Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1913-12-26

cleaned in his brown eyes. The ef-
feet was startlingly beautiful. At such
exalted moments, thinking no evil be-
cause ceasing to think, grown all feel
ing, and it but an infinite longing, the
glow of passion refined his face, al
Ways ~delicately sensitive. The vision
of Grace, in giving herself to another,
like a ~devouring fire consumed those
temporary supports that held him
above the shifting sands Of his inner
nature.
"Gracel But Gracei You wouldn't
marry himi"
Because she found his beauty appeal
ing to her as never before, her voice
was the colder: "Anyone's place can
be filed"
you don't carel" he cried out des-
p~erately.
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 I could help"
Gregory, aghast at her measured
tone, interrupted: But l mean that
you don't care-don't care for me-"
For" she began abruptly. then
added in an odd whisper, "for your"
Eyes, for me don't care
how much l suffer, or whether / suf-
fer at ALL mean my work, If 1t suf-
fers. If I lose you, Grace"
"Oh, you will always have Fran"
HEfron1J rn aioOt1otad GCA xyntx
don't care, Grace 1t seems in
credible because l care SO 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-
thizes with my aims. Who but you IN
derstands? oh, nobody will ever SYM
pathize-ever care"
But, Mr.. Gregory" she began, con-
fused. Her face had grown white.
"Grace!" he caught her hand, expect
ing it 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. 1t trem-
b1ed.
He was afraid to press 1t at first,
lest it 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.
"Gracei" he painted, not knowing
what he was saying, you care. / see
you care for NEEDN'T your"
"No," she whispered. Her lips were
dry. her eyes wide. her bosom heaving.
Boundaries hitherto Interchangeable,
were suddenly submerged. Desperate
ly, as II for her life, she sought to
cling to such floating landmarks as
duty, conscience, virtue-butthey were
drifting madly beyond reach.
But yon can't love him, can your"
Gregory asked brokenly.
Grace, with closed eyes, shook her
head-what harm could there be in
that confession?
You won't go away. will you,
Grace?" he pleaded, drawing her
closer.
She shook her head, lips still part
ed, ayes still closed.
Speak to me, Grace. Tell me you
will never leave me-"
Her lips trembied, then he heard a
faint "Never!" Instantly neck and
brow were crimsoned; 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 Greg
DRY wildly. Il know you do, now, l
know you dol" His arm was about
her. you will never leave me be-
o love me. Look at me,
Gracei"
It seemed that her eyelids were held
down by tyrannous thumbs. She tried
to lift them, and tried again. Her
face was irradiated by the sunrise
glow Of a master passion. Swiftly he
kissed her lips, and as she remained
motionless. he kissed her again and
again.
Suddenly she exclaimed blindly:
"Oh, my God!" Then she threw her
arms about him, as he drew her to his
bosom.
It was at that moment, as IL Fate
herself had timed the interruption,
that Fran entered.
There was a 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.
Fran was a dash of water upon
raging fire. The effect was not extin-
guishment, but choking vapors. Be-
wildered. lost to old self-consciousness,
1T was necessary for Grace to readjust
herself not only to these two. but to
herself as well.
Fran turned upon her father, and
pointed toward his desk. "Stand
there!" she said, scarcely above q