The state herald., 1913-08-29


What Is to be done?" Grace In
Quired. Her attitude of reserve to-
ward Gregory which Fran's presence
had inspired, melted to potential help
fulness; at the same time her dislike
for the girl solidifed
What do you adviser" Gregory
asked his secretary gently.
Grace cast a disdainful look at Fran.
Then she turned to her employer and
her deliciously curved face changed
| most charmingly. 81 think" she re-
spcnded with faint shake Of rebuke
for his leniency. that you should not
need my advice In this matter" Why
should he stand apparently helpless
before this small bundle of arrogant
impudence!
Gregory turned upon Fran with af-
fected harshness. You must CO." He
was annoyed that Grace should imag-
Inc him weak.
az OF stone. sharpened at each end.
with eyes. nose and mouth In a mar
row line Of cold defiance. To Grace
the acute wedge OF white forehead.
cleaning Its way to the roots of the
black hair. and the sharp chin cut
ting Its way down from the tightly
drawn mouth. spoke only of cunning.
She regarded Fran as u fox, brought
to bay.
Fran spoke with calm deliberation.
Il am not going away"
Il would advise you," said Grace,
looking down at her from under droop-
Ing lids, ito go at once. for a storm is
rising. Do you want to be caught in
the rainf''
Fran looked up at Grace. undaunt-
ed. Il want to speak to Mr.. Greg
ory. II you are the manager Of this
house, he and ] can go outdoors
don't mind getting wet. I've been in
all kinds of weather"
Grace looked at Gregory. Her ST.
lences were effective weapons.
Il have no secrets from this lady" "
he said. looking into Graces eyes, an
swering her silence. What do you
want to say to me. child?"
Fran shrugged her shoulders, always
looking at Grace. while neither of the
others looked at her. Very well.
then, OF course 1t doesn't matter to
me. but | thought It might to Mr..
Gregory. Since he hasn't any secrets
from you. Of course he has told you
that one Of nearly twenty years ago"
II was not the rumble Of distant
thunder. but strange exclamation
from the man that interrupted her; 1t
was some such cry as human crea.
lures may have uttered before the
crystallizing OF recurring experiences
into the terms OF speech.
Fran gave quick. relentless blows:
"of course he has told you all about
his Springfield life"
"Sllence," shouted Gregory. quiver-
ing from head to foot. The word was
like an imprecation. and for time II
kept kissing between his locked teeth
And OF course Fran continued.
fitting up her chin AS II TO drive in
the words. since you know all OF his
secrets-all OF them-you have natu.
rally been told the most important
one. And so you know that when he
was boarding with his cousin In
Springfield and attending the college
there. something like twenty years
ago"
Leave usl" Gregory cried, waving
violent arm at his secretary. rs n
TO sweep her beyond the possibility
/ saf h.a IN
Leave you-with herr" Grace STAN.
mered. too amazed by his attitude to
feel offended.
"Yes, yea. ycsi Go ut oncc!" Ho
seemed the victim OF some mysterious
terror.
Grace compressed her full lips TIL
they were thinned to n white line
DO you moan forevorf'
oh. Graco-I beg your pardon
Miss Grace don't mean that. OF
course. What could do without you
Nothing. nothing. Graeo-you arc tho
soul OF my work. Don't look at me 40
cruelty"
Then you Just mean" Grace said
steadily, "for me To go away for a
little whilc3"
Only half an hour: that's all. Only
half nm hour. and then come back to
me. and ! will explain"
You needn't 40 nj all. on my no.
count" observed Fran. with a twist
OF her mouth. ITS nothing to mc
whether you 20 or stay"
"shc has learned a secret" Gregory
stammercd. that vitaliy afYects-af
fects some pcoplc-somc friends OF
mine, must talk TO her about
about that sccrot Just for n little
while, Half an hour. Miss Grace. thA,
10 all. That Ia really aii--thon como
back TO mo. You underrtand that III
on account Of the secrct that I ask
you TO leave W., You understand tha,
would never scnd ~ away from ma
II had my way. don't you. Gracsr'
II undorrtand that you want mo 70
70 now" Grace Noir replied unrs