Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-30
! Jane Gable
GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEON,
Author of beverly of Grausark." Etc.
COMPANY ,

Bobby Rigby, the other Denis Harbert
of New York.
Its the same Bansemer," said Har-
bert as they entered the club. I'D
know him in million"
| At the Cables a servant on opening
the door announced that Mr.. Gable
was not at home.
rs Mrs. Cable at homer? asked Mr..
Bansemer, making no effort to find his
cardcase.
Eyes, sir" responded the servant aft
er moments hesitation. Bansemer
passed through the vestibule.
"Say Mr.. Bansemer, if you please"
| He removed his coat and was stand
ing comfortably in front of the blaz-
ing logs in the library when she came
down.
al thought the night was too dread
| full for any one to-renture out I'M
Less she was saying as she gave him
her hand.
"A night indoors and alone is thou
sandfold more dreadful than one out
doors In quest of good company" IT,
| terrupted Bansemer. He drew up
chairs in front or the fireplace and
stood by waiting for her to be seated.
| Il had forgotten that Mr.. Cable was
ito attend banquet at the Auditori-
um," she explained nervOusly, conf
dent, however, that he felt she had not
forgotten.
night of the banquet. l was not in
vited."
81 tried to telephone to ask you to
come tomorrow night. The storm has
played havoc with the wires. 1t is
impossible to get connection with any
one" A servant appeared In the door
way.
You are wanted at the telephone,
Mrs. Cable. Shall 1 say you will
conner
Flushing to the roots of her hair,
| the mistress of the house excused her
self and left the room. Bansemer
leaned back in his chair and smiled.
She returned a few minutes later with
"a fiuttering apology.
what a terrible night it must be for
those poor linemen." she said. Il re-
/
lineman in the west years ago. The
billiards. out there are great deal
more severe than those we have here,
Mr.. Bansemer. just think of the poor
fellows who are repairing the lines to-
night Doesn't it seem heartless?''
cit does, indeed. And vet dare say
you've been scelding them bitterly all
levening. One seldom thinks it worth
while to be merciful when the tele.
phone refuses to obey. It's only true
philanthropist who can forgive the tel
ephone. However, 1 am grateful TO the
blizzard and happy. Fair weather
would have deprived me of pleasure"
II am sorry Mr.. Gable is not al
home" she said quickly.
81 doubt If / shall miss him greatly
said he.
HE expects to leave early. He ism
WE'LL" she fastened to say. Don't vol
want to smoker
"a cigarette if you don't mind. B.
the way, where is my future daughter
in-law? Surely 1 may see her tonight.
"She is at the theater-with Fern
mores. Graydon is one of the party
Didn't you know?" she asked sud
denly.
II do remember it now He left tn
apartment quite early. Then. 1 hav
Fernmore to thank for-we are alone.
.. He leaned forward in his chair an,
flicked the cigarette ashes into the fire
his black eyes looking into hers wit
unmistakable intentness.
You assured me today that 20
would be fair" she said, with strang
calmness, meeting his gaze unflinch
ingly.
II am fair. What more can yol
ask?' with light laugh.
why did you say today that / ha,
nothing to fear from your she de
: manded.
lyon have nothing to fear. VIII,
should you fear me? For twenty year
your face has not been out of N,
memory. Why should l seek to bur
you, then? Why should I not rejoic
in the tie that binds our interests-ou
lives. for that matter? Come, ask /
am not fair?"
Her face BECAME pale, her heart cold
She understood. The mask was of
He yelled his threat In the simples
words possible. The purpose looked
through with greedy disdain TO
grace.
II can offer no more than 1 offere,
today, she said.
do you suppose would accep
money in payment for my sons peac
of mind?" declared Bansemer, witt
finely assumed scorn. you offere,
me $4,000. You will never know how
that hurt me, coming from you. Mon
ey7 What is money to me in an affai
like this? l care more for one tende
touch of your fingers than all the mon
ey In the worldl You and you alon
can mold every impulse in me. Fo
half my life have been hated. N
one has given me grain of love.
must have it. For years you have no
. been out of my mind-I have not beel
out of yours
"Stopi" she cried angrily. "Yo
! have no right to say such things t
me. You have been in nay mind al
|. these years, but, oh, how have hate