Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1913-10-31

1ueTe was compassion IN
her eyes, for suddenly she had d.
vined his purpose in defending Fran's
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 be regarded as the
essentials of life. Her silence suggest
ed that as she could not speak without
casting reflection upon Mrs. Gregory,
she would say nothing, and this tact
al grateful to his grieved heart.
Il have been thinking of something
very strange" Grace said, with a
marked effort to avoid the issue lest
she commit the indiscretion of blam-
ing her employers wife. 81 remem-
Der having heard you say that when
you we're a young man, you left your
fathers home to live with a cousin in
a distant town who happened to be a
teacher in a college, and that you we're
graduated from his college. Don't you
think 1t marvellous, this claim of Fran,
who says that her father, when q
young man, went to live with a cousin
who was a college professor, and that
he was graduated from that college?
And she says that her fathers father
was a rich man-just 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 1t be possible that she
had guessed all and yet, in spite of all,
could use that tone of kindness? It
burst upon him that If he and she
could hold this fatal secret in common,
they might, in sweetest comradeship,
form an alliance against fate itself.
She persisted: 1.-THE account that
Fran gives of her father is really your
own history. What does that show?"
He spoke almost In a whisper. my
friend and I were much alike" Then
he looked up swiftly to catch a look
of comprehension by surprise, If such
a look were there.
Grace smiled coolly. "But hardly
identical, I presume. Don't you 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
newspaper? l don't believe she is
your friends daughter. l don't be-
lleve 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?
"Mr. Gregory" she asked, as If what
she was about to, say belonged to what
had gone before, would it greatly in
convenience you for me to leave your
employment"
He was electrified. "Gracei Incon-
v~enience me!-would you-could . ;"
81 have not decided-not yet.
Speaking Of being yoked with unbe-
lievers-I have never told you that Mr..
Robert Clinton has wanted me to mar
ry him. AS long as he was outside of
the church, of course it vas impos-
sible. But now that he Is converted1'
-sGracei" groaRed the-pailid~ listener.
Gle would like me to go with him
to 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
ed up and came toward her, his yes
glowing. "Will vol make my life a
complete failure, after all?"
Love him?" Grace repeated calmly.
"This is merely a question of doing
the most good. l know nothing about
love-"
"Then let me teach you, Grace,
let"
Shall we not discuss it?" she said
gently. THAT is best, I think. II l de-
eide to marry Mr.. Clinton, | will tell
you even before I tell him. l 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 itT" she softly i~nterposed. THAT
Is wisest until my decision is made.
We were talking about Fran-do you
think this a good opportunity for Mrs.
Gregory to attend services? Fran can
stay with Mrs. Jefferson"
81 have no doubt" he said, still agi-
tated, that my wife would find 1t easy
enough to go to church, If she really
wanted to 60"
"Mr. Gregory" she reproved him.
well" he cried, somewhat defiant
ly, don't you think she could go, If
she wanted to-"
WELL" Grace answered slowly,
"this girl will leave her without any
ANY excuse"
ooh, Miss Grace, If my wife were
only-like you'll mean, about going
to church,"
II consider It," she responded, "the
most important thing in the world"
Her emphatic tone proved her sin.
cerity. The church on Walnut street
stood, for her, as the ark; those who
remained outside, at the call of the
bell. were in danger of engulfment.