Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-21
into the custody OF these cold FLOODED

men.
They met again and again at the
homes Of mutual friends and she had
come to loathe the pressure of his hand
when it clasped hers One night he
held her hand long and firmly in his,
and while she shrank helpiessly before
him he even tenderly asked why she
had not invited him into her home. 1t
was what she had expected and feared.
Her cup of bitterness was filling rap
idly-too rapidly. His invitation to
dinner fortnight later followed
Jane Cable was radiant as she en-
tered the drawing room shortly after
the arrival of the two Bansemers.
Its quite like family party. How
splendid" she said to Graydon. with a
quick glance In the direction Of James
Bansemer and David Gable, who stood
conversing together, and withdrawing
her soft. white hand which she had
put forth to meet his in friendly clasp.
ITS too good to be true" she went on
in happy. spontaneous. almost con-
fiding manner.
The two fathers looked on in amused
silence, the one full of admiration and
pride for the clean, vigorous manhood
of his son awaiting to receive welcome
from the adorable Jane; the other, long
since conscious of the splendid beauty
of his daughter. mentally declaring that
she never had appeared SO we'll as
when standing beside this gallant fig
ure.
Other guests arrived before Mrs. Ca
BILE made her appearance in the draw
ing room. She had taken more time
than usual with her toilet 1t was i'm
possible for her to hide the fact that
the strain was telling on her percepti-
bly,. The face that looked back into
her eyes from the mirror on her dress
ing table was not the fresh, warm one
that had needed so little care a few
short months before. There was a
heaviness about the eyes. and there
were strange, persistent lines gather
ing under the soft, white tissues of her
skin. But when she at last stepped
into the presence of her guests, with
ample apologies for her hardness, she
was the picture of life and nerve. So
much for the excellent resources of her
will.
Bansemer was the last to present
himself for her welcome, lingering in
the background until the others had
passed.
I'm SO glad you could come. In
deed, it's a pleasure to- She spoke
clearly and distinctly as she extend
ed her hand, but as she looked square
ly into his eyes she thought him the
ug!iest man she ever had seen. Every
other woman in the party was saying
to herself that James Bansemer was
strikingly handsome.
Most pleasures come late in life to
some of US" he returned CALAMITY, and
even Graydon Bansemer wished that
he could have said 1t.
Your father is perfect dear" Jane
said to him softly. 'It was not what
he said just then that pleased me, but
what he left unsaid."
Fathers no end of a good fellow,
Jane. I'm glad you admire him."
You are not bit like him." she
said reflectively.
Thanks" he exclaimed. "You are
not very fiattering."
But you are different sort of
good fellow; that's what / mean. Don't
be absurd" she cried in some little
confusion.
I'm like my mother, they say,
| though l don't remember her at ALL"
"Oh, how terrible it must be never
to have known ones motherr said she
tenderly.
''Or ones father" added James Ban
| semer, who was passing at that in
slant with Mrs. Gable. please include
the father. Miss Cable" he pleaded,
with mock seriousness. Turning to
Mrs. Cable. who had stopped beside
| him, he added, You, the most charm
ing of mothers. will defend the IA
| theirs. won't your
with all my heart" she answered
so steadily that he was surprised.
Il will include the father, Mr.. Ban
semer," said Jane, eff it is guaranteed
that he possibly could be as nice and
dear as ones mother. In that case l
think it would be, oh, dreadfully terri
| bic never to have known him."
"And to think, Miss Cable, of the
unfortunates who have known neither
| father nor mother" said Bansemer
senior, slowly, relentlessly. How
much they have missed Of life and
| lover
THAT can be Offset somewhat by the
thought of the poor parents who never
| have known son or daughter" said
Jane.
How can they be parents, them
demanded Bobby Rigby, coming up in
| time.
go away, Bobby" she said scorn-
fully.
THAT'S nice way to treat logic" he
grumbled, ambling on in quest of Miss
Clegg.
THE debate viii become serious if
you continue" said Mrs. Cable lightly.
Come along, Mr.. Bansemer. Mrs.
Craven is waiting"
| When they were across the room and
alone she turned a white face to him
and demonstrated bitterly, "Oh, that
was cowardly OF you after your. prom.
y