Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-01-23

to Simmtown to meet him in the sur
rey, 80 Miss Grace is alone down
there" She nodded ponderously
"Alone!" he exclaimed involuntarily.
"Yes-I look for Bob and Abbott
now Just any minute" She added.
eying the crowd-"I saw Fran on the
street. long and merry agc!" Her &C.
cent was that of condemnation. Like
rock she sat, letting the tickle pop
ulace drift by to minstrel show and
snake den. The severity Of her double
chin said they might all 60 thither-
she would not.
This was also Gregory's point OF
view; and even in his JOY at finding
the coast clear. he paused to say. 81
am sorry that Fran seems to have lost
all reason over this carnival company.
II she would show half as much inter.
est in her souls welfare"
He left the sentence unfinished. The
thought of Grace had grown supreme
1T seemed to illuminate some wide
and splendid road into q glorious fu
ture.
The bookkeeper's desk was in a gal
lery near the ceiling of the Clinton
grocery store; one looked thence
through q picket-fence. down upon the
only floor. Doubtless Grace. thus look
ing, saw him coming. When he reached
her side. he was breathless. partly
from the struggle through the masses
principally from excitement of fancied
security.
She was posting up the ledger. and
made no sign of recognition until he
called her name.
"Mr. Clinton is not here" she said
remotely. Can I do anything fol
your"
He admired her calm courtesy Il
at the same time she could have beer
reserved and yielding he would have
found the impossible combination per
feet. Because 1t was impossible. he
was determined to preserve her an
gelic purity in imagination. and to re
store her womanly charm to actua
being.
How can you receive me so coldly.
he said impulsively, when I've moi
seen you for weeks?"
you see me at church." she an
swered impersonally.
But / have been dying to be neal
you, to talk to you"
"Stop!" she held up her hand. "Yo,
should know that Mr.. Clinton and
are"
"Grace!" he groaned.
She whispered, her face suddenl,
growing pale. Are engaged" Tn,
tete-a-tete was beyond her supposed
strength.
Engaged" he echoed. as II she ha,
pronounced one of the worlds grea
tragedies. Then you will give your
self to that man-yourself, Grace, tina
beautiful self-and without love? IT.
crime! Don't commit the horribl,
blunder that's ruined my life. Sc,
what wretchedness has come to me
Then you think" very slowly. tina
I ought to let Fran ruin my whole lif
because your wife has ruined yours
Then you think that after I have beef
driven out of the house to make room
for Fran. that ought to stay singh
because you married unwiselyf"
Grace. don't say you are driver
out"
What do you call It! A resigns
tom"
"Grace!-we have only a few me
ments to be alone. For PHYS sake
look at me kindly and use anothe
tone-a tone like the dear days whel
you were by my side. We ma
never be together again"
She looked at him with the same RI
pellent expression, and spoke In tn
same bitter tone: well. suppose v e'r
not? You and that Fran will be Il
gether."
In his realization that 1t was Frar
and Fran alone. who separated then
Gregory passed into a state of anger
to which his love added recklessnesi
Grace, hate me II you must. but 20
shall not misunderstood mel"
She laughed. please don't ask m
to understand you. Mr.. Gregory. Will
you hide the only secret to your vi
Outstanding. Don't come to me wit
pretended liking when what you ca
mysterious business interests 9
Springfield drive me from your doc
and keep Fran at my desk"
He interposed In q low, passionat
voice. Il am resolved that you shout