Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-01-09
Dear Miss Noir:

0AC60A ID
decided to make Fran his secretary.
some over early in the morning and
everything will be arranged to your
satisfaction. I am,
ROBERT CLINTON"
Gregory looked up, and marked
the fixedness Of her gaze. It seemed
to call upon him to avenge an insult.
He could only buster, who brought
this thing here?" He flung the note
upon the table.
"A messenger" Grace's look did
not waver.
The i~mpudencei" he exclaimed.
"The affrontl"
However," said Grace, "I presume
it Is final that I am dismissed?n
B u his unseemly haste in sending
this note-it's infamous, that's what
call it, infamousi"
And you mean to take Fran In my
place, do you not?"
You see," Gregory explained. Bob
Clinton came back to town this even.
ing from Springfield, you understand.
and Abbott came with him-er-and
Mrs. Gregory was in the room SO they
u not speak exactly openly. and
Abbott made the condition. can
hardly explain SO delicate an affair of
of business-but you see, Bob is evil.
IDENTIFY very much In love with o
and he has 1t in his power to de.
mand-"
Grace calmly waited for the other
to lapse into uncertain silence. then
said, This note tells me definitely
that am offered another position, but
you tell me nothing. 1t was | who
sent Mr.. Clinton to Springfield to look
into the private record of that Fran
You see," Gregory explained. "he
was afraid l might think 1t presumptu
Gus of him to do that, it was like
doubling my word. SO he came to me-
however, he is back and there is moth.
Ing to reveal, absolutely nothing tc
reveal"
rs he sure that the girl is no i'm.
posters"
He knows she isn't. His pockets
are full of proofs. l know you sent
Bob on my account, Grace, but alas!
Fran is a reality-she can't be dis.
missed"
1T seems I can be. But of course
am nothing"
Grace, you are everything..n
She laughed. Everything! At the
word of an Abbott Ashton, a disgraceo
school-teacher, you make me less thar
nothing!"
He cried out impetuously, "Shall
tell you why we must part?"
Grace returned with a somber look
$50 Fran is to have my place!"
Gregory i~nterposed pa~ssionateiy, I'll
is because / love you"
so Fran is to be your secretary!"
she persisted.
Grace, you have read my heart, I
have read yours; we thought we could
associate in safety, after that-but
am weak. You never come into the
room that l am not thrilled with rap
ture. Life hasn't any brightness for
me except your presence. What can i
do but protect your"
mr.. Gregory, Fran hasn't any in.
terest in your work"
4 AONO JOug AldC6@ duOT0 YOU.
Beautiful darling-don't you see you
must go away because you are so in
expressibly precious to me? That's
why ! mustn't have you under my
roof" He sank upon his knees and
caught her hand. See me at your
feet-should this thing be-"
Grace coldly withdrew her hand.
TN spite of all you say, you have en-
gagged Fran in my place."
mo n a take your place, dear"
Grace's voice suddenly vibrated:
You tell me you love me, yet you
agree to hire that woman in my
place-the oma | hate, | tell you;
yes, the spy, the enemy of this home"
yes, Grace, | do tell you that |
love you would be kneeling here
worshiping you, otherwise? And what
is more, you know that you love me-
you know it. That's why l must send
you away"
'Then send Fran away, when you
send me away"
"Oh, my God. If I could!" he ex-
claimed, starting up wildly. But you
see, it's impossible. l can't do that,
and ! can't help you"
why is it impossible? Must you
treat better the daughter Of an old
college friend, than the you
say you love? What are those myste-
rious Springfield interests?
And you are the woman who
loves mel" Gregory interrupted quick
ly. "Say 1t, Gracel Tell me you low,
me before you go away-just those
three words before l sink back into
my lonely despair. We will never be
alone together In this life-tell me.
then, that you love me-let me hear
those words from your beautiful
lips
SIT makes me taught" Grace cried
out in wrath that could not be con-
trolled, ito hear you speak of love
In one breath and of Fran In the next.
Maybe some day you'll speak both In