The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-15


cause ceasing to think, grown all feel.
Ing. and 1t but an ininite longing, the
glow of passion refined his face, al.
ways delicately sensitive. The vision
OF Grace. IN giving herself to another,
like o devouring fire consumed those
temporary supports that held hin
above the shifting sands of his inner
nature.
Grace! But Grace! You ,uldn't
marry him!"
Because she found his beauty appeal.
Ing to Ger AZ never before, her voice
was the colder: "Anyoue's place can
be filled"
You don't csre!" he cried out des-
perately.
For Mr.. Clinton? Yes. I admire his
persistence In seeking God, and his
wish to work for mankind. God comes
easier to some than to others, and ]
believe could help"
Gregory, aghast at her measured
tone, interrupted: But / mean that
you don't care-dont care for me-"
For" she began abruptly, then
added in an odd whisper. "for your"
"Yes. for me don't care
how much I suffer, or whether I suf-
fer at ALL mean my work, II It sui.
fers. II lose you. Grace"
"Oh. you will always have Fran"
"Fran!" ne calculated. 80 you
don't care. Grace . It seems in.
credible because I care % much.
Grace!" His accent was that of utter
despair. How can l lose you since
you are everything? What would be
left to live for? Nobody else sympa.
thises with my aims. Who but you un.
destands? oh. nobody will ever sym
pathize--ever care"
But, Mr.. Gresory!" she began. con.
fused. Her face had grown white.
"Grace!" he caught her hand. expect.
Ing 1t to be snatched away-the hand
he had hourly admired at its work: he
could feel Its warmth. caress its shape.
liness--and It did not resist It trem.
bled.
He was afraid to press II at hrst,
lest II be wrenched free; and then, the
next moment. he was clasping II con-
vulsively. For the first time in her
life. Grace did not meet his eyes.
"0race!" he painted. not knowinx
what he was saying. you care. I see
you care for rae-don': your
NO." she whispered. Her lips we're
dry, her eyes wide. her bosom heaving
Boundaries hitherto .unchanGeable,
were suddenly submerged. Desperate
y, 40 II for her life. she sought to
cling to such floating landmarks as
duty, conscience, virtue-but they were
drifting madly beyond reach.
But yon can't love him. can you p
Gregory asked brokeniy.
Grace. with closed eyes. shook her
head-what harm could there be IN
that confession?
You won't 90 away. will you.
Grace?" he pleaded. drawing her
closer.
She shook her head. lips still part
ed. eyes still closed.
Speak to me. Grace. Tell me you
will never leave me-"
Her lips treInbled. then he heard q
faint "Never!" Instantly neck and
brow were crtmsoned; her face. al.
ways superb. became enchanting. The
dignity OF the queen was lost in the
woman's greater charm.
Because you love mel" cried Orer.
ory wildly. II know you do. now. l
know you do!" His arm was about
her. "You will never leave me be.
cause you love me. Look At me,
Qrace!"
1t seemed that her eyelids were held
down by t"rsnnous thumbs. She tried
TO lift them. and tried again. Her
face was irradiated by the sunrise
glow OF master passion. Swiftly he
kissed her lips. and AZ she remained
motionless, he kissed her again and
again.
Suddenly she exclaimed blindly:
"Oh. my God!" Then she threw her
arms about him, a. he drew her to bis
bosom.
1t was at that moment. as II Fate
herself had timed the interruption,
that Fran entered.
There was q violent movement Of
mutual repulsion on the part of Hamil.
ton Gregory and his secretary. Fran
stood very still. the sharpness of her
profile defined, with the keenness Of
eyes and a slight grayness about the
lips that made her look oddly small
and old.