The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-11-21

TOO. But | haven't Tod you the WORST
Mother says ! am being absolutely
spoiled out here in Manila. and she
says fatty that she's going to take me
back to the States. Isn't It awful|
Back to the fellow in New York;
smiled Jane e~ncouragingly.
Ethel thought for a moment. and a
dear little smile came into her troubled
eyes.
81 hope he hasn't gone and fallen in
love rith Some other girl" she said.
1t was true, as Jane soon learned,
that Mrs. Hardin had concluded to re-
turn to the United States with Ethel.
James aunt had grown UNNECESSARILY
tired Of Mainland perhaps a little
more tired Of the colonel. 1t was she
who aroused the %colouels antipathy to
little Lieutenant Soper. She dwelt
upon the dire misfortune that was pos
sible if Ethel continued to bask in the
society of those young ninnies." The
colonel developed a towering rage and
a great fear that Ethel might become
fatally contaminated before she could
be whisked off of the island. 1t was
decided that Mrs. Hardin and Ethel
should return to the United States
soon after the first of March to take
up their residence in New York city.
Mother wants to be a soldiers
widow-on parole" shifted Ethel, al
most audibly enough for her fathers
ears.
Mrs. Hardin at once informed Jane
that she was expected to return with
them. She demurred at first, purely
for the sake Of appearances, but in the
end agreed to tender her resignation to
the Red Cross society. The knowledge
that Graydon Bansemer's discharge
was soon forthcoming and that he in
tended to return to America in the
spring had more to do with this deci-
sion than she was willing to admit.
She therefore announced her ambition
to become a trained nurse and gave no
heed to Mrs. Harbin's insinuating
smile.
Letters of late from Mrs. Gable had
been urging her to return to Chicago.
David Gable was far from we'll, break
ing fast. and he was wearing out his
heart in silent longing for her return.
He wrote to her himself that he ex-
pected to retire from active business
early in the year and that his time and
fortune from that day on would be de-
voted to his family. re held out at
tractive visions Of travel, Of residence
abroad. of endless pleasure which they
could enjoy together
Jane had written 70 them that she
would not live in Chicago-ary place
else in the world. she said-au they
understood. There waS no w1ul OF
James Banyemer In an these r.ters.
She was always daugA,er TO lhe,. and
they were father AID muthpr
Graydon BanSemer one Cay o. lived
three letters, all from Chicagl He
knew the handwriting ON the envelope
Of each. Three men had writ u to
him-his father. Elias broom al Rig
, by. A dark scowl can't over b face
as he looked at the Rigby enyel 2e. 1t
was the first letter that he opened and
e read. Jane was sitting near by catch
ing the expression on his face.
ITS from Rigby," he said rs he
finished.
what does he sayr she asked anx-
r iously.
He says he is my devoted friend
for life" replied Graydon bitterly. 81
cannot forget, though, Jane. He is not
the sort Of friend l want"
"He thought it was for the best,
Graydon."
"Yes. and he may have thought he
was my friend too. This letter says as
much. But l like an enemy better,
t dear. You know what to expect Of an
enemy at all times. Here's one from
? Elias Droom-old Elias" broom
scrawled a few words Of cheer to the
young soldier, urging him not to re-
enlist, but to come home at the end OF
his two years. He inclosed a letter
from Mr.. Ci0gg, in which that gentle
man promised to put Graydon in
charge Of their New York Office IL he
J. would take the place. This news sent
his spirits bounding, Tears Of a CRATE
e fulness he never expected to fee
5 sprang to his eyes. James happiness
t was Il reflection of his own
3 James Bansemer's letter was not reat
t aloud to Jane. When he had finished
the perusal of the long epistle he fold
ed it and stuck ii away in his pocket
: His eyes seemed a bit wistful and hi,
face drawn, but there was no word t
let her know what had been written BY
the man who had denounced her.
"He is WELL" was all he said. IL,
did not tell her that his father Ia,
/ urged him to 30 into business in tn
Philippines, saying that he would pre-
vide ample means with which to begi
and carry on any enterprise he care
lie to exploit. One paragraph cut Graydo.
TO the quick:
< I'D advise you to steer clear Of Chi
IS cago. IL they don't kill you In the Phi.
ippines you're better or there. The
hate us here"
N
.o ITO Re Continued