The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-12


L don't need advice, I want help In
carrying out what I already know"
Her voice vibrated. you're afraid OF
losing your position II you havo any.
thing to do with me. or course I'm
queer. Can help II, when / have
no real home. and nobody cares
whether I 90 or stay?"
You know i care, Fran"
Fran caught her lip between her
teeth as IL to hold herself steady. "Oh,
lets drive" she said recklessly. strik.
Ing at the dashboard with a whip. and
shaking her hair about her face till
ehe looked the elijah child he had first
known.
Fran. you know I care--you know
II"
We'll drive into Sure Enough
Country" she said with a half-sn,ile
showing on the side OF her face next
him "Whoai Hen we are. All who
i've In Sure-Enoush Country are sure
enough people--whatever they say is
true Goodness!" She opened her
eyes rery wide-"It's awful dangerous
70 talk in sure-Enough Country" She
put up her whip. and folded her
hands.
I'm glad wore here, Fran, for you
have your friendly look"
That's because I really do like you.
Let's talk about yourself--how you OK.
pect to be what yoG1l be-you're moth
Ing yet. you know. Abbott; but how
did you come to determine to be some
thingf"
Into Abbott's smile stole something
tender and sacred. "It was all my
mother" he explained simply. "she
died before received my state Ger.
uncate. but she thought I'd be q great
man-so l am trying for It."
And she'll never know" Fran
lamented.
She slipped her hand into his.
Didn't have a mothery Oh. these
mothers! And who can make mother.
wishes come truef Well! And you
just studied with all your might: and
you'll keep on and on. till you're =.
ont OF my reach, OF course. Which
would have suited your mother, too"
She withdrew her hand
MY mother would have loved you"
he declared. for he did not understand.
20 well n Fran. about mothers liking
for strange young ladies' who train
lions.
Mine would you," Fran asserted,
with moro reason.
Abbott. conscious of dreadful emp
unsss. took Fran's hand again. "Tu
never be out OF your reach, Fran"
she did not seek to draw away. but
said. with dark meaning, Remember
the bridge at midnight"
I remember how you looked, with
the moonlight silvering your face-you
were Just beautiful that night, little
Nonpareil."
my chin IL 30 sharp" she mur.
INJURED.
Yes" he said. softly feeling the
warm little fingers, one by one. az II
70 make SIRE all were there. That's
the way like it--sharp."
And I'm 30 ridiculously thin"
You're nothing like so thin as
when you first came to Littleburg."
ne declared. I've noticed how you
are--have been--I mean I"
Filling out?" cried Fran gleefully.
on yea. and I'm sc glad you know,
because since I've been wearing long
dresses. I've been afraid you'd never
nnd IL out. and would always be think.
ing OF me as you saw me at the be.
ginning. But I am-yes--filling out. {"
And your little feet, Fran"
Yes. I always had a small foot.
But lots get OF OF this subject"
Not until l say something about
your smile-oh. Fran. that smile."
The subject. now" remarked Fran,
naturally returns to Grace Noir."
Please. Franz"
TIL tell you why you hurt my feel
inss. Abbott. You've disappointed me
twice. Oh, IL I were a man, Id show
any meek iced little hypocrite II she
could prize secrets out OF me. Just
secause IL wears dresses and long hair,
you think II an angel"
meaning Miss Grace, I presume ?"
remarked Abbott dryly. But what is
the secret. this timer"
Didn't trust you with the secret
tnat 1 meant to apply for the position
OF secretary as soon as Grace Noir
was out OF the way? AND was Just
about to win the fight when here she
came-hadn't been to the city at all.
because you told her what | meant to
do-handed her the secret, like a child
giving up something 1t doesn't want
"You are very unjust did not tell
her your plan. l don't know how she
found Il out"
From you; nobody else knew t."
"she did not learn 1t from me"
And that's what gets me!-you
tell her everything. and don't even
know you tell. Just hypnotizedl An.
swer my questions: the morning after
i told you what meant TO do--stand.
Ing there at the fence by the gate