Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-27

interrupting-women are always In the
way" She smiled, and. slipping
around Gregory, had reached the door,
when she came face to face with Grace
Noir. entering. At sight Of her--for
Grace did not pause, but went over to
the piano-Mrs. Gregory apparently
|reconsidered, and stepped to her hus-
bands side.
80 you did come" Grace said, smil-
ing at Robert. "Shall We 30 into the
other roomI"
Robert reveled in her beauty. and to
that extent his anger against Gregory
famed higher. Pretty soon," he said.
pretty soon, Miss Grace-in just
twenty minutes" he looked at his
watch, then at Abbott.
II must tell you, Mr. Gregory" Alb
bolt began rapidly, that had Just
thirty minutes to consummate the mat
ter with you,-just half an hour. when
We came here, and ten minutes Are
already gone. Only twenty minutes
are left"
What do you mean by your twenty
minutes being left ?" Gregory clustered.
Abbott spoke carefully. at the same
time drawing little farther away
from the man he despised: bob has
been to Springfield about that matter,
you understand"
mo, I don't" cried Gregory. "Or II
I do-tell It out-all Of It."
HE has been to Springfield" Alb
bott went on. land he got on the inside
of the business, and the interests are
determined that--that they will re-
taliate on you for your successes In
the past. and at the same time be q
help to Bob"
Il don't understand" Gregory gasped
blankly.
"Me neither" muttered Robert.
-"lt's very simple" Abbott main.
tanned. 'The Springfield interests
want to give you q blow, and give Bob
a helping hand. Therefore, you are to
trensfer your secretary to his store.
where q bookkeeper is needed"
ooh, indeed" interposed Grace Noir
icily 81 am mere pawn, presume,
to be sent where am wanted. But
would like to ask Mr.. Clinton II he
found out anything about Fran. while
he was in Springfield"
Fran is all she claims to be-" Rob.
ert declared bluntly.
"All? You can prove she's no
fraud?"
"My pockets are full Of proofs" Rob
ert exclaimed, looking significantly at
Gregory.
Dear Franz" murmured Mrs. Greg
DRY with sweet smile Of "reminiscences.
Abbott" Mr.. Gregory gasped, as he
began to realize the compromise that
my friend-and you have been inter-
ested in my charities--you know how
important my secretary is to my work.
It is true that did wrong, years ago
very wrong-it Ia true that bitterly
what shall say?-antagonized the In
terests at Springfield. But that was 80
long ago. Am to be punished now
"Mr. Gregory said Abbott, clearly
and forcibly, II have nothing to do
with any punishment, have nothing
to do with demanding the release of
your secretary. am moro agent OF
the interests, sent to you to demand
that your secretary be dismissed in
the morning; and II you can not see
your way to promise mo now that you
will dismiss her, my once n ended.
II you can promise to send her away,
I give you my word the transactions
shall be for ever hushed up, 50 far as
we are concerned II you can not
promise, all will. be revealed at once. !"
IN Just ten minutes" said Robert
Clinton, consulting his watch.
Grace stood looking at Gregory, 40
II turned to stone. She had listened
inte.-tly to every word as It fell from
Abbott's lips, but not once had she
turned her head to look at him.
"You are cruel Gregory Jared
out, you are heartless. II I send away
the only one who IL in perfect knowl.
edge and sympathy with my work"
Then. You refuse?'
"Of course refuse. I'll not permit
the work OF years to perish because OF
an unreasonable and preposterous de-
mand. You wouldn't exchange your
position here for Bob's grocery, would
YOU. Miss Grace?" he ended appeal
ingly. . ;,
answered, her eyes smomering.
"Lucy"--Gregory was almost beside
himself-''tell her she must stay-tell
these men we can not 80 on with our
work, without her"
MOI lUT WOIIuS WOuAu NAAo. NAO6OAy
have betrayed eagerness for Grace to
70. but for no consideration would she
have asked her to stay. "Mr. Greg
ory," she responded, II can not con-
ceive of your being in the power Of
business interests to such an extent
as to drive you to do anything that
seems like takin. your hearts blood. -
81 refuse!" cried Gregory, again.
"Of course refuse" s
Very WELL" said Abbott, turning.
"But what are you going to dot"
Gregory asked shrinkingly.
II shall go now; my endeavor to
straighten out things-or rather to
keep everything peaceful and forgotten
comes to nothing. 1t seems. Good
evening, Mrs. Gregory"
But wait! Wait! Let us discuss this
alone"
1T is useless now. for the time has
expired"
That's right Clinton confirmed,
clicking to his watch.
"And all Of 1t Is going to be told?
Everything"
Unless you will dismiss your
secretary"
L