The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-10-31

Jane"
"I suppose you-you would marry
her. like a fool, even now" muttered
the father.
Marry her? or course / would. |
love her more than ever. I'd give my
life for her; I'd give my soul to ease
the pain you have thrust upon her.
But it's over between US. Don't let our
affairs worry you. She has ended it
/ don't blame her. How could she
marry your son? l have hoped that
might not be your son, after ALL"
Bansemer leaned heavily against The
radiator, gasping for breath. Then he
staggered to the couch and dropped
upon it, moaning.
'Graydon, Graydon! Don't say that!
Don't! I'll make everything right. I'll
try to undo 1t all! My boy, you are the
only thing on earth | love. I've been
heartless to all the rest Of the world,
but l love you. Don't turn against me-
The son stood looking at him in dull
wonder. His heart was touched. He
had not thought that this stern mar
could weep; he began to see the misery
that was breaking him.
Dad, don't do that" he said, start
ing toward him. I'm sorry. I'm sor-
ry for you"
Bansemer leaped to his feet, his
mood changing like a flash.
Il don't want your pity. | want
your love and loyalty. l didn't mean
to be weak. win you leave Chicago
with me? l must go. Wen go at
once-anywhere, only together. We
can escape If we start now. Conner
81 won't go that wayr exclaimed
Graydon. mot like a criminal!'
"No? You won'tY" There was nc
answer. "Then there's nothing more
to say. Go! Leave me alone. l had
prayed that you might not have beer
like this. Go! l have important bust
ness to attend to at once" He cas-
his gaze toward the drawer in which
the pistol lay. 81 don't expect to SCI
you again. Take this message to thu
Gables, Say that l I'm the only liv
ing soul who knows the names of tina
girls father and mother. God alon'
can drag them from meg'
Graydon was silent, stunned, Devil
dered. His father was trembling be
fore him, and he opened his lips to Ut
ter the question that meant so niue.
if the answe came,
Don't ask mer' cried Bansemel
"You would be the last I'd tell"
81 don't believe you known erie
Graydon.
, "Ah, you think I'll tell your tr
: nmphantly
) 81 don't want to know" He Sc
down, his moody gaze upon his fathe
u Neither spoke for many minutes. Ne
Their had the courage. James BansemC
! finally started up with a quick loo
at the door. broom was speaking
some one In the outer office.
go now" he said harshly. 81 wal
u to be alone"
u 'Father, are you-are you afraid
these c~harges?' His father laughe
shortly and extended his hand to Il
. young man.
: 'Don't worry about me. They can
= down James Bansemer. You may lea7
Chicago III stay! Goodby, Graydon
!, "Goodby dad"
They shook hands without dinchin
: and the young man left the room. c
O the threshold the father called aft
II him:
$ where do you expect to go?"
81 don't know"
E" broom was talking to a youth wi
held Il notebook in his hand and wi
appeared frightened and embarrasse
Graydon shook hands with the o
,s man. DrooLt followed him into t
n. hall.
r. "If you ever need a friend, Ora
q. don," he said in a low voice, "call
q me. If I'm not in jail, III help you
10 Half an hour later Graydon rang t
Gables doorbell.
is 'Miss Jane is not seeing any n
al day, sir" said the servant.
[e Say that l must see her" protest
e. the young man.. "Tm going away
ID night"
lis $50 is she. sir"
"Where?"
rn 81 don't know, sir. California, me
IL than likely. Mrs. Cable and she v
N. be gone for some time"
NC "Did she tell you not to admit me
"a he asked, white faced and calm.
ayes, sir. Nobody, sir"
.st He turned down the steps and wa
ed away.
m That afternoon he enlisted and
following morning was going we
he ward with a party Of recruits, boz
~ eventually for service with the I
ulars in the Philippines.
in -~
!. ISL