The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-12

Noow Vao meant.
city with Bob Clinton. Aud I merely
said that 1t was the understanding
they were to select the church music,
Not another word was said on tho sub.
ject."
THAT was enough. Mighty neat. As
soon as she saw you were trying 70
avoid a direct answer, she knew I'd
told you. That gave her a clew to my
leaving the choir practice before the
rest OF them. She guessed something
Important was up. Well, Abbott. you
are certainly an infant in her hands,
but ! guess you can't help it."
Selfpride was touched, and he re-
taliated: Fran. I hate to think of
your being willing to take her posi-
ton behind her back"
She ,crimsoned.
You'd know how I feel about It."
he went on. III you understood her
better. know her duty drives her
to act In opposition TO you, and I'm
sorry for 1t. But her religious ideals"
Abbott. be honest and answer-is
there anything in it-this talk of do
ing Gods willo Can people love God
and hate one another? Just hate
shams," she went on, becoming more
excited. II don't care what flne names
you give them-whether it's marriage.
or education. or culture, or religion, II
there's no heart In 1t. it's q sham, and
l hate 1t. ! hate q lie. But a thou
sand times more, do I hate q life that
Is O lie."
Fran. you don't know what you are
saying"
Yes do know what I'm saying. Is
religion going to church? That's all |
can see In 1t. want to believe there's
something else. I've honestly searched,
for ! wanted to be comforted, I tell
you, ! need 1t. But can't find any
comfort In mortar and stained-glass
windows. want something that
makes a man true to his wife. and
makes family live together in bles.
sed harmony, something that's good
on the streets and In the stores, some.
thing that makes people even treat q
show-girl we'll II there's anything in
1t, why doesn't father"
She snatched away her hand that
she might cover her face, for she had
burst into passionate weeping. why
doesn't father, who's always talking
about religion. and sisging about it,
and praying about it-why doesn't that
father draw his daughter to his breast
close, close to his heart--that's q
the only home she asks for-thats the
home she has a right to. yes a right,
! don't care. how far she's wandered
'Fran!" cried Abbott. in great dis.
tress. Don't cry. little one!" He
had no intelligent word, but his arm
was full of meaning as II slipped about
her. Who has been unkind to you.
Nonparoil?" She let her head sink
upon his shoulder. as she sobbed
without restraint. What shams have
pierced your pure heart? Am the
cause Of any OF these tears? Am u"
Yes" Fran answered, between her
sobs. you're the cause OF all my
happy tears" She nestled there with
a movement OF perfect trust; he drew
her closer, and stroked her hair ten.
derly. trusting himself.
Presently she pulled herself to
rights. lifted his arm from about her,
and rested II on the back Of the seat
friendly compromise. Then she
shook back her hair and raised her
eyes and a faint smile came into the
rosy face. I'm so funny" she declared.
Sometimes seem 30 strange that
need an introduction TO myself" She
looked into Abbotts eyes feetingly.
ard drew In the corners OF her mouth.
IL guess, after all, there's something
In religion!"
Abbott was 50 warmed by returning
sunshine that his eyes shone. Dear
Franz" he said-it was very hard to
keep his arm where she had put It.
She tried to look at him steadily, hut
somehow the light hurt her eyes. She
could feel its warmth burning her
checks.
"Oh. Fran cried Abbott impul.
si'ely. tho bridge in the moonlight