The state herald., 1913-10-31


the choir loft had reminded him of IT.
and Mrs. Jefferson was tanning him.
as II he were never to be grown
man. Mrs. Gregory sat near the
group. silently embroidering in white
silk. Fran had hastily thrown herself
upon the stairway. and. with half
closed eyes. looked as II she had been
there long time.
Fran said Mrs. Gregory coldly.
you left the choir practice before we
were two-thirds done. OF course
! could hardly expect you"-he looked
at his wife-"to stay. although your
presence would certainly have kept
Fran there; and It does look as II
we should be willing to resort to any
expedient to keep her there!"
How would lock and chain dot"
Fran inquired meekly.
II don't think she came straight
home. either, remarked Grace Noir
significantly. Did you. Franz"
Miss Noir." said Fran. smiling at
her through the banister-slats. you
are SO satisfactory: you always say
just about what expect. Yes. came
straight home. I'm glad it's your busi-
ness, so you could ask"
| Hamilton Gregory turned to his
wife again. with restraint more
marked. Next Sunday is roll-call day,
Mrs. Gregory. The board has decided
to revise the lists. We've been carry
ing SO many names that it's burden
to the church. The world reproaches
us. saying. Isn't So-and-so a member?
He never attends. does he?' do
hope you will go next Sunday!"
Mrs. Gregory looked down at her
work thoughtfully. then said. Mother
would be left"
IT'S Just this way" her husband In
terposed abruptly: IF no excuses. such
as sickness, are sent. and II the people
haven't been coming for months. and
don't intend coming. We are simply
determined to drop the nsmes-strike
'em out. We believe church members
should show where they stand. And
and II you"
Mrs. Gregory looked up quietly.
Her voice seemed woven OF the silk
| tuIthur rut III tuG Wuitt
pattern. IF I am not member Of
the church. sitting an hour In the
building couldn't make me one."
Simon Jefferson cried out. 'Is that
my sister Lucy? Blessed II I thought
she had SO much spiritl"
DO you call that spirit?" returned
Gregory, with displeasure.
'well!" snorted Simon. ''wha; do
you call II. them"
Perhaps" responded Gregory. with
marked disapprobation. perhaps II
was spirit"
Grace. still nttired for the street.
looked down upon Mrs. Gregory as n
turned to stone. Her beautiful face
expressed something like horror at
the others irreverence.
Fran shook back her hair. and
watched with cleaning eyes from be.
hind the stats. not unlike small
wild creature peering from Its cage.
"Oh." cried Fran. Miss Noir feels
so badl"
Grace swept from the hall. her
rounded figure instinct with the suffer.
ings of a martyr.
Fran murmured. THAT killed her!"
And you!" cried Gregory. turning
suddenly In blind anger upon the
other-"you don't care whose heart
you break"
II haven't any power over hearts.
retorted Fran. gripping her fingers TIL
her hands were little white balls. "oh.
II only hadl I'd get Rt 'em II !
could-like this )"
She icnpcd TO her feet.
Am I always TO be dcfied by your
ho exclaimed: ''is there to be no end
to III But suppose ! put nm end to
II. mysclf-tcll you that this Is no
place for you"
"You shall never say thati'N Mrs.
Gregory spoke up. distinctly. but not
In his loud tones. She dropped her
work In some agitation. and drew Fran
to her heart II have n friend here.
Hamiiton--one fricnd--and she must
stay"
Don't be uneasy. dear one" Fran
looked up lovingly into tho frightened
face. HE won't tell mo TO 60 Hc
won't put nm end TO II. He won't tell
me anythingl"
'f.iHtcn TO me. Lucy" said Gregory,
his tone altering. yea. she must stay
that's rettied-rhe must stay. OF
cJufsc. Hut you-why will you refuse
what I ask. when for years you were
one of tho most faithful attendants
nj the Walnut Street church, am
asking you TO no next Sunday because
well, you know how people Judge
by appearances. I'm not asking II
for my sakc-of course ! know your
real chnractcr--but 70 for Miss
Grnco'n uako-ro TO show her where