The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1914-03-11

these, men we cannot go on with our /,
work. without her"
Not for worlds would Mrs. Gregory
have betrayed her eagerness for Grace |
to 20, but for no consideration would
she have asked her to stay. "Mr. |
Gregory" she responded. Il cannot
conceive OF your being In the power OF
business interests to such an extent
as to drive you 10 anything that seems
like taking your hearts blood"
Il refused" cried Gregory. again.
"Of curse I refuse"
Very WELL" said Abbott. turning.
But what are you going to dor"
Gregory asked shrinkingly.
Il shall 20 now: my endeavor 20
s%traighten out things-or rather to
keep everything peaceful and forgot.
ten-comes to nothing. It seems. Good
evening. Mrs. Gregory"
But wait! Wait! Let VI discuss
this alone"
1T is useless now. for tho time has
expired"
That's right" Clinton confirmed.
clicking to his watch.
And all OF Il 10 going to be toldf
Everything"
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"
IIe> covered his face with his hands.
Everybody has turned against me-"
he complained. II am the most miser.
able man on earth because for mere
caprice. for mere spite. for no earthly
good. II IL the determination OF people
who have lost positions and the like.
TO drive me Wild"
Robert Clinton thumped the keys OF
the piano with n hand.
why. hello, Mr.. Bob" cried Fran.
dancing into the room 80 you're
back. arc you?" She shook hands
breezily.
Come back. Abbott, come back!"
called Gregory. discovering that the
young man was indeed going. You
know what | must do. II you drive
me to the wall. ! am Obliged 10 do
what you say State the condition
again II you have the courage to say
IL aloud"
THE past will be forgotten" said
Abbott %solemnly. III you give your
word that your secretary shall go In
the morning"
And youll take me in her place.
spoke up Fran decidedly.
The time is up" said Clinton harsh.
ly. It's too late now. for | shall
tell"
Il promise. | promise!" Gregory
cried out. in an agony OF fear. II
promise. Yes, III 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. aud looked about With
an elhsh smile.
Hamilton Gregory was mute.
IL have your promise" said Abbott.
bowling gravely, That's enough"
YES" g~roaned Gregory. but It is
Infamous"
Ipr.n lnA1aA NJ AAhAIN na,.,aki,
Third times the charm" she said In
n 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
watched the retreating figure.
In n 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 a final bang.
and darted out OF the house.
Gregory stood pale and miserable.
IL seemed as II 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 him7 Per.
haps he was reaping-but Ii there no
end to the harvest? One sows In so
brief a time; is the garnering eternaly
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 bresths. star.
ing duly,
Footsteps were heard again. They
we're near by. They stopped at the
door-they were hers. Gregory start.
ed up with q low CRY Of terminated