The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-07-30

ing room. She had taken. more time
than usual with her toilet. 1t was i'm
possible for her to hide the fact that
the strain was telling on her percepti-
bly,. The face that looked back into
her eyes from the mirror on her dress
ing table was not the fresh, warm one
that had needed SO little care a few
short months before There was
heayiness about the eyes, and there
were strange, persistent lines gather
ing under the soft, white tissues of her
skin. But when she at last stepped
into the presence of her guests, with
ample apologies for her hardness, she
was the picture of life and nerve. So
much for the excellent resources of her
will.
Bansemer was the last to present
himself for her welcome, lingering in
the background until the others had
passed.
I'm so glad you could come. In
deed. it's a pleasure to- She spoke
clearly and distinctly as she extend
ed her hand, but as she looked square
lySnto his eyes she thought him the
ugliest man she ever had seen. Every
other woman in the party was saying
to herself that James Bansemer was
striktngly handsome.
Most pleasures come late in life to
some of u.s." he returned CALAMITY, and
even Graydon Bansemer wished that
he could have said it.
Your father is a perfect dear" Jane
said to him softly. "It was not what
he said just then that pleased me, but
what he left unsaid"
Fathers no end of a good fellow,
Jane. I'm glad you admire him"
You are not a bit like him." she
said refectively.
Thanks" he exclaimed. you are
not very f1attering."
But you are a different sort Of a
good fellow; that's what 1 mean. Don't
be absurd" she cried in some little
confusion.
I'm like my mother, they say.
though I don't remember her at ALL"
"Oh, how terrible 1t must be never
to have known ones motherr said she
tenderly.
"Or ones father" added James Ban
semer, who was passing at that in
slant with Mrs. Gable. please include
the father. Miss Gable" he pleaded,
with mock seriousness. Turning to
Mrs. Gable, who had stopped beside
him, he added, You, the most charm
ing Of mothers, will defend the IA
theirs, won't your
with all my heart" she answered
so steadily that he was surprised.
IT will include the father, Mr.. Ban
semer." said Jane. IF 1t is guaranteed
that he possibly could be as nice and
dear as ones mother. In that case
think 1t would be, oh. dreadfully terri
BILE never to have known him."
And to think, Miss Gable, of the
unfortunates who have known neither
father nor mother" said Bansemer
senior, slowly, relentlessly. How
much they have missed Of life and
lover
That can be Offset somewhat by the
thought of the poor parents who never
have known a son or a daughter" said
Jane.
How can they be parents, thenr'
demanded Bobby Rigby, coming up in
time.
go away, Bobby" she said scorn-
fully.
That's a nice way to treat logic" he
grumbled, ambling on in quest of Miss
Clegg.
"The debate will become serious If
you continue" said Mrs. Cable lightly
Come along, Mr.. Bansemer. Mrs.
Craven Is waiting"
When they were across the room and
alone she turned a white face to him
and demonstrated bitterly, "Oh. that
was cowardIy Of you after your prom
Use to me"'
II forgot myself" he said quietly
Don't believe me to be utterly heart
less" His hand touched her arm. In
stantly her assumed calm gave way t.
her deep agitation, and with a swift
change of manner she turned on him
her passion alight.
YOU she stammered. Then he
fears found voice. What do 20,
mean?' she demanded in smothered
alarmed tones.
He desisted savagely and shranl
away, the color flaming into his dis
gusted, saturnine face. He did no
speak to her again until he said good
by long afterward.
AS he had expected, his place at tn
dinner table was some distance from
hers. He was across the table from
I Jane and Graydon and several seat
removed from David Gable. He smiled
grimly and knowingly when he saw
that he had been cut of cleverly from
the Gables.
/ Tomorrow night, then, Janew sale
/ Graydon at parting. No one was nea
enough to catch the tender eagernes
In his voice nor to see the happy fusl
in her cheek as she called after him:
Tomorrow night"
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