Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-11-12

the authorities are willing that you
should have her? There is lot Of red
tape about such matters. madam"
81 thought perhaps you could manage
It for me, Mr.. Bansemer," she said
plaintively. They say you never fail
at anything you undertake." He was
not sure there was compliment In her
remark, so he treated 1t with indiffer-
ence.
I'm afraid l can't help you" The
tone was final.
Cant you tell me how I'll have to
proceed? ! must adopt the child, sir,
one way or another" Her manner was
more subdued, and there was a touch
of suppIfcation in her voice.
"Oh, you go into the proper court and
make application. that's ALL" he volun-
teered carelcssly. 1.-THE judge will do
the rest Does your husband approve
of the plans?"
"He doesn't know anything about it."
whats thatT'
IL can't tell him. 1t would spoil ev-
erything"
my dear madam, | don't believe
understand you quite clearly. You
want to adopt the child and keep the
matter dark so far as your husband is
concerned? May inquire the reason"
Bansemer naturally was interested by
this time.
"If you have time to listen, I'd like
to tell you how 1t all comes about. 1t
won't take long. l want some one to
tell me just what to do, and I'll pay
for the advice, If 1t isn't too expensive.
I'm very poor, Mr.. Bansemer. Per-
haps you won't care to help me after
you know that l can't afford to pay
very much"
"We'll see about that later" he said
brusquely. go ahead with the story"
The young woman hesitated, glanced
nervously at her sister as IL for sup
lawyer with fash Of determination In
her dark eyes. AS she proceeded Banse-
mer silently and somewhat disdainfully
made a study of the speaker. He con-
cluded that she was scarcely Of COM
mon origin and was the possessor of
superficial education that had been en-
larged by conceitedness. Furthermore,
she was a person of selfish instincts,
| but without the usual cruel impulses.
| There was little, If any, sign of true re-
finement in the features, and yet there
was a strange strength of purpose that
| puzzled him. AS her story progressed
he solved the puzzle. She had the
strength to carry out a purpose that
might further her own personal inter
ests, but not the will to endure sacri-
fee for the sake of another. Her sis
| ter was larger and possessed a reserve
that might have been mistaken for
deepness. He felt that she was hardly
in sympathy with the motives of the
younger, more volatile woman.
"My husband Is railroad engineer
and is ten years older than l." the mar
rator said in the beginning. 81 wasn't
quite nineteen when we were married,
two years ago. For some time we got
along all right; then we began to quar-
rel. He commenced to-
"Mr. Bansemer is In hurry, Fam"
broke In the older sister sharply, and
then, repeating the lawyers words.
BE as brief as possible"
There was world of reproach in the
look which greeted the speaker. Evil
IDENTITY 1t was a grievous disappoint-
ment not to be allowed to linger over
the details.
WELL" she continued half pettishly,
ut all ended by his leaving home, job
and everything. l had told him that
was going to apply for divorce. For
three months never heard from him."
Did you apply for divorced" asked
the lawyer, sitting yawn.
mo. sir, | did not although he did
nothing toward my support" The
woman could not resist a slightly CO.
| quettish attempt to enlist Bansemers
sympathy. II obtained work at St
Luke's Hospital For Foundlings and
after that as governess But once
week | went back to the asylum to
see the little ones. One day they
brought in beautifully dressed baby
girl She was found on doorstep,
ard In the basket was note asking
I that she be well cared for With II
was hundred dollar bill The moment
saw the little thing fell In love
with her. made application. and they
gave me the child with the under
standing that was to adopt IT, You
see, ] was lonely had been livin.
| alone for -'tne or ten months The au-
1 thorities knew nothing of my trouble
with Mr.. Cable-thats my husband
David Gable. The child was about 4
month cid when | took her TO his
mother. whom hadn't seen in months
F, | told Mrs. Cable that she was mine.
The dear old lady believed me: half
the battle was won" She paused out
OF breath. her face full of excitement.
"And thenT" he asked. once more IN
/ terested
I'VE both wrote to David asking him
to come home to his wife and baby"
She looked away grii.lly. For full
minute Bansemer did rot speak
''The resultT' he demanded.
"IIe came back last month"
docs he know the TRUTH"
mo. and with Gods help he never
shah. It's my only saivaiionw she ex-
claimed eriotionalIy. "iIe thinks she
! Is his baby and-and"- The tears
! were on her cheeks now IL v;orsh}D