The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1908-09-09


Ia .oJ.. -. tIV..,rr, uOI inTre-
Iucn.l, h. h.d ,,ncd with them i'm the
dowliOWu ,dIes and at the homes Of
mutual acquaintances, but this was the
first time that James Bansemer had en-
jOyed the hospitality Of Frances Ca
ble's home. His son. on the best of
terms with their daughter, was a fire.
quent visitor there.
There was a rare bump of progress
siveness in the character Of Graydon
Bensemer. He was good looking
enough beyond doubt, and there was
vast degree of personal magnetism
about him. 1t seemed but natural that
be should readily establish himself as
a friend and a favorite of the fair Miss
Cable. For some time James Ban
semer had watched his sons progress
with the Cable family, not once allow
ing his personal interest to manifest
itself. 1t was but a question Of time
until Mrs. Cables suspense and anxiety
would bring her to him one way or an
other. Every word that fell from the
lips of his son regarding the Cables
held his attention, and 1t was not long
before he saw the family history as
clearly as though it were an open book,
and he knew far more than the open
book revealed.
Frances Gable was not deluded by
his silence and aloofness. But she was
unable to devise means to circumvent
him. Constant fear Of his power to
trush luTked near her day and night.
CONSCIOUS of her weakness, but eager
10 have done with the strife, sometimes
she longed for the enemy to advance.
At first she distrusted and despised
the son, but his very fairness battered
down the barriers of prejudice, and
real admiration succeeded. Her hus-
band liked him immensely, and Jane
was his ablest ally. David Cable re-
garded him as one of the brightest
young men on the stock exchange and
predicted that some day he would be
an influential member Of the great
brokerage firm for which he now act
cd as confidential clerk. Mr.. Clegg, the
senior member of the firm of Clegg,
Groll & Davidson, his employers, per-
sOnally had recommended young Ban
semer to Gable, and he was properly
impressed.
Graydon's devotion to Jane did not
go unnoticed. This very condition
James Bansemer had kept her secret
zealOusly. There was nothing to indi-
cate that the young man knew the
story Of the founding.
1t was not until some weeks after
the chance meeting in Hooley's theater
that Mrs. Cable came into direct con-
tact with James Bansemer's designs.
She had met him at two or three form
al affairs, but their conversations had
been of the most conventional charac-
ter. On the other hand, her husband
had lunched and dined at the club
with the lawyer. At first she dreaded
the outcome of these meetings, but as
Cables attitude toward her remained
unchanged she began to realize that
Bansemer, whatever his purpose, was
loyal.
They met at last quite informally at
Mrs. Cleggs dinner, a small and con-
genial affair. When the men came
into the drawing room after the cigars
Mrs. Gable, with not a little trepida-
ton, motioned to Mr. Bansemer to
draw up his chair beside her.
81 have been looking forward with
pleasure to this opportunity, Mr.. Ban
semer," she said in a courteously acid
ulated way. 1T has been so long in
coming"
Better late than never" he returned,
with marked emphasis. Fortunately
for her the challenging significance of
his words was quickly nullifed by the
smile with which she was almost in
stantly favored Twenty years, be.
lieve-it certainly came very near be-
ing never" he went on, abruptly
changing from harsh to the sweetest of
tones. mo one could believe that you
you're simply wonderful" and added
pointedly, But your daughter is even
more beautiful, If such is possible,
than her-her mother"
Apparently the innuendo passed I'M
noticed. In reality, it required all her
courage to appear calm.
How very nice of yOu," she said
softly. And looking him full in the
face, "Her mother thanks you for the
compliment"
1t was a brave little speech. Such
bravery would have softened man Of
another mold-changed his purpose.
Not so with Bansemer. A sinister
CLEAN came into his eyes, and his at
tack became more brutally direct.
But the husband-has he never mis-
trustedT'
The blow told. though her reply was
given with ripping laughter and for
the benefit of any chance listeners.
For shame, Mr.. Bansemer| she
nriad lightly after catering me so