FRAN

CONTENTS


I A KNOCK AT THE DOOR.

II A DISTURBING LAUGH.

III ON THE FOOT-BRIDGE.

IV THE WOMAN WHO WAS NOT MRS. GREGORY.

V WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.

VI MRS. GREGORY.

VII A FAMILY CONFERENCE.

VIII WAR DECLARED.

IX SKIRMISHING.

X AN AMBUSCADE.

XI THE NEW BRIDGE AT MIDNIGHT.

XII GRACE CAPTURES THE OUTPOSTS.

XIII ALLIANCE WITH ABBOTT.

XIV FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE.

XV IN SURE-ENOUGH COUNTRY.

XVI A TAMER OF LIONS.

XVII SHALL THE SECRET BE TOLD?

XVIII JUST THIRTY MINUTES.

XIX THE FIRST VICTORY.

XX THE ENEMY TRIUMPHS.

XXI FLIGHT.

XXII THE STREET FAIR.

XXIII THE CONQUEROR.

XXIV NEAR THE SKY.





CHAPTER I

A KNOCK AT THE DOOR




Fran knocked at the front door. It was too dark for her to find the
bell; however, had she found it, she would have knocked just the same.

At first, no one answered. That was not surprising, since everybody
was supposed to be at the Union Camp-meeting that had been advertised
for the last two months. Of course it was not beyond possibility that
some one might have stayed at home to invite his soul instead of
getting it saved; but that any one in Littleburg should go visiting at
half-past eight, and especially that any one should come knocking at
the door of this particular house, was almost incredible.
No doubt that is why the young woman who finally opened the door--
after Fran had subjected it to a second and more prolonged visitation
of her small fist--looked at the stranger with surprise which was, in
itself, reproof. Standing in the dim light that reached the porch from
the hall, Fran's appearance was not above suspicion. She looked very
dark, sharp-faced, and small. Her attitude suggested one who wanted
something and had come to ask for it. The lady in the doorway believed
herself confronted by a "camper"--one of those flitting birds of outer
darkness who have no religion of their own, but who are always putting
that of others to the proof.