Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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FRAN jShn BRECIJLNR1DCE ixus Illustrations by O. Irwin Myom Her words cams bltingly: "You can't help it You towed. You can't pardon a seed from growing." "I can belp It, and I Wilt. The past la no more mlue than hers?our mar? riage was legal, but it bound mo no more than it bound her. She chose her own companion!. I have been building up a respectable lifo, here In Llttleburg. You ?ball not oveiturn the labor of the last ten years. You can g?. My will Is unalterable. 3c ? and do what you can!" Instead of anger, Fran showed sor? row: "How long have you been mar? ried to the second Mrs. Qregory?the present oae?" He turned his back upon her as If to go to the dcor, but be wheeled about: "Ten yesrs. You understand? Ten years of the best work of my life that you wint to destroy." "Poor lady;" murmured Fran. "The first Mrs. Gregorys?my friend'?has been dead only .hree years. You and she were never divorced. The lady that you call Mrs. Qregory now?she Isn't your wife, la she?" "1 thoMght?*' he was suddenly ashen psle?"but 1 thought that she? I believed her dead long ago?I was sure of it positive. What you say is Impossible?" "But no one can sow without reap? ing." Fran said, still pityingly. "When you sung those words, It was only a song to you. but music Is Just a bit of lift's embroidery, while you think It life itself. You don't how, or reao In a choir loft. You cant sow deeds and resp words." "I understand you, now," he fal? tered. "You hare come to disgrace me What good will th.it do you, or? or ray first wife? You are no abstrac? tion, to represent sowing and reaping, but a flesh-and-bWd girl who can go away If she chooses?" "She chooses to stay." Fran assured him "Then you have resolved to ruin me and bresk my wlfo's heart!" The swset, uncomplaining face of the sec? ond Mrs. Gregory rose before him. And Grace Noir?what would she Uriah? "No. I'm Just here to have a home." "Will you enjoy a home that you seise by force?" "Don't they say that the Kingdom of Ood msy bo taken by force? But you know more about the Kingdom than I. Let tfiem believe me the daughter of some old boyhx>d friend ?that'll mako It easy. As the daugh? ter of thst friend, you'll give me a home. I'll keep out of your way, and be pleasant?a nice Utile girl, of any age you please.' She smiled remotely. He spoke dully: "But they'll want to know all about that old college friend " "Nsturnlly. Well, Just Invent some story?1 11 stsnd by you." "You don't know me." he returned, drawing himself up. "What! do you imagine 1 would lie to them?" "1 think," Fran remarked imperson? ally, "that to 4 person in your post* tlon?a person beginning to reap what he has sown, lying is always the next course. Hut you must act as your conscience dictates. You may be sure that if you decide to tell the truth. I'll certainly stand by you in thst." Helplessly d-lven to bay, be flashed out violently, "Unnatural girl?or woman?-or whatever you are?there is uo spirit of girlhood or womanhood in you." Fran returned In a low, concentrat ed voice, "If I'm unnatural, what were you In the Springfield days? Was It natural for you to be married secretly when the mn.'rlage might have been public? Wheu you went away to break the news to your father, wasn't it rather unnatural for you to hide three years before coming back? When you came back and hoard that your wife had gone away to be Sup? porten ny people who were not re? spectable, was It natural for you to be satisfied with the first rumors you heard, and disappear for good and all? As for me, yes, I have gel the? the spirit of girlhood nor womanhood, for I'm neither a girl, nor a woman. I'm nothing " Her voice trembled. "Don't rouse my anger?when I lose grip on myself, I'm pr?tty hard to stop. If I let everything rush on my mind?how she? my 'friend'?my sweet darling 'friend'?how she searched for you all the years till she died and hew even on her death-bed sho thought maybe you'd come?you?" Fran choked back the words. "Don't!" she gasped. "Don't reproach me, or I'll reproach you, and I mustn't do that I want to hide my real heart from you from all the world. 1 want to smile, and be like respectable peopl? " f <?r (J .d's sake." whispered the other frantically, "hush! I hear my wife coming Yes. yes, I'll do every? thing you say, but, oh, don't ruin me. You shall hsvn a home with us, you shall have everything, everything." ' Kxrept a welcome," Fran faltered, frightened at the emotlou she had bo Uaytd. "Can you show me to a room "My God!" Groaned the Man. ?quick?before your wife coines? I don't want to meet her, now, I'm ter? ribly tired. I've come all the way from New York to find you; I reached Llttleburg only at dusk?and I've been pretty busy ever since!" "Come, then," he said hastily. "This way?I'll show you a room. . . . It's too late," he broke off, striving deeper Italy to regain composure. The door opened, and a woman en ered the rooiii hastily. CHAPTER VI. Mrs. Gregory. The wind had suddenly increased ju violence, and a fow raindrops had already fallen. Apprehensions of a storm caused hurried movemont? throughout tho house, blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering oi the family In the reception hall, where, according to tradition, there was "lass danger;" and as the unknown lady opened the coor of tho front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caugbt s glimpse of Grace Nolr descending. The lady closed the door behind her before she porceived Fran, so Intent wss she ui>on s?!curln;r from threaten In,; rain some unfinished silk-work tying on the window-sill. Sho paused abruptly, her honeat brown eyes opened wide. The perspiration shone on Hamilton Gregory's forehead. "Just a moment," he uttered Incoherently?"wait?1 11 be back when I make sure my library window's closed. . . ." lie left the "I Am Mr*, Gregory." room, his brain In an agony of inde? cision. How much must bo told? And how would they regard him after the telling? "Who are you?" asked the lady of thirty-five, mildly, but with gathering wonder. The answer came, with a broken laugh, "1 am Fran." It was spoken a little defiantly, a little menacingly, as If the tired spirit was bracing itself for battle. The lady wore her wavy hair part? ed In the middle after that fashion which perhaps was never new; and no Impudent ribbon or arrogant flounce stole one's attention from tho mouth that was Just sincere and sweet. It was a faco one wanted to look at bo cuuse?well, Fran didn't know why. "She's no prettier than I," was Fran's decision, measuring from the natural standard?tho standard every woman hides In her own breast. "And who is Fran?" asked tho mild voice. Tho lo0> smiled so tenderly, it was like ft mellow light stealing from a fairy rose-garden of thornlesu souls. Fran caught her breath while her faco showed hardness?but not against tho other. She felt something like holy wrath as her presentment sound? ed forth protestlngly?"Hut who are you?" "I am Mrs Gregory." "Oh, no," cried Fran, with violence "no!" Sho sealed rather wildly, "It can't be?I ineaQ?but say you are not Mrs. Oregory." "I am Mrs. Gregory," tho other re? peated, mystified. Fran tried to hide her emotion with a smile, but it would havo been easier for lor to cry, Just becauso she of the patient brown eyes was Mrs. Gr igory, At that moment Hamilton Gregory re-entered the room, brought back by Ihn fear that Fran might fell all dur tng his ab?ace. How different life would have been If ho could have found her flown! - but. h? read in her faco no promise of departure, His Wlfs was not surprised at his buggurd luce, for be vsus ulways work Ing too hard, worrying over Ms exten? sive charities, planning editorials for his philanthropic journal, devising means to better the condition of the local church. Hut the presence of this stranger?doubtless ono of his count loss objects of charity?demanded ex? planation. "Come," he said bruelcly, addressing neither directly, "we needn't stop here. 1 have some explanations to make, and they might as well bo made before everybody, onco ana for M . . " Mo paused wretchedly, seeing . out? look, no possible escape. Something must be told?not a lie, but possibly not all the truth; that would rest with Fran. He was as much in her power as if she, herself, had been tho effect of hin sin. He opened the door, and walked with a heavy step into the hall. Mrs. Gregory followed, wondering, ooking rather at Fran than at her husband. Fran's keen eyes searched the apart? ment for the actual source of Hamil? ton Gregory's acutest regrets. Yes, there stood the secretaiy. CHAPTER VII. A Family Conference. Of the group, It was the secretary who first claimed Fran's attention. In a way, Grace Noir dominated the place. Ferhaps it was because of her splendidly developed body, her beauty, her attitude of unclaimed yet unrec? ognized authority, that she stood dis? tinctly' first As for Mrs. Gregory, her mild aloof? ness suggested that she harlly be* longed to the family. Hamiltcu vireg ory found himself instinctively turn? ing to Grace, rather than to his wife. Mrs. Gregory's face did. indeed, ask why Fran was there; but Graco, stand I ing at tho foot of the stairs, end look ing at Gregory with memorj of hei recent dismissal, demanded explana? tions. Mrs. Gregory's mother, confined by( paralysis to a wheel-chair, fastened upon the new-comer eyes whose brightness seventy years or more had not dimmed. The group was complet? ed by Mrs. Gregory's bachelor brother, older than his sister by fifteen years. This brother, Simon Jefferson, though stocklly built and evidently well-fed wore an air of lassitudo, as If peren? nially tired. As he leaned b ick in a hall chair, ho seemed the enly one present who did not care why Fran was there. j Gregory broke the silence by clear ing bis throat with evident embarrass? ment. A peal of thunder offered hinr reprieve, and after its reverberations had died away, he still hesitated. "This," he said presently, "is a?the orphan?an orphan?one who has come to mo from? Sho fays her name is Frances." "Fran," came the abrupt correction; "Just Fran." There was a general feeling that an orphan should speak less pDsitively, even about ,her own name?should be, us it were, subdued from the mere fact of orphanhood. "An orphan!" Simon Jefferson ejac? ulated, moving restlessly in his effort to find the easiest corner of Ills chair. "I hope nothing is going to eccite mo. I have heart-disease, little girl, and I'm liable to topple off at any moment. I toll you, I must not be excited." "I don't think," replied F:-an, with cheerful Interest in his malady, "that orphans are very exciting." Hamilton Gregory resumea, cau? tiously stepping over cangerous ground, while the others looked at Fran, and Grace never ceased to look at him. "Sho came here tonight, after the services at the Big Tent. She came here and, or I should eay, to re? quest, to ask?Miss Grace saw her when she came. Miss Grace knew of her being here." He seized upon this fact as if to lift himself over pitfalls. Grace's eyes were gravely judicial. She would not condemn him unheard, but at tho same time sho le: him see1 that her knowledge of Fran WOOld not help his case. It did not surprise Mrs. Gregory that Grace had known of the strange presence; the secretary knew of events before the rsst of the1 family. Gregory continued, delicately pick? ing his way: "Hut the child asked to see me alone, because she l ad a spe? cial message?a?yes, a massage to deliver to me. So I asked ft?ss Grace to leave us for half an hour. Then I heard the girl's story, while Miss Grace waited upstairs." "Well," Simon Jefferson Interposed Irritably, "Miss Grace is acccunted for. Go on, brother-in-law, go on, if we must have It." "The fact is, Lucy?" Gregory at this point turned to his wife?for at certain odd moments ho found relief in doing so?"the fact is?the fact is, this girl is the?er?daughter of?of a very old friend of mine?a friend who was?was a friend years ago, long be? fore I moved to Littleburg, long before I saw you, Lucy. That was when my home wai In New York. I have told you all about that time of my youth, when I lived with my father In New York. Well, before my father died, I was acquainted with?thll friend. I owed that person u great debt, not of money?a debt of?what shall I say?" Fran Suggested, "Honor." Gregory mopped his brov while all looked from Fran to him. He re? sumed desperately: "I owed a great debt to that friend -oh, not of money, of course?a debt which circumstances prevented me from paying?from meeting ?which I still ovo to the momory of thai -er of that dead friend. The friend is dead, you under? stand, yes, dead." Mrs Qregory could not understand her husband's unaccustomed hesitan? cy, she inquired of Frai, "And is your mother dead, too, little girl?" That simple question, innocently preferred, directed the course of tu ture event!. Mr. Gregory had not in? tentionally spoken of his friend in euch a way as to throw doubt upon the sex. Now that he realized how his wife's misunderstanding might save him, he had not the courage to unde? ceive her. Fran waited for him to speak. The delay had lost him tho power to re? veal the truth. Would Frau betray him? He wished that the thunder ?night drown out the sound of her words, but the storm seemed holding Its breath to listen. Fran said quietly, "My mother died three years ago." Mrs. Gregory asked her husband, "Did you ever tell me about this friend? I'd remember from his name; what was it?" It seemed Impossible for him to ut? ter the name which had sounded from his lips so often in love. He opened his lips, but he could not sav "Jose? phine." Besides, the last name would do. "Derry," he gasped. "Come here, Fran Derry," saivl Mrs. Gregory, reaching out her hand, with that sweet smile that somehow made Fran feel the dew of tears. Hamilton Gregory plucked up spir? its. "I couldn't turn away the daugh? ter of my old friend. You wouldn't want me to do that. None of you would. Now that I've explained ev? erything, I hope there'll be no objec? tion to her staying here in the house? that is, if she wants to stay. She has come to do it, she says?all the way from New York." Mrs. Gregory slipped her arm about the independent shoulders, and drew the girl down beside her upon a divan. "Do you know," she said gently, "you are the very first of all his New York friends who has come into my life? Indeed, I am willing, and indeed you shall stay with us, Just us long as you will." Fran asked impulsively, as she clasped her hands, "Do you think you OOllld like me? Could?you?" "Dear child"?the answer was ac? companied by a gentle pressure, "you are the daughter of my husband's friend. That's enough for me. You need a home, and you shall have one with us. I like you already, dear." Tears dimmed Fran's eyes. "Aid 1 Just iove you," she cried. "My! What a woman you are!" Grace Noir was silent She liked Fran less than ever, bi:t her look was that of a hired secretary, saying, "With all this, I have Lothing to do." Doubtless, when alone with Hamilton Gregory, she would express her sin? cere conviction that the girl's presence would interefere with his work?but these others would not unaerstand. Fran's unconventionality had given to Mrs. Gregory's laugh a girlish note, but almost at once her face resumed its wonted gravity. Perhaps the slight hollows in the cheeks had been pressed by the fingers of care, but it was rather lack of light than presence of shadow, that told Fran something was missing from the woman-heart. In the meantime old Mrs. Jefferson had been looking on with absorbed attention, desperately seeking to tri? umph over her enemy, a deaf demon that for years had taken possession of her. Now, with an impatient band, she bent her wheel-chair to her daugh? ter's side and proffered her ear trum? pet. "Mother," Mrs. Gregory called through this ebony connector of souls, "This is Fran Derry, the daughter of Mr. Gregory's dear friend, one he used to know in New York, many years be-! fore he came to Littleburg. Fran Isi an orphan, and needs a home. We have asked her to live with us." Mrs. Jefferson did not always hear aright, but she always responded with as much spirit as If her hearing were never in doubt. "And what I'd like to know," she cried, "is what you are asking her to give us." Grace Noir came forward with quiet resolution. "Let me speak to your mother," she said to Mrs. Gregory. Mrs. Gregory handed her the tube, somewhat surprised, since Grace made it a point of conscience seldom to talk to the old lady. When Grace Noir disapproved of any one, she did not think it right to conceal that fact. Since Mrs. Jefferson absolutely re? fused to attend religious services, al? leging as excuse that she could not hear the sermon, refusing to offer up the sacrifice of her fleshly presence as an exa.nple to others?Grace disap? proved moc,t heartily. Mrs. Jefferson held her head to the trumpet shrinkingly, as if afraid of' getting her ear tickled. Grace spoke quietly, but distinctly, as she indicated Fran?"You know 2\o\v hard It is to get a good servant In Littleburg." Then she returned tho ear trumpet That was all she had to say. Fran looked at Mr. Gregory. He bit his lip, hoping It might go at that. The old lady was greatly at sea. Much as aho disliked the secretary, her news was grateful. "Bo sure to stipulate," she said briskly, "about wheeling mo around In the garden. Tho last one wasn't told in the begin? ning, and had to bo paid extra, every time I took the nlr. There's nothing liko an understanding at the begin? ning." (TO BE CONTINUED.) Strengthen Weak Kidneys, i?<m*t suffer longer with weak kid? neys. You <;in >;?'t prompt relief by taking Rlectrlc Hitters, tb;?t wonder? ful remedy praised by women every* where, Start wiih o bottle today, you will soon feel like n new woman uiih ambition to work, without fear "i pain. Mr. John Howling <?t San Francisco, writes: "Gratitude i??r the wonderful effecl <>f lileetrlc Hitters prompts ine t<? write It cured my wife \\ Hen nil else failed." (i.I for t 1h? liver :is well. Nothing bettel i<>r In digenl Ion or hlllou in Price 50c und * i.oo, at your druggist ?Advt. I BEST PREPARED PRESIDENT. so SAYS \V. J. UK VAN OF WOOD. HOW WILSON. Secretary of state Campaigning in Thin] Congressional District of Maine Fxtols His Chief. Waterville, Maine, Sept. S.?-"Wood-j row Wilson is the beat prepared of any man who has gone Into the White House as president," said Secretary Bryan today, calling upon votert of the Third Congressional district to uphold the Democratic administration by electing William Pattingiii, the Democratic candidate for congress, at Monday's election. Mr. Bryan's re? marks in eight addresses were de? voted almost entirely to national af? fairs. it was at Belfast that Mr. Bryan extolled the qualities of President Wilson. 1U said: I "Our president stands as an expo? nent of the best principles of today, just as Thomas Jefferson stood as the exponent of the Democratic principles j years ago. No man can tell Woodrow Wilson what to do. He has a mind of his own. He is a real friend of the people. This campaign Is a very im? portant one, for it is aiding the admin? istration to lead the people to higher ideals and to work on the side of the people.*' Discussing the Mexican question, the secretary said: "Your president is trying to lift in? ternational polities to a higher plane and Is handling the Japanese and Mexican questions with great diplo? matic skill." ONLY IX SPOTS. Progressives Need More of Democratic Pigment. Winterport, Maine, Sept. G.?Secre? tary Bryan, speaking here today in behalf Of William K. Pettingiii, Dem? ocratic candidate for congress, defined a Progressive "as a man who is ashamed to he a Republican and has not the courage to be a Democrat." "The. Progressives insist that they are Democrats,'* he said. "They are. in spots, and we are glad of it, only we wish the spots were larger." ISTH WHITE HOUSE WF.DDINO. Wilson-Say re Marriage Takes Place November 25. Cornish, X. IL, Sept. I.?The mar? riage of Miss Jessie Wilson, to Fran? cis B. Sayre, of New York, will take place at the White House Tuesday, November --r?. The announcement was made from the summer home of the president by Mrs. Woodrow Wil son today. This, the thirteenth wedding in the White House, will be an afternoon af? fair. Although the desire of President Wilson always has been for extreme simplicity, it is understood be has giv? en his consent to plans that will call for an affair as brilliant as any that has ever taken place in the historic mansion. crops hmai.ij ?r, prh Kh nirrrFR ; I I Optimistic Sentiment is Gratifying to TbOM Who Wau h CoWN of Trade. New York. Sept. 5.?Dun's review tomorrow( will say: "Early promise of another year of re markable crops will not be fully realised, yet the purchasing power of tin- agricultural community in sus? tained by high prices for the leading farm products, uttlcial contirmation of considerable deterioration in cotton caused a sharp rise in that staple and corn advanced on a continuance of hot, dry weather. "The reduced harvests are calcu? lated ultimately to have some effect on railway freight traffic, but it is gratifying that sentiment remains cheerful in spite of the less favorable outlook in certain directions. "While the delay in the adoption cf 'he tariff lull sets as a check, business nevertheless has emerged from its' customary summer lethargy and with the approach of the fall season the revival of activity is becoming more pronounced. "Failures this week numbered 205 in the United States against 24 3 last year ami 19 in Canada compared with 21 a year ago." -. , Do You Fear Consumption? No matter how chronic your cough or how severe your throat or lung ailment is, Dr. King's New Discovery will surely help you; it may save your life. Stillman Green, of Mali chite, Col., writes: "Two doctors said 1 had consumption and could not live two years. 1 used Dr. King's New Dis? covery and am alive and well." Your money refunded if it fails to benefit you. The best home remedy for coughs, colds, throat and lung trou? bles. Price 50c and $1.00. Guaran? teed by your druggist.?Advt. ANOTHER SUMTER CASE. It Proves That There's a Way Ont for Many Suffering Sumter Folks. Just another report of a case in Sumter. Another typical case. Kid ney ailments relieved in Sumter with I)< an's Kidney Pills. E. W. Vogel, 401 Hampton Ave., Sumter, S. C, says: "For several years I suffered from pains through the small of my back and wherever I siooped, I was in misery. My back became \ery weak and several times 1 had to give up work. A physician treated me but his medicine brought no relief and then I tried several well-known kidney remedies, but was not helped. One day I read a state? ment In the local paper given a party who had used Doan's Kidney Pills and the remedy had acted so bene? ficially in that case that I got a sup? ply at China's Drug Store. After using one box, the aches and pains left me and six boxes completely cured me. I take pleasure In confirming my former endorsement of Doan's Kid? ney Pills. They made a permanent cure in my case." For sale by all dealers. Price 50 cents. Foster-Milburn Co., Buffalo, New York, sole agents for the United States. Remember the name?Doan's?and take no other. No. 33.' Honesty and Growth HE WHO IS CHEATED LOSES SUBSTANCE. THE MAN WHO CHEATS LOOSES CHARACTER. A safe, conservative bank furnishes absolute protec? tion. S he past speaks for itself-to the future we are looking. Our resources : Aug. 1905 $125,000.00 ; Aug. 1913 750,000.00. Now is the time. The Farmers' Bank and Trust Company. Sumter Railway & Mill Supply Co., SUMTER, S. C. The season is here when you are obliged to have repairs, generally, as quickly as they can be gotten. We are in your midst, can give you quicker service than our competitors, and we bespeak a part of your business, guaranteeing satisfaction. Our Stock is Complete in the Following Lines: Roofing: i?*1;,1"1*6* ??r' PiiUbvc Steel. Iron and rUTICJd. \v,khI split will tit v<iy fttxe shaft. Lace Leather: s""s "'" Babbitt Metal: SS'S cut Genuine 10 ifd und V I'rlmped: Rlectrotd robber rOOfting. I. S and :i ply. Roltinff* Rubber. Uandy Injectors: f, nston. sinnt as Shafting: A,1>i/,N Hangers: Packing: BS Hose* s,,'ai" ur*ter AxeS' v' P^'teet. Shaft Couplings. "TR?; Blocks* w"*- ?n? P'?^*ndrtW,wl OlUUnd. Wood. Vilyac l?-nL Ins and st - .,.< VdlTCd. lUl| i-4in. |U. u 4i n t<> to tflll. Ulldlll. pr(K)( u-Hted. and Iron Pipe Fittings. ; all styles. Bar Iron. Pino Threaded ?f' from I-M11 to Mu. in? clusive, t?> ?kefteb. Wire Rope. Saws Ir **tui *lul ,,tnu" C?r,i Hooks. rumps. Blacksmith Teils. In fact everything carried in ;?n up-to-date supply house. When needing anything write, phone, wire, or call. Your wants will have immediate attention. Respectfully, Sumter Railway & Mill Supply Go.