The state herald., 1913-08-22

be wandering about the world. all by
yourselfi"
She was grateful for his raillery
How young do you think"
Let me see. Hum! You are only
about" She laughed mirthfully al
his air of preposterous wisdom
About thirteen-fourteen. yes. you
are more than n.i-ifteen. more than
/. But take on that enormous hat
little Nonpareil. There's no use guess
Ing in the dark when the moons
shining"
Fran was gleeful. All right" she
cried in one OF her childish tones,
shrill. fresh. vibratory with the mu-
sic of innocence.
BY this time they had reached the
foot-bridge that sBanned the deep n
vine Here the wagon-road made its
crossing of tiny stream. by slipping
under the foot-bridge, some fifteen
feet below. On the left lay struggling
Littleburs with It's four or FIVE hun
dred houses. family twinkling, and be-
yond the meadows on the right, a
fringe OF woods started up as II 1t did
not belong there. but had come to be
seen, while above the woods swung
the big moon with Fran on the foot
bridge to shine for.
Fran's hat dangled idly in her hand
as she drew herself with backward
movement upon the railing. The moon.
light was full upon her face; SO was
the young mans gaze. One OF her
feet found, after leisurely exploration.
devastating board upon the edge
OF which she pressed her heel for sup
port. The other foot swayed to and
fro above the flooring. while a little
hand on either side Of her gripped the
top rail.
Here am" she said. shaking back
rebellious hair.
Abbott Ashton studied her with
grave deliberation-it Is doubtful II he
had ever before so thoroughly en-
)oyed his duties as usher. He pro-
nounced tudicially. You are older
than you look"
Yes" Fran explained. my expe-
rience accounts for that. I've had
lots"
Abbotts lingering here beneath the
moon when he should have been hur-
rying back 10 the tent. showed how
unequally the good things OF nfe-ex.
perience. for instance-are divided
You are sixteen" he haxarded, con.
scious OF a strange exhilaration.
Fran lodged the issue behind n
smile-"And don't think you are 80
awfully old"
Abbott was brought to himself with
a Jolt that threw him hard upon self.
consciousness. Il am superintendent
OF the public school," The very sound
OF the words rang as warning. and
he became preternaturaliy solemn.
Goodness" cried Fran. consider.
ing his grave mouth and Thoughtful
eyes, does II hurt that bad7"
Abbott smiled. All tho same. the
position OF superintendent must not
be bartered away for the transitory
pleasures of a boot.bridge. I'VE had
better hurry. II you please" he said
gravely.
Il am 30 afraid OF YOU" murmured
Fran. But know the meeting will
last long time yet. I'D hate to have
to walt long at Mr.. Grogory's with
that disagroeablc lady who isn't Mrs.
Gregory"
Abbott was startled. Why did she
thus designate Mr.. Grogory's aecre-
iaryl He looked kcaniy at Fran. but
she only said plalntively;
Cant we stay herel"
He was disturbed and porplcsed. Il
was AS II n ftting shadow from some
uniformed cloud OF though,.rnist had
fallen upon the everyday world out OF
his subconSciousncsa. Why did this
stranger speak OF Miss Grace Nolr ms
tho lady who isn't Mrs. Gregory -
The young man at times had caught
himself thinking Of her In Just that
way
School nuporintcndons do not enjoy
being mys,inod. Really" Abbott de.
clarcd abruptly. 4 muat 20 back to
the meeting"
Fran had heard enough about hiu
leaving her She decided TO stop tina,
once and for all III you 10 back
] 20. tool" she said conciuaively. She
gave him n look TO show that uho
meant II, thon became all humility
Please don't be- cross with llttie
NonparoIl.' Hho eoared "piense don't
want TO 20 back 10 that meeting
Please don't want TO leave mo. You
are 40 learned aud old and 10 strong
you don't caro- why little girI
laughs"
Fran Tilted her head sidewiaa. and
the glance OF her eyes proved irrosist
ible. "But tell mo about Mr.. Greg
ory." she pleaded, "and don't mind m,
ways. Ever since mother died I've
found nothing IN this world but Low,
that wns for somebody else. and
trouble that was for me"
The pathetic cadence Of the slender
throated tones moved Abbott more
than be cared 10 abov.