Putnam patriot., 1913-06-13

, 70 the church. The world reproaches
US. saying. Isn't So-and-so a member?
He never attends. does heT / do
hope you will go next Sundayi"
Mrs. Gregory looked down at her
work thoughtfulIy. 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 if the people
haven't been coming for months, and
don't intend coming, we are simply
determined to drop the names-strike
'em out. We believe church members
should show where they stand. And
and II you"
Mrs. Gregotry looked up quietly.
Her voice seemed woven of the silk
threads she was stitching in the white
pattern. IF / am not a member OF
the church, sitting an hour In the
building couldn't make me one."
Simon Jefferson cried out, els that
my sister Lucy? Blessed IL thought
she had so much spiriti"
do you call that SPIRIT" returned
Gregory. with displeasure.
Welt" snorted Simon, what do
you call it, them"
Perhaps" responded Gregory. with
marked disapprobation, perhaps it,
was spirit"
Grace, sfill attired for the street,
looked down upon Mrs. Gregory as II
turned to stone. Her beautiful face
Of
the others irreverence.
Fran shook back her hair, and
watched with cleaning eyes from be-
hind the Stats, not unlike a small
wild creature peering from its cage.
"Oh," cried Fran, Miss Noir feels
so bad!"
Grace swept from the hall, her
rounded figure instinct with the suffer
ings of martyr
Fran murmured, THAT killed her!"
"And you'll" cried Gregory, turning
suddenly in blind anger upon the
other-"you don't care whose heart
you break"
81 haven't any power over hearts"
retorted Fran. gripping her fingers till
her hands were little white balls. ooh,
If only had! I'd get at 'em If L
could-like this
She leaped to her feet.
Am | always to be defied by your
he exclaimed; lis there to be no end
to it? But suppose l put an end to
it, myself-tell you that this is no,
place for you"
You shall never say that!" Mrs.
Gregory spoke up, distinctly. but not
in his loud tones. She dropped her.
work in some agitation, and drew Fran,
to her heart 81 have a friend here,
Hamilton-one friend-and she must
stay"
Don't be uneasy, dear one" Fran
looked up lovingly into the frightened
face. He won't tell me to go. He
won't put an end to it. He won't tai
me snything!"
Listen to lie. Lacy" said Gregory.
his tone altering, yes, she must stay
that's settled-she must stay. or
course. But you-why will you refuse
what | ask, when for years you were
one of the most faithful attendants
at the Walnut Street church? / am
asking you to go next Sunday because
well, you know how people judge
by appearances. I'm not asking 1t
for my sake-of course l know your
real character-but go for Miss
Grace's sake-go to show her where
you stand"
How is 1t about church attendance,
anyway" asked Fran, with the air of
one who seeks after knowledge. Il
thought you went to church for the
Lords sake, and not for Miss Noir's."
Il have given you my answer. Mr.
Gregory" said his wife family, "but
am sorry that it should make me
seem Obstinate"
He uttered groan, and left the hall
in despair. His gesture said that he
must give it up.
Mrs. Gregory folded her work, her
face pale and drawn, her lips tremu-
lous. She looked at Fran and tried to
smile. I'VE must go to rest now"
she said-"if we can"
CHAPTER XIV.