Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-09-01

upon put the WuOie SITUATION before
her just as it had been suggested in
Droom's ironical remark. 1t was not
until after the question had been pass
ed upon by Mr.. and Mrs. Cable that
she reluctantly consented to visit Gray
don's father solely for the purpose Of
cleaning what information she could
regarding her parentage.
They left the next day with Elias
broom, depressed, nervous, dreading
the hour ahead of them. Neither was
in the mood to respond to the eager,
excited remarks of the old clerk. The
short railroad trip was one never TO
be forgotten; impressions, We're left in
their lives that could not be effaced
James Bansemer, shorn and striped.
was not expecting visitors. He was
surprised and angry when he was told
that visitors were waiting to see him.
For four weeks he had labored clumsi-
ly and sourly in the shoe factory of the
great prison, a hauler and carrier His
tall figure was bent with unusual toll.
his hands were sore and his heart was
full of the canker of rebellion. AL
ready in that short time his face had
taken on the look of the convict. All
the viciousness in his nature had gone
to his face and settled there. He had
the sullen. logged. patient look of the
man who has number. but no name.
The once dignified, aggressive walk
had degenerated into a SLOUGH. He
shuffied as he came to the bars where
he was to meet his first visitors. He
was not pleased. but he was curious.
Down in his heart he found a hope
that his attorney had come with good
| news. 1t was not until he was almost
| face to face with his son that he real
| lied who it was, not until then that
he felt the full force of shame, ig-
| nominy. loathing for himself.
He started back with an Involuntary
| oath and would have skunk away had
| not Graydon called ont to him-called
| out in voice full of pain and misery
| The convict's face was aShen and his
jaw hung loose With the paralysis of
dismay. His heart dropped like chunk
| of ice; his feet were as leaden weights
A look of utter despair came into his
| hard eyes as he slowly advanced to the
| bars
My God, Graydon, why did You
| come? Why did you come, hereT he
muttered. Then he caught sight of
Jane and Elias broom. His eyes drop
| ped. and his fingers twitched. TO save
| his life he could not have kept his low
er lip from trembling nor the burning
tears from his eyes. His humiliation
| was complete.
A malevolent grin was on Droom's
face. His staring blue eyes looked with
| great joy upon the shamed, beaten
| man in the stripes. The one thing that
he had longed for and cherished had
| come to pass. He had lived to see
James Bansemer utterly destroyed
even in his own eyes.
| Father. can't believe it. can't tell
| you how it hurts me- / would willingly
!, take your place If it were possible.
Forgive me for deserving you" Gray
don was saying incoherently when his
| father lifted his face suddenly, a fierce,
Mortified look of understanding in the
eyes that flashed upon Elias broom.
Even as he clasped his sons hand in
the bitterness of small joy his lips
curled into a snarl Of fury Drooms
| eyes shifted instantly, his uneasy gaze
directing itself, as usual, above the
head of its victim.
You did this,' curse your came from
the convicts livid lips. "And this girl
too! Good God, you knew 1 would
rather have died than to meet Graydon
as 1 am now. You knew it, and you
brought him here. hope you will rot
/ for this, Elias broom. She comes here
too, to gloat, to rejoice, to see how
look before my son in prison stripesl ~
He went on violently for long stretch
ending with sob of rage. Il suppose
You are satisfied" he said hoarsely to
/ broom
/ Graydon and Jane looked on in sur
prise and distress. Droom's gaze did
not swerve nor his expression change.
Father. didn't you expect me tc
Gomez" asked Graydon. Dent you
want to see me?"
i mot here. Why should / have tried
to keep you from returning to this
country? God knows how hoped
and prayed that you'd not see me here
Elias broom knew 1t. That's why be
brought you here. Don't lie to me
broom. I know itr'
What could you expect?' mum
bled broom. Down in your heart you
wanted to see him. I've done you 9
kindness
For which I'll repay you some day.
cried the prisoner, a steady look in his
eyes. Now go away, all of you! I'm
through with you. You've seen me
The girl is satisfied. Co.
Nonsense. father,' cried Graydon
visibly distressed by his fathers an
guish. ELIAS said that you wanted tt
see us. Jane did not come out OF
curiosity. She is here to ask justice o.
you. She's not seeking vengeance
"T'll talk to you alone, said. tn,
prisoner shortly. "Send her away
i I've nothing to say to her or Droom
!, Jane turned and walked swift.
. away, followed by broom. who rubbe,
] his long fingers together and tried t
look sympathetic. The Interview tina
ensued between father and son wa
\