The Washington herald., 1913-03-02
JOHN BRECKENRIDGE ELLIS

great work without her. l think Mr..
Gregory is one of the best men that
ever lived
Fran asked with simplicity. Great
church worker
Hes as good as he is rich. He
never misses a service. | can't give
the time to it that he does-to the
church, ! mean; | have the ambition
to hold, one day, chair at Yale or
Harvard-that means to teach in
university" he broke off, in expla-
nation.
Fran held out her swinging foot, and
examined the dusty shoe. Oh" she
said in relieved tone, Il was afraid it
meant to sit down all the time. Lots
of people are ambitious not to move
if they can help it"
He looked at her little uncertainty.
then went on: so it keeps me study
ing hard. to fit myself for the future.
| hope to be reelected superintendent
IT. Littleburg again next year-this Is
my first tcrm-there Is 50 much time
to study, in Littleburg. After next
year, I'll try for something bigger;
just keep working my way up and
up-
He had not meant to tell her about
himself, but Fran's manner of lifting
her head to look at him as he finished
each phrase, had beguiled him to the
next. The applause in her eyes warmed
his heart.
you sce," said Abbott with a
deprecatory smile, Il want to make
myself felt in the world"
Fran's eyes shone with an unspoken
'Hurrah!' and as he met her gaze, he
felt thrill of pleasure from the I'M
preston that he was what she wanted
him to be.
Fran allowed his soul to bathe
while in divine eye-beams OF ffattering
approval. then gave him little sting
to bring him to life. You are pretty
old, not to be married. she remarked.
II hope you won't find some woman to
put an end to your high intentions, but
men generally do. Men fall in love.
and when they finally pull themselves
out. they've lost sight of the shore
they were headed for"
A slight color stole to Abbott's face
In fact. he was rather hard hit This
wandering child was no doubt witch.
He looked in the direction of the tent.
as if to escape the weaving of her
magic. But he only said, That sounds
-er-practical."
Yes" said Fran. wondering who
the woman" was. If you can't he
practical, there's no use to be. Well. |
can see you now, at the head OF some
university-you'll make it. because
co 1,Iya it,N-
they first began teaching me to feed
about" She hurried on, as If TO cover
her confusion. But haven't got as
far in books as YOU have, so I'm not
religious"
Books aren't religion he remon-
strated, then added with un1eceSssry
gentlemenss, Little Nonpareil! What
an ideaT
Yes, books are" retortcd Fran.
shaking back her hair. swinging her
foot. and twisting her body impatient
ly. That's the only kind of religion
| know anything abour-Just books,
just doctrines what you ought to be
licve and how you ought to act-all
nicely printed and bound between Gov
ers. Did you ever meet any religion
outside OF a book. moving up and
down, going about in the open:
He answered in perfect confidence,
Mr.. Gregory lives his religion daily
the kind that helps people, that makes
the unfortunate happy
Fran was not hopeful. Well, I've
come all the way from New York to
see him. hope he can make me
happy I'm certainly unfortunate
enough. I've got all the elements he
needs 10 work on"
From New York; He considered
the delicate form, the youthful face, and
whistled. "Will you please tell me
where your home is, Nonpareil.'
She waved her arm inclusivcly
America wish it were concentrated
in some spot. but it's just spread out
thin under the Stars and Stripes. My
about all have" She broke
off with catch in her voice-she tried
to laugh. but it was no use.
The high moon which had been OBJ
scured by gathering cloud banks. found
an opening high above the fringe OF
and cast a shining glow upon
her face. and touched her figure as
with silver braid. Out of this light
looked Fran's eyes as dark as deepest
shadows, and out of the unfathomable
depths of her eyes glided two tears
as pure as their source in her heart.
Suddenly it came TO Abbott Ashton
that he understood the language OF
moon, watching woods. meadowlands.
even the gathering rain clouds: all
spoke of the universal brotherhood OF
man with nature; brotherhood in
cluding the most ambitious superintend
ent of schools and homeless Non
pareil; brotherhood to be confirmed
by the clasping of sincere hands. There
was danger in such a confirmation. for
it carried Abbott beyond the limits
that mark a superintendent confines.
AS he stood on the bridge, holding
Fran's hand in a warm and sympa-
thetic pressure, he was not unlike one
on picket service who slips over the
trenches to hold friendly parley with
The enemy. Abbott did not know there
was any danger in this brotherly
but that was because he
;ould not see feshy and elderly lady
slowly coming down the hill. As SUI
he should doubtless have
considered his responsibilities to the
public: he did consider them when the
ady. breathless and severe, approached
he bridge. while every pound of her
lmple form cast its weight upon the
zeal of her disappearing. low-voiced,
md significant, Good evening, Prof.
Ashton
Fran whistled.
The lady heard. but she swept on
rithort once olapc;ao h,rt There