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

told the true story of Jane. From
Rigby he learned Of the vile transac-
tions in which his father had dealt.
At first he could scarcely believe his
Owl ears, but in the end he saw that
but half the truth could be told.
1t was past midnight when he left
David Cable's-not to go to his own
home, but to that Of Elias broom. He
knew now that the newspaper would
devote columns to the sensation In
high life;'' he knew that Jane would
suffer agonies untold, but he would not
blame his father for that; he knew
that arrest and disgrace hung over the
tall gray man who had shown his true
and amazing side at last; he knew that
shame and humiliation were to be his
own share in the division. Down
somewhere in his aching heart he
nourished the hope that Elias broom
could ease the pain of these wretched
disclosures.
AS he traversed the dark streets
across town he was vaguely wonder
ing whether James eyes would ever
lose the panied, hopeless expression he
had last seen in them. He wondered
whether she would retract her avowal
that she could not be his wife with the
shame upon her; he rejoiced in her
fearless, lifeless promise to hold him
III no fault for what had happened.
Distressed and miserable, he spent
the remainder of the night in Elias
Droom's squalld rooms. sitting before
tn. little stove which his host replen-
ished from time to time during the
weary hours.
broom answered his questions with
a direct tenderness that surprised even
himself. He kept much to himself,
however, and advised the young man
to reserve judgment until after he had
heard his fathers side of the story.
"T've been loyal to James Bansemer.
Graydon, and I'll still be loyal to him.
He's not done right by other people,
but he has tried to do right by you"
IF he wanted to do right by me,
why did he not tell me of Jane's-mis-
f~ortune?" exclaimed the young man
bitterly
Because he really wanted you to
marry her. Anybody can see she is
without a flaw. That's the truth, Gray
don. Your father was wrong in his
desire to make capital of it in onnec-
ton with Mrs. Gable. l told him so. I
don't believe he knew just what he
was doing; he was so used to success,
you see. Can't you go to sleep, boy?
You need to-"
"God, mo-"
I'D advise you to go home and talk
1t over with your father"
Tomorrow will be time enough
after the newspapers are out. | cam
bear to think of the disgrace. Har'
bert has been interviewed. they say
He's told everything"
talk to your father tonight, my
boy. There may be-may be warrants
tomorrow"
The young man dropped his head OF
his arm and burst into tears. Ole
broom pulled vigorously at his pipe
his eyes shifting and uncomfortable
Twice he attempted to speak and coult
not. In both instances he arose an(
poked the fire. At last the youn!
mans choking sobs grew less violent
broom cleared his throat with raucoui
emphasis, took his snaky gaze from
print on the wall representing Dawn
and spoke:
"You wouldn't think it to look at M
now, or any other time for that ma
ter, but / loved a woman once-a lon
time ago. She never knew it, didn'
expect her to love me. How could l
Don't cry, Graydon. You're not nk
l was. The girl you love loves YOU
Cheer up. If l were you I'd go ahea
and make her my wife. She's goo
enough, I'll swearl"
"She says she can't marry me. Goo
heavens, Ellasl You don't know wha
a blow It was to her. 1t almost kille
her. And my own father! Oh, 1t Wa
terriblel'
Elias Doom did not tell him-nC
had he ever told any one but himself
that the woman he loved was Il
boys mother. He loved ner DeIoIe al
after she married James Banseme
He never had faltered in his love al
reverence for her.
Graydon waited in his rooms uni
the old man returned with the morniI
papers. AS broom placed them on Il
table beside him he grinned chez
fully.
"Big headlines, Ell? But these a
not a circumstance to what they W
be. These articles deal only with 4
great mystery concerning the birth
one of the most beautiful n popul
young women in Chicago Wait-w'
until the Bansemer smash comes to
enforce the storyl Fine reading, chi
Don't, elias, for heavens sal
don'tp' cried the young man. "Ha
you no soft spot in your hearth
lieve you enjoy all this. Lookl 10
ovhot n saws about herl The Wit