The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-08-29

had lunched ana dined at the club
With the lawyer. At first she dreaded
the outcome Of these meetings, but as
Cables attitude toward her remained
unchanged she began to realize that
BausemeF' whatever his purpose, was
loyal.
They met at last quite informally at
Mrs. Clegg's dinner. a small and con.
geniSl AFFAIR. When the men came
INFO the drawing room after the cigars
Mrs. Cable, with not a little trepida-
ton, motioned to Mr.. Bansemer to
draw up his chair beside her.
Il have been looking forward with
pleasure to this opportunity, Mr.. Ban.
semer," she said in a |courteously acid
ulated way. ut has been SO long in
coming"
Better late than never" he returned,
with marked emphasis. Fortunately
for her the challenging significance Of
his words was quickly nullifed by the
smile with which she was almost in
stantly favored. Twenty years, | be.
lieve-it certainly came very near be-
ing never" he went on, abruptly
changing from harsh to the sweetest of
tones. No one could believe that you
you're simply WONDERFUL and added
pointedly, But your daughter is even
more beautiful, If such is possible,
than her-her mother"
Apparently the innuendo passed IN
noticed. In reality, it required all her
courage to appear calm.
How very nice Of you" she said
softly. And looking him full in the
face, Her mother thanks you for the
compliment"
1t was a brave little speech. Such
bravery would have softened a man Of
another mold-changed his purpose.
Not so with Bansemer. A sinister
CLEAN came into his eyes, and his at
tack became more brutally direct.
But the husband-has he never mis-.
trustedT"
The blow told, though her reply was
given with ripping laughter and for
the benefit Of any chance listeners.
For shame. Mr.. PaaseneT.m she
cried lightly. after dattering me so
delightfully."- you're surely not going to
spoil. 1t alp
Despite his growing annoyance. ad.
miration shone clearly from Banse-
mer's eyes. His memory carried him
back some twenty years TO the scene
in his Office. Was it possible, he was
thinking, that the charming woman
before him exercising so cleverly all
the arts Of society, as if born to the
purple, and the light hearted, frivolous
little wife Of the CentraTs engineer
were one and the same person? The
metamorphosis seemed Incredible.
Unwittlngly his manner lost some of
its aggressiveness, and the woman. per-
ceiying the altered conditions, quick
to take advantage, resolved to learn If
possible his intentions, Presently, GO
ing right to the point, she asked:
rs that extraordinary looking crea-
ture you had in your office still with
you, Mr.. Bansemer"
Extraordinary He laughed loud.
ly. He is certainly that and more.
Indeed. the English language does not
supply US with an adjective that AIDE.
quately describes the man."
The people nearest to them by this
time had moved away TO another part
of the large drawing room. Practically
the couple were by themselves. She
had been thinking for a moment, rea-
with q woman's logic that 1t
was always well to know ones enemy.
When she next spoke it was almost in
a whisper.
How much does that horrible man
know
He is not supposed to know any.
and then, with an enigmatical
smile, promptly admitted, However.
afraid that he does"
You have told him? And yet you
promised nobody should know. How
could
NY uedI NIS. CdDle, ne was not
told. If be has found out | could not
prevent his discovering the truth
through his own efforts" he interrupt,
ID in a tone more assuaging than con.
to her, and then, hitohing his
hair closer and lowering his voice a
tote, he continued: "The papers had
0 be taken out. But you must not ,
worry about him. You can depend on ,
me-" :
promise me that you will make him
4 am so fearful of that awful she
off abruptly. Her fears were
rowing too much for her, and she was
0 Imminent danger of a complete
reakdown, All the veneer with which
be had bravely commenced the inter.
had disappeared.
Bansemer e%ndeavored to soothe her
nth promises, but the poor woman
aw only his teeth in the ~reassuring
mile that he presented to her, togeth. ]
with the warnings that they were {
kelly to be observed. With the hard.
kind Of an effort she succeeded in q
ulling herself together sufficiently TO {
Id good night TO her hostess. S
Whea Mrs. Cable reached hone that |
light 1t was with "a fun realization
lat she was %irrevocably committed d