The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-09-20
lCopy right, lyl7, Bob6s- MorTlli CO..


II know 1t was wrong for him to de-
sert his wife,"
"Wrong!" How inadequate seemed
that word from her pure lips!
But" he faltered, I'VE must make
allowances, My friend married Fran's
mother in secret because she was ut.
terly worldly-frivolous--- butterfly.
Her own uncle was unable to control
her--to make her go to church. Soon
after the marriage he found out his
mistake-it broke his heart, the trag-
edy OF II. don't excuse him for go
Ing away to Europe"
Il am glad you don't. He was no
true man. but q weakling. am glad
j have never been thrown with such
a--a degenerate" .,r. .r.
but. Miss Grace" he urged plead
ingly. do you think my friend, when
he went back to find her and she was
sone--do you think he should have
kept on hrntingt DO you think, Grace,
that he should have remained yoked
to IN unbeliever, after he realized his
follyf" .-.
There was heavenly compassion In
her eyes. for suddenly she had d.
vined his purpose In defending Frans
father. He was thinking OF his own
wife, and Of his wife's mother and
brother-how they had ceased to show
sympathy In what he regarded as the
essentials Of life. Her silence suggest.
ed that an she could not speak without
casting reflection upon Mrs. Gregory.
she would say nothing, and this tact
was grateful TO his grieved heart.
II have been thinking os something
vsry strange" Grace said, with a
marked effort to avoid the issue lest
she commit the indiscretion Of blam-
Ing her employers wife. II remem.
Der having heard you say that when
you were o young man. you left your
fathers home to live with q cousin In
distant town who happened to be q
teacher IN college. and that you were
graduated from his college. Don't you
think II marvellous. this claim of Fran,
who says nat her father. when a
young man. went to live with a cousin
who wac college professor, and that
he was g-aduated from that college?
And she says that her fathers father
was ricu man--1ust as yours was
and that the cousin Is dead-just as
yours is"
At these piercing words. Gregory
bowed his head to conceal his agita-
ton. Could II be possible that she
had guessed all and yet. In spite of all,
could use that tone OF kindness? It
burst upon him that II he and she
could hold this fatal secret In common,
thcy might. In sweetest comradoship,
form an alliance against fate itself.
She persisted: "The account that
Fran gives of her father Is really your
own history. What does that show?"
He spoke almost In whisper. my
rrfeno and I were much alike" Then
ne looked up swiftly to catch a look
VI comprehension by surprise, II such
n look were there.
Grace smiled coolly. "But hardly
identical. I presume. Don't yor see
that Fran has invented her whole
story. and that she didn't have enough
imagination to keep from copying
after your biographical sketch In the
newspaperf ] don't believe she Ia
your friends daughter. I don't be-
heve you could ever have liked the
father OF a girl like Fran-that he
could have been your intimate friend"
well" faltered Gregory. But why
should he defend Fran?
mfr. Gregory" she asked. as II what
A ~ ls<,tx fn kal
lad gone before. would II greatly IN.
convenience you for me to leave your
employment"
He was electrified. Grace! Incon-
venience me!-would you--could 7"
Il have not decided-not yet.
Speaking OF being yoked with unbe-
hevers-I have never told you that Mr..
Robert Clinton has wanted me to mar
ry him. As long an he was outside of
the church. OF course IL was impos-
sIble. But now that he Is converted"
"Grace!" groaned the pallid listener.
He would like me to go with him
ID Chicago"
But you couldn't love Bob Clinton
--he isn't worthy Of you. GRACE. It's
impossible. Heaven knows I've had
disappointments enough" He start
cd up and came toward her his eyes
glowing. "Will you make my life a
complete failure. after all?"
Love him." Grace repeated calmly.
This is merely n question OF doing
the most good. know nothing about
lcve."
Then let me teach you, Grace.
let"
Shall we not discuss it7" she said
gently. THAT is best. think. III / de-
eide TO marry Mr.. Clinton. will tell
you even before tell him. don't
know what I shall choose as my best
course"
"But. Gracei What could I do
Without"
Shall we Just agree TO say no more
about it?' she softly interposed. THAT