The Washington herald., 1913-03-23

sweeping down the hall stairs. The
very air was filled with dusty realism
Fran was no longer pretty; he had
Thought
Then you haven't forgotten me?'
murmured Fran.
No" he answered, proud OF the
fact You have made your home
with Mr. Gregory. You are in Miss
Bulls classroom. | knew Mr.. Greg
ory would befriend you-he's one OF the
best men living. You should be very
happy there"
No." said Fran, shaking her head
decidedly, mot happy"
He was rather glad the janitor was
sweeping them out of the house. You
must find it pretty hard" he remarked,
with covert reproach, to keep from
being happy
1T isn't at all hard for me-" Fran
assured him, as she paused on the
front steps. Really, it's easy to be
unhappy where Miss Grace Noir is y
1t happened that just then the name
Grace Noir was sort of talisman
opening to the young mans vision the
interior of wonderful treasure-caves; 1t
was like crying Sesame" to the very
rocks, for though he was not in love
with Gregory's secretary, he fancied
the day of fate was not far ahead.
He had no time to seek fair and ro-
mantle ladies. Five years ago, Grace
Noir had come from Chicago as if to
spare him the trouble of search. Fate
seemed to thrust her between his eyes
and the pages of his textbooks. AT
church. which he attended regularly,
Grace was always present, and to gaze
at her angelic face was, in itself, al
most a religious exercise. Abbott never
felt SO unworthy as when in her pres
ence: an unerring instinct seemed to
have provided her with an absolute
standard of right and wrong. and she
was so invariably right that no human
affection was worthy of her unless re-
fined seven times. Within himself, Abb
bott discovered dross.
Try to be a good girl. Fran" he
counselcd BE good. and your asso-
citation with Miss Noir will prove the
happiest experience OF your life
BE good" she returned mockingly
'and you will be Miss Noir." Then
she twisted her mouth. "She makes me
feel like tearing up things. | don't
like her. | hoped you'd be on my
side"
He came down the steps gravely.
She is my friend"
I'm a good deal like you." Fran
declared. following. Il can like mosi
anything and anybody: but | can't sc
that far. We'll, / don't like Miss Noir
and she doesn't like me-isn't that
| fair?" ...
Examine yourself" he advised, "and
| find ont what it is in you that she
doesn't like; then get rid of what you
| find"
Huh Fran exclaimed. Pm going
to get rid OF her, all right
He saw the old elhsh smile now
when he least wanted to see it, for il
threatened the secretary. Knocked the
grave superintendent. and asserted the
girls right to like whom she pleased
! Self-respect and loyalty to Grace has
tened Abbotts departure, leaving ths
| spirit OF mockery to escape the JAM
tors broom as best il might
Fran escaped. recognizing defeat
| but on her homeward way, she wa:
already preparing herself for the next
move So intent was she in estimat'
| ing the forces on both sides. that she
gave no heed to the watchful faces al
cottage windows. she did not recognize
the infrequent passers-by, nor observe
the occasional buggies that creaket
along the rutted road With Grac.
stood. OF course, Hamilton Gregory
and, Judging from Bob Clintons reg
ular visits and his particular attention:
to Grace. Fran classed him also as :
victim of the enemy. 1t now seemed
that Abbott Ashton followed the f1as
Noir; and behind these three leaders
massed the congregation OF Walnu
Street Church, and presumably thu
town of Littleburg.
Fran could count for her suppor
an old bachelor with a weak heart
and an old lady with an ear trumpet
The odds were terribly against her.
| Absolutely neutral stood the on,
most vitally concerned in the struggle
about to take place Like the king O
a chessboard. Mrs Gregory was re
solved. it would appear, TO take no
even the one step within royal prerog
ative. Fran wondered, her brow
creasing in baffled perplexity, if it eve'
occurred to Mrs. Gregory that her hus
band might. say at some far, far dis
tant day. grow too much interested il
his secretary Did the wife perceive
his present rate of interest, and fancy
at any rate, that he might not reaci
point beyond prudence? Surely sh'
must realize that, in the family econ
omy, the secretary might be spared
but if so, she made no sign.
The first light skirmish betweer
Fran and Grace took place on Sunday
All the Gregory household were at ;
late breakfast. Sunday school bell
were ringing their first call, and ther'
was not a cloud in the heavens as biz
as mans hand, to furnish excuse fol
nonattendance.