The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1914-02-25

Christian"
Had anyone but Mrs. Gregory been
singing that hymn. had anyone but
Fran been the one to intrude upon the
library scene. Grace must have been
overwhelmed. As Il was. she stood
quite untouched. resolving TO stay In
order 10 prove herself. and to show
Gregory that they must sacrifice their
love for conscience sake.
Gregory. however. was deeply
touched by Fran'c yeerning arms He
rose and stood before her. Fran.
child, We promise that what you cav
shall never happen again, But you
mustn't tell about Il. ! know you won't
tell. ! can't send Grace away. because
! need her. She will not 70 because
she knows herself to be strong. We
are going to hide our souls. And you
can't tell what you've seen. on ac-
count OF her" He pointed In the d.
rection OF his wife.
Fran knew very we'll what he meant.
II she told the secret. II woulc dis
grace Mrs. Gregory. The revelation
might drive Grace away. though Fran
did not think so, but certainly whether
Grace went. or stayed. II would break
the heart OF the one she loved best In
that home. Gregory was right: Fran
could never betTay him.
She turned blindly upon Grace:
Then have you no conscience?-you
are always talking about one. Docs no
sense OF danger warn you away? Can't
you feel any shame?"
Grace did not smile contemptuously.
She weighed these words at their real
value. and soberly Intercepted her
self. NO." she declared with DELHI
GRAFTON. Il feel no sense OF danger be.
cause ] mean TO guard myself after
this. And my conscience bids me
stay. 70 show that I have not really
done anything" But she could not
deny the feeling OF shame. for the
burning OF her cheeks proved the
recollection OF hot kisses.
But suppose ] tell what I have
seen"
Well" said Grace, flashing out de.
family. and suppose you dol"
Gregory muttered: who would be.
lieve your"
Fran looked at him. Then" she
said. the coward spoke" She added:
II guess the only way 10 for you 10
make her leave. There's nothing In
her for me TO appeal to-"
IL will tell her TO co." he 40
sured her d~efiantly.
while. on the contrary said
Grace. Il fancy you will be put to Digit
In three or four days"
Fran threw back her head and
Laughed silently while they stared at
her In blank p%orplexity.
Fran regained composure to say
coolly. Il was Just laughing" Then
handed him the sheet she had drawn
from the typewriter. The upper part
was an unfinished letter IL the Chica.
10 mission. Just as Grace had left II
In her haste 10 get rid OF Fran. Al
odd variance with It's phllanthropiC
message we're the words Fran had
pounded out for the deception OF Mrs
Gregory.
Hamilton Gregory glared at them
at first uncomprehendingly. then In
growing Amusement. They read
ASK her why she tent Bob Clinton
TO Springfield"
lie started up. what Is this: =" he
exclaimed wildly, extending the paper
toward Grace.
She read II and smiled coldly. Yes
she said. "the little spy has even fer
| RniaA thu nnN hAa ahAl UAsu ,,aII
she won't be so cool when Mr.. Clinton
returns from Springfield"
From Springfield" echoed Gregory
aghast.
From Springfield. Mr.. Gregory,
have made the discovery that this
Fran. whom you imagined only about
sixteen years old. and the daughter o.
an old friend. is really OF age. She's
nothing but a circus-girl. You though,
her joking when she called herself Q
lion-tamer; that's the way she mean
for us to take it-but she can't de
ceive me, She's nothing but a show
girl pretending TO come from Spring
field. But I know better. So w,
sent Mr.. Clinton there to find out al
about the family OF your friend. and II
particular about the girl that this Fra'
Is impersonating,"
You sent Bob Clinton to Spring
held!" gasped Gregory. as II his MINE
could get no further than that. TheI
no turned savagely upon Fran-"An,
did you tell her about Springfield"
Fran smiled her crooked smile.
Grace interposed: you may be sur,
she didn't! Do you think she wante,
her history cleared up7 Mr., Gregory
you are 80 blinded by what she say
that you won't investigate her claims
decided TO do this for your sake
When Mr.. Clinton back. III
good-by to this circus-girli"