The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1914-02-04

Hamilton Gregory took her In his
arms and held her to his breast.
Fran" he said brokenly. my unfor.
tuhate child my daughter-oh.
why were you BORN"
Yes" sobbed Fran. resting her
head upon his bosom. yes. why was
| born?"
you break my heart" he sobbed
with her. Fran. say the word, aud
! will tell everything; | will acknowl.
edge you as my daughter. and IL my
wife"
Fran shook her head. you owe no
more. TO my mother thar TO her she
said. catching her breath. NO. the
secret must be kept--always. Father
i must never call you that except
when we are %alone--l must always
whisper It. like a prayer-father. let
me be your secretary
II was strange that this request
should surround Fran with the chill
atmosphere OF n tomb. Ills embrace
relaxed insensibly. lie looked n, his
daughter In frightened bewildermcnt.
as II afraid she had drawn him o
FAR from his security for further hid
ing. During the silence. she awaited
his decision.
1t was because OF her t%umui,uous
emotions that she failed to hear ad.
vancing footsteps.
Some n is coming" he exclaimed.
with il%l.concealed relief. I'VE mustn't
be- seen thus-we would be misundcr.
stood" He strobe to the window, and
pretended to look out. His ,ace
cleared momentarily.
The door opened. and Grace Nolr
started in, then paused significantly
Am ] interrupting? she asked. In
quiesccnt accent.
Certainly not" Gregory brea;hed
freedom. HIS surprise was so joyful
that he was carried beyond himself
Grace! It's Grace! Then you didn't
20 to the city with Bob. There wasn't
any train"
II am here" began Grace easily
"ies, OF course. that's the main
thing" his delight could not be held
in check. You are here, indeed! And
you are looking-i mean you look
WE'LL mean you are not %ill-your re-.
turn is so unexpected"
Il am here" she steadily persisted.
because | learned something that
affects my interests. went part OF
the way with Mr.. Clinton. but after
thinking over what had been told me.
! decided TO leave the train at the next
station. | have been driven back IN a
carriage. I may as well tell you. Mr..
Gregory, that ! am urged to acc, pit n
responsible position In Chicago"
He understood that she referred 20
marriage with Robert Clinton. But"
he began. very pale.
She repeated. "A responsible posi-.
ton In Chicago. And | was told, this
morning. that while | was away. Fran
meant to apply for the secretaryship,
thus taking advantage OF my absence"
Fran's face looked oddly white and
old, In It's oval OF black hair. who
told you this truth ?" she demanded.
with n menacing CLEAN OF teeth.
who knew Of your intentions ?" the
gracefully said. But this IL no
matter. The point is that ! have this
Chicago opportunity. So II Mr.. Greg.
DRY wants to employ you. ! must know
II nj once. to make my arrangenis nts
accordingly"
Can you imagine" Hamilton cried
ioproachful!y. that without any warn.
ing. ! would make a change? Certain.
ly not. | have no Intention OF employ.
ing Fran. The idea Is impossible.
More than that. II is-er-it Is abso.
lutely preposterous. Would ! calmly
tear down what you and ! have been
building up so c~arefully?"
Then you had already refused Fran
before | came?"
II had-hadn't I. Franz"
Fran gave her father a look such
as had never before come into her
dark eyes-a look OF %reproach. a look
that said. II cannot fight back because
OF the agony In my heart" She went
away silent and with downcast head.