The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1913-07-18

and Mrs Jefferson was tanning him.
as If he were never to be a grown
man. Mrs. Gregory sat near, the
group, silently embroidering in white
silk Fran had hastily thrown herself
upon the stairway. and, with half
closed eyes, looked as IL she had been
there a long time.
Fran" said Mrs. Gregory coldly
''you left the choir practice before we
were two-thirds done. OF course l
could hardly expect you"-he looked
at his wife-"to stay, although your
presence would certainly have kept
Fran there; and it does look as II
we should be willing to resort to any
expedient to keep her there!"
How would lock and chain do?"
Fran inquired meekly.
II don't think she came straight
home, either" remarked Grace Noir
significantly. did you, Franz"
Miss Noir,' said Fran, smiling at
her through the banister-slats, you
are so satisfactory: you always say
just about what I expect. Yes, came
straight home. I'm glad it's your bust
ness, so you could ask
Hamilton Gregory turned to his
wife again. with restraint more
marked. Next Sunday is roll-call day,
Mrs. Gregory. The board has decided
to revise the lists. We've been carry
ing so many names that it's burden
to the church. The world reproaches
r. 20 hn
He never attends, does hep do
hope you will 60 next Sunday"
Mrs. Gregory looked down at her
work thoughtfully, then said. Mother,
would be left"
cts just this way" her husband in
terposed abruptly: IF no excuses, such
as sickness, are sent, and II the people
haven't been coming for months, and
don't intend coming, we are simply
determined to drop the names-strike
'em out. We believe church members
should show where they stand And
and if you"
Mrs Gregory looked up quietly.
threads she was stitching in the white
pattern. eff l am not a member of
the church, sitting an hour in the
building couldn't make me one"
Simon Jefferson cried out. els that
my sister Lucy? Blessed if thought
she had SO much spirit"
do you call that spirit?" returned
Gregory, with displeasure.
"Well!" snorted Simon. "wha. do
you call it, them"
Perhaps" responded Gregory. with
marked disapprobation. perhaps it
was spirit"
Grace, still attired for the street,
looked down upon Mrs. Gregory as if
turned to stone. Her beautiful face
expressed something like horror at
the others irreverence.
Fran shook back her hair, and
watched with cleaning eyes from be-
hind the Stats, not unlike a small
wild creature peering from It's cage.
"Oh," cried Fran, Miss Noir feels
so bad!"
Grace swept from the hall, her
rounded figure instinct with the suffer
ings 1t a martyr.
FraN murmured, "That killed her!"
"An& you'll" cried Gregory, turning
suddenly in blind anger upon the
other-~vou don't care whose heart
you break"
IT haven't any power oyer hearts,"
retorted Fran, gripping her fingers till
her HANGS were little white balls. ooh,
if I only had! I'd get at 'em if
could--like this -
She leaped to her feet.
'An always to be defied by you?"
he exclaimed; lis there to be no end
to it? Bus suppose / put an end to
it, myself--tsll you that this is no
place for you"
you shaM never say that!" Mrs.
Gregory spoke up, distinctly, but not
in his loud zones. She dropped her
work in some agitation, and drew Fran
to her heart u have a friend here,
Hamilton-one iriend-and she must
stay"
Don't be- uneasy, dear one," Fran
looked up lovingly into the frightened
face He won's tell me to go. He
won't put an END to 1t. He won't tell
me anything"
Listen to me. Lncy." said Gregory.
his tone altering, yes. she must stay
that's settled--6he must stay. OF
course But you-why will you refuse
what ask, when for years you were
one of the most faithful attendants
at the Walnut Street church? | am
asking you to go next sunday because
well, you know how people Judge
| by appearances. I'm not asking it
for my sake--of course know your
real character-but go for Miss
Grace's sake-go to show her where
/ you stand
How is it about church attendance.
anyway" asked Fran, with the air of
one who seeks after knowledge. 81
thought you went to church for the
ord's sake. and not for Miss Noir's. :
Il have given you my answer, Mr..