The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-12-26

the thick stubble of gray and black
Not one. but a hundred diners, looked
with curiosity upon the nervous. un
couta 60 man. There was a buzz OF
interest n a eraning of necks when
the crowd saw the handsome couple
join him at the table in the +
Il wish you'd order the dinner for
me, Graydon." he said rather plain
lively. Il a pay for it, Miss Cable,
be added, with an attempt at joviality,
but I'm no good at ordering. These
young sweIls know all about it. Get
champagne, Graydon. Order some
thing nice for Miss Gable, Anywhere
up to $50. I'm not a millionaire, Miss
Cable. Tell the waiter I'll pay for II.
Graydon. This is a swell place, isn't
it. Miss Gable? I've never been in
Europe, but they say they can't touch
our restaurants over there. Get oys-
ters, Graydon."
by Jove. Elias, you are giving us
a treat" laughed Graydon. The old
mans mood had changed suddenly.
He was beaming in his effort to be
agreeable, A glance around the room
had convinced him that the prettiest
woman there was sitting at his table.
He felt a new sense of pride.
81 am proud of myself" said broom,
and he meant it.
ITS very good of you to ask me to
come, Mr.. Droom," said Jane, her
bright eyes meeting his before they
could lift themselves into the custo-
mary stare above her head.
I'm not so sure about that" said
Elias. From time to time he glanced
~uneasily toward a table at his left. 1t
was set for six persons, nom of whom
had arrived. 81 trust it will not be
the last time you will honor me, Miss
Gable. l am getting very hospitable
in my old age. If you don't mind,
Graydon, | won't drink this cocktail
may take the champagne. Pm quite
a teetotaler, you see. Milk, always.
BY the way, Graydon," he said, turn.
ing suddenly to the young man, 81
suppose you've led her to believe that
] l had a motive in asking her to dine
tonight-I mean other than the pleas
ure it would give to me"
/, I'll rather thought something Of
the sort" stammered Graydon.
well, there is a motive. I've decid
ed at last to tell all l knew. Don
look like that, Miss Gable. You'll at
: tract attention. Calm yourself. |
will be some time before the story 4
Forthcoming. Besides, | doubt yer,
, much whether you'll get any grea
satisfaction out Of it, although 1t ma
clear things up a bit for you. If you'v
been hoping that your father an
mother-well, wen take u tint
o Here are the oysters. oysters max
me think Of your father, Graydol
e Don't choke. my boy" he ehuckled 9
2 Graydon stiffened quickly. HE had
Is N arrested at her own Dime
le party one night-right over there
sc Fifth avenue too. Search warrant an
&c all that The oysters were bein
u served when the papers were serve
le Alb, he was a great man for e
fective revenge. She had dared hir
YOU see. Did you ever hear Of Il
IL other time when he permitted an
es norant host to invite two deadly en-
= mics to the same dinner? One fello
had robbed the other fellow of b
wife. Terrible scandal. Your faith
ne knew that they expected to kill O
another on sight And yet when t
10 host told him whom he expected
invite he let him ask the two men.
IT. told me about it afterward. 1t anus
| him. Everybody but the host knew
de the row, and there was a panic In
" drawing room"
"Good Lord" gasped Graydon, ne
lessly pushing the oysters away. w
De- are o telling me thisY'
cal ooh. it was a great Joke It's a go
dinner story. The joke comes in at
d" end. Both those fellows got tight a
ats went home with their arms about
another. By the way, Graydon, WI
I'M do YOU hear from your fatherT
Graydon looked uncomfortably
de lane. whose face was set with distre
"Elias. you've got no right to-
asst gan the young man coldly.
her az beg your pardon if I've offendc
said broom abjectly. IL don't KIN
moi the etiquette Of small talk. Forg
led me. I was interested; that was all.
ad. ut may interest you to know tina
had a long talk with Mr.. Clegg !
: afternoon. He says there is a me
nd ment ON foot to secure a pardon
father. Father hasn't asked any
TO intercede. 1t Is known that he
mo, 20 to England as soon as he Is reiea'
.re, That's an inducement, you see"
said bitterly.
,,ro proom's face tgrred a frozen WI
rae, Ills steely eyes took on a pecu
NJ glaze. and his hand grasped his leg
=, IL It were a wise intended to hold
was in his chair.
ter 81 haven't told you abort IT. Ial
.eet. went on Graydon. mi. Clegg has 5
me. father. and he says he Is indineI
ath. about il. He intends to leave the g
trv in n event. / am going to y
- him tonight. asking him to let q
~ ann,v for A pardon. 1t may saw