The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-05-06
CHAPTER w.


CHAPTER w.
The Woman Who Was Not Mrs. Gree.
ory.
Hardly had Abbott Ashton disap-
peared down the village vista Of moon
light and shadow-patches, before
Fran's mood changed. Instead of
seeking to carry out her threat Of
boarding the lion in the den, she sank
down on the porch-steps, gathered her
knees In her arms, and stared straight
before her.
Though of skillful resources, OF i'm.
pregnable resolution, Fran could be
despondent to the bluest degree; and
though competent at the clash, she
often found herself purpling on the
eve OF the crisis. The moment had
come to test her fighting qualities, yet
she dropped despondently.
Hamilton Gregory was coming
through the gate. AS he halted in sur.
prise, a black shadow rose slowly.
wearily. He. little dreaming that he
was confronted by a shadow from the
past, saw in her only the girl who
had been publicly expelled from the
tent.
The choirleader had expected his
homecoming to be crowned by a
vision very different. He came up
the walk slowly. not knowing what to
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 q general disap-
proval OF all girls who wander away
from their homes In the night, but al,
especial repugnance to one who could
laugh during religious services. do
you want to speak to me, child?"
Yes" The word was almost q
whisper. The sound Of his voice had
weakened her.
what do you want? He stepped
up on the porch. The moon had van.
ished behind the rising masses of
storm-clouds. not to 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 q young man. Fran remained al.
lent, moved more than she could have
thought possible. He stared intently,
but under that preposterous hat she
was practically invisible, save as q
black shadow. He added again, with
growing impatience. what do you
want?"
His unfriendliness gave her the spur
she needed. II want a home" she
said decidedly.
Hamilton Gregory was seriously dis.
turbed. However evil-disposed, the
waif should not be left to wander aim
lessly about the streets. OF the three
hotels In Lttleburg. the cheapest was
not overly particular. He would take
her there. "Do you mean to tell me-"
he temporized, that you are abso.
lutely alone"
Fran's tone was q little hard, not
because she felt bitter, but lest she
betray too great feeling, Absolutely
alone in the world"
He was sorry for her; st the same
time he was subject to .he reaction
OF his exhausting labors as song
leader. "Then," he said, with tired
resignation, III you'll follow me. III
take you where you can spend the
night. and tomorrow, Ill try to find
you work."
Work." She laughed. "Oh, thank
you'll" Her accent was that of repu.
diation. Work, indeed!
He drew back in surprise and dis.
pleasure.
"You didn't understand me-" she
resumed. What l want Is a home. I
don't want to follow you anywhere.
This Is where want 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 room at the hotel"
AT this moment the door was opened
by the young woman who. some hours
earlier. had responded to Fran's
knocking. Footsteps upon the porch
had told Of Gregory's return.
(TO BE CONTINUED)