The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1914-01-09

work, without her"
Not for worlds would Mrs. Gregory
have betrayed her eagerness for Grace
to go, but for no consideration would
she have asked her to stay. "Mr.
Gregory" she responded, 81 cannot
conceive Of your being in the power of
business interests to such an extent
as to drive you to anything that seems
like taking your hearts blood"
4 refused" cried Gregory, again.
of course l refuse"
Very WELL" said Abbott, turning.
But what are you going to do?'
Gregory asked shrinkingly.
i shall go now; my endeavor to
straighten out things-or rather to
Keep everything peaceful and forgot
ten-comes to nothing, it seems. Good
evening, Mrs. Gregory"
But wait! Wait! Let US discuss
this alone"
1T is useless now, for the time has
expired
That's right" Clinton confirmed,
clicking to his watch.
And all of it is going to be told?
Eyerything?"
Unless you will dismiss your Sec
rotary"
But you insult Miss Grace to speak
in that way. Good heavens, Abbott,
what are You doing? How can you
insult that-the best woman in the
world?"
There was a moments silence. Then
Mrs, Gregory turned to her husband
and said quietly, III Miss Noir is the
best woman in the world, you should
be the last man in the world to say
So"
He covered his face with his hands.
Everybody has turned against me-"
he complained. 81 am the most miser-
able man on earth because for mere
caprice, for mere spite, for no earthly
good, 1t is the determination of people
who have lost positions and the like,
to drive me Wild"
Robert Clinton thumped the keys of
the piano with one hand.
why, hello, Mr.. Bob!" cried Fran,
dancing into the room. $50 you're
back, are you?" She shook hands
breezily.
Come back, Abbott, come back!"
called Gregory, discovering that the
young man was indeed going. "You
know what l must do, If you drive
ME to the wallg | am obliged to do
what you say. State the condition
again If you have the courage to say
it aloud"
"The past will be forgotten" said
Abbott solemnly, "if you give your
word that your secretary shall go in
the morning"
And you'll take me in her place. .
spoke up Fran decidedly.
THE time is up" said Clinton harsh.
ly. Its too late now, for ! shall
tell"
81 promise, l promised" Gregory
cried out, in an agony Of fear, 81
promise. Yes. I'll dismiss her. Yes,
she shall go! Yes, let Fran have the
place"
"Do / understand you to dismiss
me, Mr.. Gregory" asked Grace, in a
low concentrated tone. leaning slight
ly forward.
Fran turned on the lights to their
fullest extent, and looked about with
an elfish smile.
Hamilton Gregory was mute.
81 have your promise" said Abbott,
bowling gravely. That's enough"
yes" groaned Gregory. but it is
infamous"
Fran looked at Abbott inscrutably.
Third times the charm she said in
a whisper. I'm proud of you this
time, Abbott"
Grace turned with cold dignity, and
moved slowly toward the hall door.
Fran slipped between Clinton and
the piano, and began to play Softly.
carelessly with one hand. while she
the retreating figure.
In very short time. Gregory found
himself alone in the parlor. Abbott
and Clinton had withdrawn rather
awkwardly, Mrs. Gregory had melted
away unobtrusively, and Fran, last OF
all, had given the piano final bang.
and darted out of the house.
Gregory stood pale and miserable.
It seemed as if all the world had de-
serted him. The feature without
Grace would be as dreary as now
seemed his past with Fran's mother.
He suffered horribly. Was suffering
all that life had left for him? Per
baps he was reaping but is there no
end to the harvest? One sows in so
brief time; is the garnertng eternal?
A bell rang, but he was not curious.
Voices sounded at the front door, foot
steps passed, then silence once more
silence and despair Gregory went to
The open window, and leaned heavily
On the sill, taking great breaths, star
ing duly.