The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1913-11-25

often found herself purpling on the
eve OF the crisis. The moment had
come to test her fighting qualities. yet
che dropped despondently.
Hamilton Gregory was coming
through the gate. AS he halted In sur
prise. a black shadow rose slowly,
YEARLY. He, little dreaming that he
was confronted by n shadow from the
past. saw In her only tho girl who
had been publicly expelled from the
tent.
The cho'r-leader had expected his
homecoming to be crowned by a
vision very different. He came up
the walk slowly. not knowing what 10
say. She waited. outwardly calm. In.
wardly gathering power. White-hot
action from Fran. when the iron was
to be welded. Out OF the deepening
shadows her will leaped keen as a
blade.
She addressed him. Good evening.
Mr.. Gregory"
He halted. When he spoke, his tone
expressed not only n genera, disap-
prevail OF all girls who wander away
from their homes in the night, but an
especial repugnance to one who could
laugh during religious services. DO
you want TO speak to me, child?"
Yes" The word was almost a
whisper. The sound OF his voice had
weakened her. e
What do you want?" He stepped
up on the porch. The moon had van.
ished behind the rising masses OF
storm clouds. not 20 appear again, but
the light through the glass door re-
vealed his poetic features. Flashes OF
lightning as yet faint but rapid In re-
currence. showed his beauty as that
Of "A young man. Fran remained ST.
lent. moved more than she could have
thought possible. He stared intently.
but under hat preposterous hat she
was practically invisible, W az n
black shadow. He added again. with
growing impatience. What do you
want?"
His unfriendliness gave her the spur
she needed. Il want q home" she
said decidedly.
Hamilton Gregory was seriously dis
.urbed. However, e~viidisposed. tho
waif should not be left to wander aim
lessly about the streets. or the three
hotels In Littlehurg. the cheapest was
not overly particular. He would take
aer there. DO you to tell me-"
no temporized. that you are abso-
Iutely aione!"
Fran's tom was a little hard. not
because she felt bitter. but lest she
betray too great feeling. Absolutely
alone In tho world"
He was sorry for her: at the same
time no was subject to the reaction
If his ~eAhausting labors as song
leader. Then" he said, with tired
resignation. III you'll follow me. I'll
take you where you can spend the
night. and tomorrow. I'll try TO find
you work."
work" She laughed. "Oh. thank
you!" Her accen VAS that OF repu-
diation. Work. indeed!
He drew back In surprise and dis
pleasure.
"You didn't understand me-" she
resumed. What I want is u home. I
don't want to follow you anywhere.
This Is where I wan TO stay"
"You cannot stay here" he an
swered with a slight smile at the pre-
sumptuous request, but I'm willing to
pay for n at the hotel"
AZ this moment the door was opened
by the young woman who. some hours
earlier, had responded 20 Fran's
knocking. Footsteps upon the porch
had told OF Gregory's return.
The lady who was not Mrs. Gregory
was so pleased to see the gentleman
who was Mr.. Gregory-thcy had not
met since the evening meal-that. at
first, she was OF the black
shadow: and Mr.. Gregory. In spite OF
his ~perplexity, forgot the shadow also.
so cheered was he by the glimpse OF
his secretary as she stood In tho
brightly lighted hall. Such moments
81 delighted recognition are inhnitesi.
nal when n third person. however
shadowy. Is present: yet had the world
been there. this exchange OF glances
must have taken place.
Fran did not understand-her very
wisdom blinded her as with too great
light. She bad seen so much OF tho
world that, on finding a rec bearing
apples. she at once classified IL as an
apple tree. TO Gregory. Grace Noir
was but a charming and conscientious
sympathizer In his life-work. the at
mosphere In which he breathed freest.
He had not breathed freely for half a
dozen h~ours--no wonder he was glad
% see her. To Grace Noir, Hamilton
Gregory was but a b~enefactor to man.
kind. a mar OF lofty ideals whom IL
was a privilege to aid, and since she
knew that her very eyes gave him
strength. no wonder she was glad to
see him.
Could Fran have read their thoughts.
she would not have found the slight.
est consciousness OF any shade OF evil
In their sympathetic comradeship, As
she could read only their faces. she
disliked more than ever the tall, young.