Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-05-23

some mighty good-intentioned men are
stumbling down hill. carrying their re.
ligion right into HE'LL
Hush, little friend! You don't un-
derstand what religion is
III can't find out from its fruits,
don't want to know"
"Of course. But consider how Miss
Grace's labors are blessing the help
less" =
Abbott, unless the fruits of relig.
ion are favored by love. they're no
more account than apples taken with
bitter-rot-not worth nifty cents a
barrel" e.
Abbott asked slyly. What about
your fruit. out there in the world?"
"Oh," Fran confessed, with q CLEAN.
we're not in the orchard-business at
all, out here"
Abbott laid his hand earnestly upon
her arm. Fran! Come in and help
US spray"
you dear old prosy, preachy pro-
fessor!" she exclaimed affectionately,
II have been thinking Of it. I've half
q mind to try, really. Wouldn't Grace
Noir just die? o Lord, there
she comes now!"
Fran left the disconsolate young
man in wild precipitation, and flew
into the house. He turned off In an
other direction, and Gregory and Grace
came slowly toward the house, having,
without much difficulty, eliminated
Simon Jefferson from their company.
Tn No I'm
proved by their conversation, had
dived down q back alley, and found
entrance through the side door. When
Hamilton Gregory and his secretary
came into the reception hall. the old
bachelor lay upon divan thinking Of
his weak heart-Fran's flight from
the choir loft had reminded him Of it
and Mrs. Jefferson was tanning him,
az II he were never to be q 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 if she had been
there long time.
Fran" said Mrs. Gregory coldly,
you left the choir practice before we
were two-thtrds done. OF course I
could hardly expect you"-he looked
at his wife-"to stay. although your
presence would certainly have kept
Fran there: and it does look a. If
we should be willing to resort to any
expedient to keep her there!"
How would a lock and chain dor
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
just about what expect. Yes. came
straight home. I'm glad it's your bust
ness. 30 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 50 many names that It's a burden
to the church. The world reproaches
W. saying. Isn't So-and-so a member1
He never attends. does he?' do
hope you will 90 next Sunday!"
Mrs. Gregory looked down ct her
work thoushtfully, then said, Mother
would be left"
Its just this way" her husband In
terposed abruptly: IT 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 gnames-striks
'em out We believe church members
should show where they stand. And
and IL you"
Mrs. Gregotry looked up quietly.
Her voice seemed woven Of the silk
threads she was stitching in the white
pattern. III am not . member Of
the church, sitting IN hour IN the
building couldn't make me one."
Simon Jefferson cried out, rs that
my sister Lucy? Blessed II I thought
she had 20 much spirit" Z
DO You cali that spirit e returned
Gregory, with displeasure.
Welt" snosted stmon, what do
you call Il. tAsnf"
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