The Washington herald., 1913-03-02
CHAPTER I.
4 KNOCK mt the Door.

TRAN knocked at the front door.
1t was too dark for her to find
the bell; however, had she
found it, she would have knocked just
the same.
At first. no one answered. That was
not surprising, since everybody was
supposed to be at the Union Camp
meeting that had been advertised for
the last two months. Of course, it
was not beyond possibility that some
one might have stayed at home to in
vite his soul instead of getting it saved ;
but that any one in Littleburg should
go visiting at half-past eight, and eS-
pecially that any one should come
knocking at the door of this particular
house was almost incredible.
No doubt that is why the Young
woman who finally opened the door
after Fran had subjected it to second
and more prolonged visitation OF her
small flst-looked at the stranger with
surprise. which was. in itself. reproot:
Standing in the dim light that reached
the porch from the hall. Fran's
appearance was not above suspicion.
She looked very dark, sharp
faced. and small Her attitude
suggested one who wanted some
thing and had come TO ask for
it The lady in the doorway believed
herself confronted by camper
of those fitting birds of outer darkness
who have no religion OF their own. but
vino are always putting that OF others
to the proof.
The voice from the doorway was
cool, impersonal. as if, by its very
aloofncs>. it would push the wandercr
away: What do you. want?
Il want Hamilton Gregory. Fran
answered promptly. without the slight
est trace of embarra Ssmcnt. I'm told
he lives here
Mr. Gregory offering the name
with IL title a. a palpable rebuke-
lives here, hut is not at home. What
do you want. little girl"
Where l. he" Fran asked, un-
daunted.
At first the Young woman was tempt
cd to close the door upon the impu
dent gaze that never faltered in watch
ing her. but those bright unwavering
ewes. cleaning out OF tho gloom of
straw hat and ovcr>hadowinc hair,
compelled recognition of some sort.
lie i al the camp meeting, she
answered reluctantly. irritated at op-
position. and displeased with herself
for bcing irritated What do you want
with him: | will attend to whatever
ii j. am acquainted with all of his
AFFAIR." am his secretary
''Whcrc i that camp meeting? How
can | find the place.: was Fran S
quick rcjoindcr. She could not cX
plain the dislike rising within her. She
was too Young. herself. to consider the
others youth an advantage. but the
beauty OF the imperiouS woman in the
doorway-why did il not stir her ad
mration:
Mr. Greeory'> secretary reflected
that. despite it. seeming improbable
ity, ut might he important for him to
sec this queer creature who came TO
strange door al night time
III YOU will 60 straight down that
road d''->he pointed" and keep on for
about mile and a hall. yon will come
to tho big tent Mr. Gregory will be
in the tent. leading the choir
All right" And turning her back
on the door. Fran swiftly gained the
front step. Halt way down. she
paused. and glanced over her thin
shoulder. Standing thus. nothing was
10 be seen OF her but blurred out
line. and the shining OF her eyes.
Il guess said Fran inscrutably.
you're not Mrs. Gregory"
No" came the answer, with an al
most impcrceptible change of manner
a change as of gradual petrifaction. q
am not Mrs. Gregory" And with that
the lady. who was not Mrs Gregory,
quietly but forciblv closed the door.
1t was is if. with the closing of that
door. she would have shut Fran out
OF her life.