The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-12-05

west side ought to be as we'll represent
ed as the north side. Property interests
is what we need in the council.
That's
81 don't care to hear a political
speech, boy. Are you busy this after
noonT"
mo. l wouldn't be here If / was"
"Then get up there and hand those
books down to me. Nobody loafs in
this office today"
"Well, doggone, If that isn't the limit!
All right. Don't get mad. I'll do it."
The young gentleman leisurely ascend
ed to the top Of the stepladder and fell
into line under the lash.
young Mr.. Graydon Bansemer will
be here this afternoon" said broom.
81 want to get things cleaned up a bit
beforehand"
How does he feel about his father?'
"He doesn't know about him, Pm
afraid"
"Geel Well, it'll jar him a bit, won't
itY"
The Office door was opened suddenly,
and a tall young man strobe into the
room, only to stop aghast at the sight
before him. Droom's lank figure swayed
uncertainty and his eyes wavered.
whats all thisF" cried Graydon,
dropping his bag and coming toward
the old man, his hand outstretched.
Droom's clammy fingers rested life
!essly in the warm clasp.
How are you, Graydon? Pm-I'm
very glad to see you. You are looking
well. Oh, this? We've are moving"
said the old man. The helpers looked
on with interest. "Come into the back
Office. 1t isn't so torn up. l didn't
expect you so soon. They said it was
twenty-four hours late. Well, well.
how are you, my boyT
"I'm quite well again, Elias. Hard
siege Of it, l tell you. Moving, eh?
What's that for?"
"Never mind those books, Eddie.
Thank you for helping me. Come in
some other time. You fellows-I mean
you-pack the rest of these, and then
I'll tell you what to do next. Come in,
Graydon."
Eddie Deever took his departure,
deeply insulted because he had not
been introduced to the newcome
Graydon, somewhat bewildered, fol-
lowed broom into his fathers consul
tation room. He looked around in
quiringly.
"Where is father7 I telegraphed to
him."
An incomprehenslble grin came into
Droom's face. He twirled the nm
brella in his fingers a moment before
replying. His glance at the closed
door was no more significant than his
lowered tones.
1T didn't go very well with him,
Graydon, He isn't here any more"
what do you meanT'
81 mean the trial. There was a trial,
you see. Haven't you heard anythingT'
"Trial? He-he was arrestedT' came
numbly from the young mans lips.
81 can't mince matters, Graydon. I'll
get it over as quickly as possible. Your
father was tried for blackmail and was
convicted. He is in-he's in the peni-
tertiary"
The sons face became absolutely
bloodless. His eyes were full OF cOm-
~prehension and horror, and his body
stlffened as If he were turning to stone,
The word penitentiary fell slowly, me-
chanically, from his lips. He looked
into Droom's eyes, hoping 1t might be
a joke of the calloused old clerk.
"You-it-it can't be true" he muir
INJURED. his trembling hands going to
his temples,
eyes, my boy, 1t is true. | didn't
write to you about it because | wanted
to put it off as long as l could. It's for
five years."
God" burst from the wretched son.
A wave Of shame and grief sent the
tears flooding to his eyes. Poor old
dadF' He turned and walked to the
window, his shoulders heaving. broom
stood silent for a long time, watching
Bansemer's son, pity and triumph in
his face.
do you want to hear about ltF' he
asked at last. Graydon's head was bent
In assent.
ut came the day after you left Chi.
cago with the recruits. l knew you
would not read the newspapers. So did
he. Harbert swore out the papers, and
he was arrested here in this office. l
believe he would have killed himself if
he had been given time. His revolver
was-er-not loaded. Before the officers
came he discharged me. l was at liber-
ty to go or to testify against him. did
neither. OF curse l was arrested, but
they could only prove that | was a
clerk who knew absolutely nothing
about the inside workings of the Office.
| offered to go ON his bond, but he
would not have me. He made some ar
rangement through his attorney, and
bail was secured. In spite Of the fact
that he was charged with crime he in
sisted on keeping these offices and try
Ing to do business. 1t wasn't because
he needed money, Graydon, but be-
cause he wanted to lead an honest life,
he said. He has a great deal Of money,
| lof mn fotI vou Tho orond ttrv fndfof.