The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-08-05
CHAPTER XIII.

| IL committed senseless
blunder came to him.
Good heavens he muttered. stop
ping short. What a fool I'm getting
to be-meeting old Elias, in a place like
this. The theater crowds-every body
In town will be here by II! Curse me,
for a hopeless ass. l must get him
away at oncer
Grumbling at himself, he passed into
the restaurant. Gabe offered him the
choice Of various tables. He selected
one which commanded a view of the
entrances and ordered a perfunctory
Scotch" Nervous and anxious, he
was more troubled than he cared to
admit even to himself. Fortunately
there were not many people in the
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 large party. The clock, back
of the cigar stand, said it was five
minutes after IL.
Bansemer impatiently watched the
two 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 can get my check"
he was saying, at the same time beck
oning to waiter, well move out
of this. 1t will be crowded in 1
Cores will be better. Here, waiter,
my check! I'm in a hurry! The
devil.'
AS the exclamation burst from his
lips there came down the narrow steps
and through a door quickly thrown
open by waiter a number of gay,
fashionably dressed people, all smiling
and trembling with the cold. Immedi-
ately this party attracted the attention
of the room. Walters rushed hither
and thither relieving the ladies Of their
costly lace and fur wraps and the men
of their heavy overcoatS. OF the ex-
pected theater corners these were the
first to arrive, but presently others fol-
lowed, and soon the quiet cafe Of the
early evening became transformed into
one of hustle and excitement by the
eager, animated throng. With dismay
Bansemer noticed that those to whom
his attention had been attracted were
blocking his way to the doors. Es-
cape was out of the question. Reluc-
family he returned to his seat and or
dered the clerk to take the one OBJ
posite him. Then scanning the party
its passage to the alcove he
perceived three or four men whom he
knew and presently, to his surprise and
his son. The recogni-
ton was mutual, Graydon making his
way around small table in order to
affectionately greet him. AS he ap-
preached his eyes fastened themselves
on his fathers companion With
a mazement he recognized the queer
figure of the lanky, gangling broom;
but, too kind hearted and well bred to
allow bis features in the slightest de-
gree to express the establishment which
gruity. the young man voiced a few
kindly words to the old man, while
from the table in the alcove where the
smart little supper party were seating
themselves Miss Cable was smiling
her CHEEKY recognition to her pros
pective father-in-law; then Graydon
made his way back to his seat by her
side.
why did you come here" asked
broom, feeling somewhat akin to the
proverbial fish out of water.
Because I thought thought you
couldn't find any other place." replied
Bansemer confusedly.
The unexpected arrival of his son
and party had disturbed his usual cool
ness, but with his order for supper his