Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-16

0uA6ClS AuOlC SOiaAhC NOhAAh-
my husband is railroad engineer
and is ten years older than l." the mar
rater said in the beginning. 81 wasn't
quite nineteen when we were married,
two years ago. For some time we got
along all right; then we began to quar-
rel. He commenced to-
Mr.. Bansemer is In a hurry, Fam"
broke in the older sister sharply, and
then, repeating the lawyers words.
BE as brief as possible.
There was world of reproach in the
look which greeted the speaker. Evil
IDENTITY 1t was grievous disappoint
ment not to be allowed to linger over
the details.
''Well," she continued half pettishly,
at all ended by his leaving home, job
and everything. l had told him that 1
was going to apply for divorce. For
three months never heard from him."
Did you apply for divorce?" asked
the lawyer, sitting yawn.
mo, sir, l did not, although he did
nothing toward nay support" The
woman could not resist a slightly CO.
quettish attempt to enlist Bansemer's
sympathy. Il obtained work at st.
Luke's Hospital For Foundlings and
after that as goyerness. But once
week l went back to the asylum to
see the little ones. One day they
brought in a beautifully dressed baby
a girl. She was found on Il doorstep,
and in the basket was note asking
that she be well cared for. With it
was hundred dollar bill The moment
saw the little thing l fell in love
with her. | made application, and they
gave me the child with the under
standing that l was to adopt it. You
see, was lonely. l had been living
alone for nine or ten months. The au-
thorities knew nothing of my trouble
with Mr.. Cable-that's my husband,
David Gable. The child was about
month old when l took her to his
mother, whom hadn't seen in months.
told Mrs. Gable that she was mine
The dear old lady believed me; half
the battle was won" She paused out
"And then?" he asked, once more in
terested
I'VE both wrote to David asking him
to come home to his wife and baby"
She looked away guiltily. For a full
minute Bansemer did not speak.
THE result?" he demanded.
HE came back last month"
Does he know the truth?'
"No, and with Gods help he never
shall! It's my only salvation" she ex-
claimed emot;onally. HE thinks she
is his baby and-and"- The tears
were on her cheeks now. 81 worship
him, Mr.. Bansemer! Oh, how good
and sweet he has been to me since he
came back. Now, don't you see why I
must adopt this child and why he must
never know? If he learned that had
deceived him in this way he would
hate me to my dying day.
The infant was awake and staring
at him with wide blue eyes.
And you want me to handle this
matter so that your husband will be
none the wiser?"
"Oh. Mr.. Ransemer," she cried, at
means everything to mel All depends
on this baby. l must adopt her or the
asylum people won't let me keep her.
Can't 1t be done so quickly that he'll
never find it out?"
How many people know that the
child is not yoursW
my sister and the authorities at the
asylum; not another SOUL"
''It is possible to arrange the adop-
ton, Mrs. Cable, but 1 can't guarantee
that Mr.. Cable will not find it out. The
records VIII show the fact, you know.
There is but one way to avoid discoy-
cry"
"And that, please"
Leave New York and make your
home in some distant city. That's the
|safe way. If you remain here there
is always chance that he may find
out. l see the position you're In. and
I'll help you. 1t can be done quite reg
ularly, and there is only one thing
you'll have to fear-your own tongue"
he concluded pointedIy.
IL hate New York, Mr.. Bansemer.
David likes the west, and I'll go any
where on earth If it will keep him from
finding out. Oh, if you knew how he
adores herr she cried, regret and &C.
stasy mingling in her voice. I'D give
my soul if she were only miner Banse-
mer's heart was too roughly calloused
to be touched by the wistful longing In
these words.
Before the end of the week the adop-
ton of the founding babe was mat
ter of record, and the unsuspecting Da-
|vid Cable was awaiting a reply from
the trainmaster of a big western rail-
ro1d to whom, at the earnest. even
leager solicitation Of his wife. he had ap
Iplied for work. Elias broom made a
mote of the fee in the daybook at the
office. but asked no questions. Banse-
mer had told him nothing of the trans
faction. but he was confident that the
indispensable broom knew all about II
Ieven though he had not been nearer
than the outer Office during any Of the
consultations.