The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-09-26
CHAPTER XIII.

- was AON AANA LIZ hhAAI
ing Bansemer entered the
~ door of Rectors that the
apprehension Of having
0A committed a senseless
~ blunder came to him.
Good heavensl' he muttered, stop
ping short. what a fool I'm getting
to b~e-meeting old Elias, In a place like
thisl The theater crowds-everybody
in town viii be here by IL! Curse me,
for a hopeless asst l must get him
away at once!"
Grumbling at himself, he passed into
the restaurant Gabe offered him the
choice Of various tables. He selected
one which commanded q view Of the
entrances and ordered a p%erfunctory
Scotch" Nervous and anxious, he
was more troubled than be cared to
admit even to himself. Fortunately
there were not many people In b
cafe, and his gaze wandering about
the place soon halted before the small
alcove in the east end containing a
table with wine glasses, in waiting,
set for a large party. The clock, back
Of the cigar stand, said it was five
minutes after II.
Bansemer impatiently watched the
W doors leading to the street and
was beginning to wonder whether the
message had reached the old clerk
when presently the uncouth shape of
broom appeared Sinking through the
so called ladies' entrance with the
shrinking attitude of one unaccustom-
ed to fashionable restaurants and
doubtful of his reception. Bansemer
motioned to him.
Just as soon as l can get my check
he was saying, at the same time beck.
oning to a waiter, well move Out
Of this. 1t will be crowded in
never thought, a stall at Chaplin 8
Cores will be better. Here, waiter
my check I'm In a hurryl Int
devil!'
AS the exclamation burst from hi
lips there came down the narrow step
and through a door quickly throw
open by a waiter a number of gay
fashionably dressed people, all smiling
and trembling with the cold. lmmedi
ately this party attracted the attentio.
of the room. Walters rushed hithe
and thither relieving the ladies of thei
costly lace and fur wraps aud the me
Of their heavy overcoats. OF the eS
pected theater comers these were th
first to arrive, but presently others 70
lowed, and soon the quiet cafe of tn
early evening became transformed int
one of hustle and excitement by th
eager, animated throng. With disma
Bansemer noticed that those to whol
his attention had been attracted we,
blocking his way to the doors. e
cape was out of the question. Ilelu,
family he returned to his seat and o
dered the clerk to take the one o.
posite him. Then scanning the part
making its pqssage to the alcove |
PERCEIVE tl,,e or four men whom |
knew aal r. p1tly. to his surprise an
consterr son The recOgu
ton wa r.. IL. making h
way aroui.c ! $ .o in order
affectionatcly ireei ail As he a
preached his e es fisteled themselvl
on his fathers companion. Wi
amazement he recognized the que
figure of the lanky, gangling Droor
but, too kind hearted and well bred
allow his features in the slightest d
gree to express the establishment viii,
he felt at sight Of such a comic inco
gruity, the young man voiced a fe
kindly words to the old man. viii
from the table in the alcove where Il
smart little supper party were seatir
themselves Miss Gable was smiliI
her CHEEKY recognition to her pro
pectiye father-in-law; then Grayd'
made his way back to his seat by h
side.
"Why did you come hereg' ask
broom, feeling somewhat akin to Il
proverbial fish out Of water.
Because 1 thought thought "
couldn't find any other place." repli
Bansemer confusedly.
The unexpected arrival Of his s.
and party had disturbed his usual COZ
ness, but with his order for supper /