The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-08-25


Cable. Tell the waiter III pay for 1t,
Graydon. This Is a swell place, isn't
it. Miss Cable? I've never been in
Europe. but they say they can't touch
our restaurants over there. Get oys-
tiers. Graydon."
by Jove, Elias, you are giving US
a treat" laughed Graydon. The old
mans mood had changed suddenly.
He was beaming in his effort to be
agreeable. A glance around the room
had convinced him that the prettiest
woman there was sitting at his table.
He felt new sense Of pride
Il am proud of myself" said broom,
and he meant 1t.
It's very good Of you to ask me to
come, Mr.. Droom." said Jane, her
bright eyes meeting his before they
could lift themselves into the custo-
mary stare above her head
I'm not SO sure about that" said
Elias. From time to time he glanced
uneasily toward a table at his left 1t
was set for six persons, none of whom
had arrived. Il trust 1t will not be
the last time you will honor me. Miss
Gable. 1 am getting very hospitable
in my old age. II you don't mind,
Graydon, l won't drink this cocktail.
l may take the champagne. I'm quite
a teetotaler, you see. Milk. always.
BY the way, Graydon," he said, turn
ing suddenly to the young man, It
suppose you've led her to believe that
l had a motive in asking her to dine
tonight mean other than the pleas
ure 1t would give to me-"
II rather thought something Of
the Sort" stammered Graydon.
"Well, there is a motive. I've decid-
ed at last to tell all l knew. Don't
look like that. Miss Gable. You'll at
tract attention. Calm yourself. 1t
will be some time before the story is
muC1 w1ec1Jr you gc- any great
satisfaction out of it, although it may
clear things up bit for you. If you've
been hoping that your father and
mother-well, we'll take our time.
Here are the oysters. Oysters make
me think of your father. Graydon.
Don't choke, my boy" he chuckled as
Graydon stiffened quickly. HE had
woman arrested at her own dinner
party one night-right over there in
Fifth avenue too. Search warrant and
all that. The oysters were being
served when the papers were served.
All, he was great man for eff
fective revenge. She had dared him,
you see. Did you ever hear of the
other time when he permitted an ig
norant host to invite two deadly enc
mics to the same dinner? One fellow
had robbed the other fellow of his
WIFE Terrible scandal. Your father
knew that they expected to kill one
another on sight. And yet when the
host told him whom he expected to
invite he let him ask the two men. He
told me about it afterward. 1t amused
him. Everybody but the host knew Of
the row, and there was panic in the
dra wing room"
Good Lord" gasped Graydon, help
lessly pushing the oysters away, why
are you telling me this?"
"Oh, it was a great joke. It's a good
dinner story. The joke comes in at the
end. Both those fellows got tight and
went home with their arms about one
another. By the way, Graydon, what
do you hear from your father"
Graydon looked uncomfortably at
Jane, whose face was set with distress.
ELIAS, you've got no right to- be-
gan the young man coldly.
IT beg your pardon If I've offended"
said broom abjectly. IL don't know
the etiquette Of small talk. Forgive
me. 1 was interested; that was all"
ut may interest you to know that I
had a long talk with Mr.. Clegg this
afternoon. He says there is a move
ment on foot to secure a pardon for
father. Father hasn't asked any one
to intercede. It is known that he will
go to England as soon as he is released.
That's an inducement, you see," he
said bitterly.
Droom's face turned a frozen white
His steely eyes took on a peculiar
glaze, and his hand grasped his leg as
if it were a wise intended to hold him
in his chair.
81 haven't told you about 1t, Jane %
went on Graydon. Mr. Clegg has seen
father, and he says he is Indifferent
about it.. He intends to leave the coun-
try in any event. l am going to write
to him tonight, asking him to let them
apply for a pardon. 1t may save him
from three years more Of servitude.
Mr., Clegg is sure he can get his re-
lease. What's the matter. Elias"
The old clerks body had stiffened,
and the look on his face was something
horrible to behold. Terror was visible
in every lineament. His companions
started from their chairs in alarm.
With mighty effort the old man sue
ceeded in regaining a semblance of self
control. His body relaxed, and his jaw
dropped. His voice was trembling and
weak as he responded, an apologize
grin on his face.
"Nothing-nothing at all. A momen-
tary pain. Don't mind me. Don't mind
me-" he mumbled. Il have them often
1 think it's my heart. What were you
saying, Graydon? Oh, yes. the pardon.
II hope you'll mention me in writing
to your father. Tell him hope toto
see him IL he comes to New York
II don't believe he likes you, Elias"
said Graydon, half jestingly.
hot ho1 Ha ~p n