Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-08-18

sible, presented himself to Mr.. Clegg
at 10 O'Clock Without hesitation he
announced his intention to give up his
place in the office. All argument put
forth by his old friend and employer
went for naught The cause of his ac-
ton was not discussed, but it was I'M
derstood.
eff you ever want to come back to
US, Graydon, we will welcome you
with open arms. 1t isn't as bad as
you think
You don't understand, Mr.. Clegg,"
was all that Graydon could say.
Then he hurried off to face his ia
Their
James Bansemer, haggard from loss
of sleep and from fury over the aliena-
ton OF his son, together with the fear
of what the day might bring, was pac-
| ing the floor of his private office.
| broom had eased his mind but little
| in regard TO his son. When he heard
| Graydon's voice in the outer room his
| face frightened, and he took several
quick steps toward the door. He
checked himself suddenly with the re-
membrance that his son had turned
against him the night before, and his
| face hardened.
Graydon found him standing stern
and unfriendly before the steam radi-
| ator In the darkest corner of the room.
| his hands behind his back. The young
man pumped down heavily in his ia
| theirs desk chair.
"Why didn't you come home last
nightf' demanded the other.
Il hated the thought of it," he an
swered dejectedly.
you've listened to their side of the
story. You're a splendid son, you are"'
sneered the father.
There is nothing base and unprin-
cipled in their side of the story. They
have tried to shield her. They have
never harmed her. But you. Why.
father, you've blighted her life for
ever. They were going to tell her in Il
day or so, and they could have made
it easy for her Not like this. Why.
in heavens name, did you strike her
like that? Shes-she's the talk of the
town. She's ostracised. that's what
she is. and she's the best girl that ever
livedv'
"Oh. you think they would have told
her, Ell? No! They would have let her
marry
We'll. and what was your position
Why were you so considerable up TO
last night? If you knew, why did you
let me go on so blindly? The truth is,
father. if you must have it, you have
acted like scoundrel."
James Bansemer glared at his son
with murder in his eyes.
II wouldn't have believed the Other
things they say of you if l hadn't this
to break down my faith. l heard this
with my own ears. 1t was too con
temptible to forget in 4 lifetime. i die
not come here to discuss 1t with you
The thing is done. | came here to tel
you that l am going to leave Chicago
You won't go, so l will" BanSemel
. still glared at him, but there wa:
amaZement mingling with rage in hi:
eyes Il can't look a soul in the face
l am ashamed to meet the Cables
Good Lord, I'm afraid even to think o.
Jane"
Il suppose you-you would MARI!
her, like a fool, even now" mutterel
the father
Marry her? OF course / would.
love her more than ever I'd give IN!
life for her; I'd give my soul to cas-,
the pain you have thrust upon her
But it's over between us. Don't let gu
affairs worry you. She has ended it
l don't blame her How could sh,
marry your son? l have hoped that
might not be your son, after all"
Bansemer leaned heavily against til,
, radiator, gasping for breath. Then h
staggered to the couch and dropped
upon it. moaning.
"Graydon, Graydon. Don't say that
; Don't! I'll make everything right II
try to undo it ALL My boy. you are tn
only thing on earth l love. I've beel
heartlesS to all the rest of the world
but love you. Don't turn against me-
The son stood looking at him in dul
wonder. His heart was touched H
: had not thought that this stern MAJ
could weep; he began to see the miser
that was breaking him.
Dad. don't do that he said, start
ing toward him. Pm sorry. I'm sol
: ~ for you"
Bansemer leaped to his feet, hi
! mood changing like a flash.
Il don't want your pity. / wan
your love and loyalty. | didn't mea
; to be weak. VIII you leave Chicag
with me? 1 must go. Well go a
once-anywhere, only together W
! can escape If we start now. Gomez
Il won't go that way!' exclaime
Graydon. Not like a criminalr'
"No? You won't?" There was n
answer. "Then there's nothing NOR
: to say. Go! Leave me alone. / ha
prayed that you might not have bee
like this. Go! l have important bus
II ness to attend to at once" He cas-
his gaze toward the drawer in whic
7. the pistol lay. 81 don't expect to Sc
= you again. Take this message to th
e Gables. Say that l am the only Ii,
o ing soul who knows the names of tina
L girls father and mother. God alon
can drag them from mev'
= Graydon was silent, stunned, bewi
u r.,