Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-08-11

to injure her in any shape or form.
Then, when 1 go after him-Graydon
or no Grayaon-he'll know that there
is such place as hell,
'Be rational, David. Let us take our
time and think well. dear. l can't
bear the thought of the story that will
so out concerning mellow l deceived
you about Jane for years and years.
What will people think Of me? What
will they say?" she almost walled.
Frances" said he, his voice tense
and earnest, "that is between you and
me. intend to say to the world. II
occasion demands. that 1 have known
from the first that Jane was not our
child That will be-
"Oh. David, you can't say that" she
cried joyously.
81 shall say it. dear old partner. !
shall say that you took her from the
asylum with my consent. There is
only James Bansemer to call me q
liar, and he will not darer
"That old man broom, David-his
clerk. The man who saved me-he
knows"
"He is In the boat with his master.
He did save you, though. I'll spare
him much for that. And have more
to fear from him than you think.
Frances, l am sure he saw me night
before last down there at the sea
wall. He knows, 1 am morally GER
tain, that you were not attacked by
robber."
But, David, 1 was robbed. Ny
rings and my pendant were taken by
some one. If broom was the first man
at my side-after you-then he must
have taken them"
II can't charge him with the theft"
groared Cable. HE saved your life
and he might ruin mine. 1 would give
anything / have to know just how
much he saw of the affair 1 can't ac-
count for his presence there. 1t seems
| like fate"
ut is impossible for him to accuse
you, David
1T is not impossible, I'm afraid.
He may have seen me plainly
But 1 have described my assailant
to the police. You do not answer the
description in any particular
! In the next ten minutes the nurse
| came in twice to caution him against
| overtaxing her nerves, politely limiting
| that he should depart at once. There
was no medicine, no nursing, no care
| that could have done her so much
| good as this hour with her husband
at hurt me more than l can tell
you. David. when 1 saw that you We're
jealous of him. could see it growing
| in you day after day. and yet l could
not find the courage to make every
thing clear to you. oh, how could you
| have suspected me of that?"'
Because I am a man and because !
! love you enough to care what becomes
| of you. l was wrong, l am happy to
confess. Forgive me. dear. can't tell
you how terrible the last month has
| been to me. 1 can't tell you of the bit
ter thoughts L have had nor the vi
cious deeds 1 have planned. l was al
| most insane. / was not accountable.
/ l have much to pay to you in the rest
of the years that live; l have much
to pay to my own conscience, and
| also owe something to James Banse-
mer. 1 shall try to pay all these diff
| ferent debts in the coin that they call
| for
1--WE owe something, you and l.,
to Jane" said she as he arose to leave
the room
/ "A confession and more love than
ever, Frances. love her with all my
heart. When you are stronger we will
tell her that she is not our child. We
have loved her so long and so we'll
that she can't ask for better proof of
our devotion. That terrible thing at
the sea wall must remain our secret,
dear. Tomorrow shall begin pulling
James Bansemer's fangs"
He found Graydon downstairs with
Jane a sharp look into the young
mans eyes convinced him that his
questions concerning Mrs. Cable and
the latest news concerning the efforts
to take the bandit were sincere Cable
held his hand for a long time; the
firm, warm grasp was that of ain hon.
est man. AS he stepped out into the
Il night for short walk over town he
Il wondered, with great pain in bis
heart, if Graydon Bansemer would
turn from Jane when he heard the
truth concerning her.