The Washington herald., 1913-03-16
FRAN

of very old friend OF mine-a friend
who was-was a friend years ago, long
before | moved to Littleburg. long be-
fore | saw you, Lucy. That was when
my home was in New York. | have
told you all about that time of my
youth. when | lived with my father in
New York. Well before my father
died. | was acquainted with-this
friend. | owed that person great
debt, not of money-a debt of-what
shall | say?"
Fran suggested. Honor"
Gregory mopped his brow while all
looked from Fran to him. He re-
sumed desperately: Il owed great
debt to that friend-oh, not of money
prevented me from psying-from meet
ing-which | shall owe to the memory
OF that-er-of that dead friend. The
friend is dead. you understand, yes,
dead
Mrs Gregory could not understand
her husbands unacustomed hesitancy.
She inquired of Fran. "And is your
mother dead, too, little girl?"
That simple, question innocently
preferred, directed the course of fu-
ture events Mr.. Gregory had not in
tentionally spoken of his friend in such
way as to throw doubt upon the sex.
| Now that he realized how his wife's
misunderstanding might save him, he
had not the courage to undeceive her.
Fran waited for him to speak. The
delay had lost him the power to reveal
the truth. Would Fran betray him
| He wished that the thunder might
drown out the sound of her words, but
the storm seemed holding its breath to
listen.
Fran said quietly, My mother died
three years ago"
Mrs. Gregory asked her husband,
Did YOU ever tell me about this
friend? I'd remember from his name ;
what was it,"
1t seemed impossible for him to utter
the name which had sounded from his
lips so often in love. He opened his
lips. but he could not say Josephine. |"
Besides. the last name would do.
Derry he gasped.
Come here. Fran Derry said Mrs.
Gregory. reaching ont her hand. with
that sweet smile that somehow made
Fran feel the dew of tears.
Hamilton Gregory plucked up spirits.
Il couldn't turn away the daughter of
my old friend. You wouldn't want
me to do that None of you would.
Now that I've explained everything,
hope therell be no objection to her
staying here in the house-that Is, if
she wants to STAY She has come to
do it. she says-all the way from New
York"
Mrs. Gregory slipped her arm about
the independent shoulders, and drew
the girl down beside her upon a divan
DO YOU know" she said gently, You
are the very first OF all his New York
friends who has come into my life? In
deed, | am willing. and indeed you shall
stay with us. just as long as you will
Fran asked impulsively. as she clasp
ed her hands. DO you think you could
like me? Could-you:"
Dear child"-the answer was ac-
oompanied by gentle pressure, you
are the daughter of my husbands
friend. That's enough for me. You
need a home. and you shall have one
with us. like you already. dear"
Tears dimmed Fran's eyes And I
just love YOU" she cried My. What
woman you are.'
Grace Noir was silent. She liked
Fran less than ever, but her look was
that of hired secretary, saying, With
all this. | have nothing to do" Doubt
less, when alone with Hamilton Greg
DRY. she would express her sincere
conviction that the girls presence
would interfere with his workout
these others would not understand.
They dwelt entirely apart from her
employers philanthropic enterprises,
they did not sympathize with his re-
ligious activities, or even read his
weekly magazine. Nobody understood
him as she did
Fran's unconventionality had given
to Mrs. Gregory's laugh girlish note.
but almost at once her face resumed
its wonted gravity. Perhaps the slight
hollows in the checks had been pressed
by the fingers of care. but it was
rather lack of light than presence of
shadow, that told Fran something was
missing from the woman heart.
In the meantime old Mrs. Jefferson
had been looking on with absorbed
attention, desperately seeking to tri-
umph over her enemy, a deaf demon
that for years had taken possession of
her Now, with an impatient hand,
she sent her wheel chair to her daugh-
ter's side and proffered her ear
trumpet.
Mother" Mrs. Gregory called
through this ebony connector of souls.
this is Fran Derry, the daughter of
Mr.. Gregory's dear friend, one he used
to know in New York. many years be-
fore he came to Littleburg. Fran is
an orphan, and needs home. We have
asked her to live with us"
Mrs Jefferson did not always hear
Alright. but she always, responded with