The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-01-03


rey, SO Miss Grace is alone down
there" She nodded ponderously
"AIone." he exclaimed involuntdrily.
"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 ago." Her ac-
cent was that of condemnation. Like
a 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 go 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, Il
am sorry that Fran seems to kave 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 a glorious flu.
ture.
The bookkeeper's desk was in a gal
lery near the ceiling of the Clinton
grocery store; one looked thence,
through a picket-fence. down upon the
only floor. Doubtless Grace, thus iook-
ing, saw him coming When he reached
her side, he was GREATNESS, 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 for
your"
He admired her calm courtesy. II
at the same time she could have been
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 actual
being.
How can you receive me so coldly,"
he said impulsively. when I've not
seen you for weeks?''
you see me at church." she an
swered impersonally.
But / have been dying to be near
you, to talk to you
Stop" she held up her hand. You
should know that Mr.. Clinton and /
are"
"Grace!" he groaned.
She whispered, her face suddenly
growing pale, Are engaged" The
tete-a-tete was beyond her supposed
strength.
Engaged" he echoed, as If she had
pronounced one Of the worlds great
tragedies. Then you will give your
self to that man-yourself. Grace, that
beautiful self-and without love? It's
a crime! Don't commit the horrible
blunder that's ruined my life. See
what wretchedness has come to me"
Then you think" very slowly. that
/ ought to let Fran ruin my whole life
because your wife has ruined yours :?
Then you think that after have been
driven out of the house to make room
for Fran. that | ought to stay single
because you married unwisely?"
Grace. don't say you are driven
out"
What do you call it? A resigna-
tom"
"Grace!-we have only a few mo-
ments to be alone. For PHYS sake,
look at me kindly and use another
tone-a tone like the dear days when
you were by my side. We may
never be together again"
She looked at him with the same re-
pellent expression, and spoke in the
same bitter tone: well. suppose " ere
not? You and that Fran will be to-
gether."
In his realization that 1t was Fran.
and Fran alone. who separated them.
Gregory passed into a state of anger
to which his love added recklessness.
Grace, hate me II you must, but you
shall not misunderstood mel"
She laughed. please don't ask me
to understand you, Mr.. Gregory, while
you hide the only secret to your un-
Don't come to me with
pretended liking when what you call
mysterious business interests at
Springfield drive me from your door,
and keep Fran at my desk"
He interposed in low. passionate
voice. 81 am resolved that you should