Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-11-26
GEORGE BARR McCUTCH]
Author Of Beverly Of Graustark." Etc

that Mrs. Cable came into direct con-
tact with James Bansemer's designs.
She had met him at two or three form
al affairs, but their conversations had
been Of the most conventional charac-
ter. On the other hand, her husband
had lunched and dined at the club
with the lawyer. At first she dreaded
the outcome of these meetings, but as
Cables attitude toward her remained
unchanged she began to realize that
Bansemer, whatever his purpose, was
loyal.
They met at last quite informally at
Mrs. Cleggs dinner a small and con-
genial affair. When the men came
into the drawing room after the cigars
Mrs. Gable, with not little trepida-
ton, motioned to Mr.. Bansemer to
draw up his chair beside her.
II have been looking forward with
pleasure to this opportunity, Mr.. Ban
semer," she said in a courteously acid
ulated way. at has been so long in
coming"
Better late than never" he returned,
with marked emphasis. Fortunately
for her the challenging significance of
his words was quickly nullified by the
smile with which she was almost in
stGrtly favored. Twenty years, l be-
lieve-it certainly came very near be-
ing never" he went on, abruptly
changing from harsh to the sweetest of
tones. mo one could believe that you
you're simply wonderful and added
pointedly, But your daughter is even
more beautiful, if such is possible,
than her-her mother"
Apparently the innuendo passed I'M
noticed. In reality, 1t required all her
courage to appear calm.
How very nice Of you," she said
softly. And looking him full in the
face, Her mother thanks you for the
compliment"
1t was a brave little speech. Such
bravery would have softened man Of
another mold-changed his purpose.
Not SO with Bansemer. A sinister
CLEAN came into his eyes, and his at
tack became more brutally direct.
''But the husband--has he never mis-
trusted?"
The blow told, though her reply was
given with ripping laughter and for
the benefit of any chance listeners.
For shame, Mr.. Bansemerw she
cried lightly. after fattering me SO
delightfully."- you're surely not going to
spoil 1t all?"
Despite his growing annoyance, ad.
miration shone clearly from Banse-
mer's eyes, His memory carried him
back some twenty years to the scene
in his office. Was it possible, he was
thinking, that the charming woman
before him exercising SO cleverly all
the arts of society, as If born to the
purple, and the light hearted, frivolous
little wife of the Central's engineer
were one and the same person? The
metamorphosis seemed incredible.
Uuwittingly his manner lost some Of
its aggressiveness, and the woman, per-
ceiving the altered conditions, quick
to take advantage, resolved to learn If
possible his intentions. Presently, go
ing right to the point, she asked:
"Is that extraordinary looking crea-
ture you had in your Office still with
you, Mr.. Bansemerr
"Extraordinaryw He laughed loud
ly. HE is certainly that and more.
Indeed. the English language does not
supply us with an adjective that ade-
quately describes the man" eff
The people nearest to them by this
time had moved away to another part
Of the large drawing room. Practically
the couple were by themselves. She
had been thinking for a moment, rea-
soning with woman's logic that 1t
was always well to know ones enemy.
When she next spoke It was almost in
whisper t7Na 2Tf 'NN"Hn au
t"How much does that horrible man
know %, ol7"tetN Te@n Tt'T
HE Is not supposed to know any
thing" and then, with an enigmatical
smile, promptly admitted, However,
I'm afraid that he does"
you have told him7 And yet you
promised nobody should know. How
COULD 'ra
my dear Mrs. Gable. he was not
told. II he has found out could not
prevent his discovering the truth
through his own efforts" he interrupt
ed In q tone more assuaging than con-
vincing to her. and then. hitching bis
chair closer and lowering his voice a
note, he continued: The papers had
to be taken out. But you must NOT
worry about him. You can depend on
me-" ae9
Promise me that you will make him
Il am 30 fearful Of that awful she
broke OF abruptly. Her fears were
proving too much for her, and she was
in imminent danger Of a complete
breakdown. All the veneer with which
she had bravely commenced the inter
view had disappeared
Bansemer endeavored to soothe her
with promises. but the poor woman
saw only his teeth In the reassurfng
smile that he presented to her, togeth-
er with the warnings that they were
likely to be observed With the hard
ct kind Of an effort she suceeeded In
pulling herself together sufncientiy 10
bid food night to her hostess.
When Mrs.. Gable reached homo that
night It vas with q full realization
that she was trrevocably committed
Into the custody Of these cold bleodsd
men.
They met asaix ana again Il the
homes q mutaal frssnda ana - had
ssms n lpeths H. ppessu1ye1 N taxe
~hes n tssspsa 49,. 60 HsS'