Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-30

jects to dictate to him. Craft and CO.
ereion always had been his ally. Craft
could not win a woman's heart, but |
coercion might crush it into submis-
sion. 1t was not like James Banse-
mer to play waiting game after 1t
had been fairly started.
"Now listen to me" he said distinct
ly. "You cannot afford to talk ike
that. You cannot afford to make an
enemy of me- / mean what r.
What would you do?" she cried.
you have promised that nothing shall
happen to mar the lives OF our chill
dren. You have given me your pledge.
Is 1t worthless? Is it,
81 wouldn't speak so loud If were
you," said he slowly. 1.-The walls have
ears. You have much to lose if ears
other than those in the wall should
hear what could be said. 1t would
mean disaster. / know at least that
you do not love David Cable
what! II worship my husband!'
she cried, her eyes flashing, her bosom
heaving. II love him better than any
thing else in all the world. How dare
you say that to me.'
Control yourself" he cautioned
calmly. Permit me to say you love
the position he has given you. You
love the pedestal on which you stand
SO insecurity. You would rather hear
his curse than to see the hand of So
cial ostracism raised against you.
| Wait! A word from me and not only
David Cable, but the whole world
| would turn against you
81 have committed no crime" she
hared back at him. Il have deceived
my husband, but / have not dishon-
ored him. Tell the world everything,
| If you will
at would be luscious tale" he said,
with an evil laugh. 1.-The world, which
is wicked, might forget the fact that
Jane is not Dayid's daughter, but Da-
vid would not forget that she is yours"
what do you mean?' starting from
her chair. 'She is not my child. You.
know she isn't. You know the entire
story. You
II only know that you brought her
to me and that 1 did you service.
Don't ask me to be brutal and say
more" She sank back and glared at
] him like a helpless, wounded thing,
the full force of his threat rushing in
upon her.
| "You-you couldn't do that" she
whispered TREMENDOUSLY.
II could, but I don't see why 1
should" he said, leaning closer to her
shrinking figure.
"You know it isn't true" family.
81 only know that / am trying to
save you from calamity"
"Oh, what beast you arer' she
cried, springing to her feet. go! L
defy you. Do and say what you Will!
Only gor'
He rose calmly, satisfied smile on
his face.
81 shall of course first of all forbid
my son to marry the young woman.
1t will be necessary fer me to explain
the reason to Mr.. Cable. am sorry to
have distressed you. Really 1 had ex-
pected quite different evening after
your invitation. You can't blame me
for misunderstanding your motive in
asking me to come here when you. 'ex-
pected to be utterly alone" His laugh
was sneer.
"Poor-poor little Janep' murmured
the harassed woman, clasping her
hands over her eyes. Then suddenly
she cried out. what devil you are
to barter with your sons happiness
'I'll not mince matters" he said
; harshly. You and must understand
| al IT. H.
! everything rests with you. Call me @
beast if you like. AS a beast I car
destroy you. and WILL"
: You forget that can go to my hus
band and tell him everything. He viii
> hate me, but he will believe me-" She
said, facing him once more.
1.-THE world will believe me-" h,
4. scoffed.
Not after tell the world that yor
: tried to blackmail me; that you have
, demanded $4,000"
> But 1 haven't made such a de
I mand"
81 can swear that you have" she
, cried triumphantly. He glared at hel
for moment his past coming w
4 from behind with rush that left hin
|, nothing to stand on.
II am willing to run the risk Of
scandal IL you are, my DEAR" he sale
! after moment, his hands clinchet
behind him. 1T will be very costly
! You have much to lose"
Il think" she said shrewdly, guess
ing his weakness even as he saw It
that we can talk sensibly of the stu
! alton from now on. / am not afraid Of
!, you.''
t He looked at her steadily for mo
, ment, reading her thoughts, seeing he
trembling heart. Then he said dryly:
{ "I'll do nothing. for week, and ther
you'll send for me-"
The door In the vestibule opened
suddenly and some one-aye, more
t than one-came in from the outside
Mrs. Cable started to her feet ani
turned toward the library door. Ban
semer was standing close by her side
| He turned to move away as Dayif
Cable stepped to the door to look In
{ Cables coat collar was about his ears
, and he was removing his gloves. Fol