Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-23

daughter to marry him. In this in
stance she could not cay him nay. The
venom of. James Banse,ner in that
event would have no measure of pity.
In her heart she prayed that death
might come TO her aid in the destrUc-
ton of James Bansener
1t was not until she heard GraydOn
coming up the stairs that the solution
flashed into her brain. If Jane became
the wife Of this cherished son James
Bansemer's power was gone. His lips
wolld be scaled forever She laughed
aloud in the frenzy of hope She
laughed TO think what fool she would
have been to forbid the marriage. The
marriage? Her salvation, Jane found
her almost hysterical. trembling like
Il leaf. She was obliged to confess
that she had heard part of their CONVEX
sation below in order to account for
her manner. When Jane confided to
her that she had promised to marry
Graydon in September-or June-she
urged her to avoid a long engagement.
She could say no more than that.
Now she sat limp before The two
men, a wan smile straying from one
to the other. exhausted by her sup
pressed emotions. Suddenly. without a
word, she held out her hand to Gray
don. In her deepest soul she loved
this manly, strong hearted young fell
low. She knew. after all, he was wor-
thy of the best woman in the land.
t"You know cried Graydon, clasp
ing her hand, his eyes glistening. Jane
has told you? And you-you think me
worthy
Yes, Graydon-you are worthy"
She looked long into his eyes, search
ing for trace OF the malevoience that
glowed in those of his father. They
were fair and honest and sweet, and
she smiled to herself. She wondered
what his mother had been like.
"Then | may have herr" he cried.
She looked up at her husband, and he
nodded his head.
Our little girl he murmured 1t
all came back to her like flash. Her
deception, her imposition, her years of
steaIth-and she shuddered. Her hand
trembled, and her eyes grew wide with
repugnance as they turned again upon
Graydon Bansemer Both men drew
back in amazement
''Oh, no; it cannot, cannot ber' she
moaned. without taking her eyes from
Gray don'S face. In the same instant
she recovered herself and craved his
pardon. Il am distressed-it is so hard
to give her up, Graydon," she painted
smiling again. The thought had come
suddenly to her that James Bansemer
had very strong purpose in letting
his son marry Jane Gable. She never
had ceased to believe that Bansemer
knew the parents of the child she had
adopted. 1t had dawned upon her in
| the flash of that moment that the mar
riage might mean great deal to this
calculating father David, won't you
leave us for few minutes? There is
something want TO say to GraEdon."
David Gable hesitated for IN instant
and then slowly left the room. closing
| the door behind him. He was strange
| ~ puzzled OYER that momentary eXposi
| ton of emotion on the part of his wife
| He was man of the world. and he
knew its vices from the dregs up, bu
| 1t was many days before the startlm:
suspicion struck in TO explain her TN
called for display of feeling. 1t did no
| strike in until after he noticed tina
James Bansemer was paying marked
attention to his wife.
Left alone with Graydon. Mrs. Cabl,
nervousiy hurried to the point. Sh,
was determined to satisfy herself tina
the son did not share her secret witt
his father
Does your father know that yo
| want 10 marry Jane?" she asked.
10 "Of course-er-I- mean he suspects
Mrs. Gable. He has teased me not
little. you know. I'm going to tell hin
tonight
"He has not known Jane very Ions
you know"
Long enough to admire her abov
all others. He has often told me tina
she is the finest girl he's ever met. OIL
I'm sure father will be pleased, Mr..
Cable
II met your father in New York, G
course-years ago. l presume he ha
told you"
| Il think not. oh. yes; l believe h
did tell me after we met you at Hoo
ley's that night. He had never see
Mr.. Cable
Nor Jane, / dare say
"oh. no! i knew lane long befor
dad eyer laid eyes on her,, The loo