of proofs" ly at Gregory.
 Dear Fran!" murmured Mrs. Greg ory with a sweet smile of reminis- cence
 Abbott" MT. Gregory gasped. as he began to realize the compromise that was offered, you have always been my friend-and you have been inter ested in my charities-you know how important my secretary is to my work. It is true that I did wrong, years ago very wrong-it is true that bitter ly-what shall I say ay?-antagonized the interests at Springfield. But that was long ago. Am to be punished now"
 MT. Gregory" said Abbott, clearly and forcibly, T have nothing to do with any punishment, have nothing to do with demanding the release of your secretary. I am a mere agent of the interests, sent to you to demand that your secretary be dismissed in the morning; and If you cannot see your way to promise me now that you; will dismiss her, my office is ended; If you can promise to send her away, shall be forever hushed up, so far as we are concerned. If you cannot prom ise, all will be revealed at once"
 Tn just ten minutes" said Robert Clinton, consulting his watch.
 Grace stood looking at Gregory as if turned to stone. She had listened in tently to every word as it fell from Abbott's lips, but not once had she turned her head to look at him.
 You are cruel" Gregory fiared out, you are heartless. If l send away the only one who is in perfect knowl-! edge and sympathy with my work"
 Then you refuse?"
 "Of course 1 refuse. I'll not permit the work of years to perish because of ap unreasonable and preposterous demand You wouldn't exchange your position here for Bob's grocery, would you, Miss Grace?" he ended appeal ingly.
 "Yes-if you dismiss me-" Grace an- swered, her eyes smoldering.
 "Lucy"-Gregory was almost beside himself/'tell her she must stay-tell these men we cannot go on with our work, without her"
 Not for worlds would Mrs. Gregory have betrayed her eagerness for trace to go, but for no consideration would she have asked her to stay. INIT.