The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-02-02

HT~ "''''" He threao htmseI on his knees beside the
 bed.
 know that you forgive me. don't care for anything-nothing else in the world.''
 When the nurse came in a few min. utes later he was sitting upon the edge of the bed holding her hands in his Their faces wern radiant.
 Please stay out" he said, almost grufhy.
 "For just a little while," his wife added gently. The nurse hesitated a moment and then left the room.
 Frances Cable told him Jane's his. tory so far as 1t was known to her He listened duly.
 "She will never know her true par ents," said she in the end.
 "No, suppose not" said he, looking out of the window.
 "You understand, don't you, David. dear?' she said feebly. "How dread. ed to have you learn the truth after all these years, and, above all, how hoped that Jane might never know! I tried every means in my power to buy James Bansemer's silence" She buried her head shamefully in he1 arms. After a moment she went on: ''He professes to love his son, but his is the love an animal gives the off. spring it would destroy. And yet Graydon worships him."
 Are you quite sure that Graydon Is as unsuspecting as you think7"
 "In regard to his father?'
 "In regard to Jane."
 "Oh, I'm sure of it. He is not 8 party to his fathers schemes. Ii James Bansemer has not already told Graydon, he never will. It is not his plan to do SO. His only object has been to browbeat me into submission David, it will all come out right in the end, won't 1t? You'll forgive me?"
 "Yes, dear, but this man." and David Cable shook with emotion as he spoke twill have to answer to me. There will be no more to fear" he said reas suringly. "I'u crush him as l would a snake"
 David, you must not'-
 Don't worry" he broke in. "1'l at. tend to him and see that no harm comes to any one else. That man has no business among honest people,"
 "But, David, 1 was not honest witl you," she confessed.
 "That was a long time ago, and she's as much mine as she is yours So. what's the odds now? It's facer I'll admit, but it can't be helped" Ii was thus that the man whose anger only a few hours before had led hilr almost to crime now readily absolved her of any blame.
 "Poor child, poor child!" she moaned Ut will break her heart. She is sc proud and so happy"
 "Yes, she's proud. There is good blood in her. don't wonder now that I used to think she was such marvel She's-she's not just the same sort oi stock that we are, take it as you will"
 "she never must know the truth David.''
 She's bound to find it cat, dear We'd better tell her. It will be easier for her. Bansemer's fangs must be made harmless forever. He shan't bother her. She'd better hear the story from us and not from him.
 "But Graydon? She'll lose him, Da. vid."
 "I'm not so sure of it. She's worthy of any mans love, and we must know that Graydon loves her. I'll trust to that But. first of all. we must put it beyond the power of James Bansemer to injure her in any shape or form. Then, when I go after him-Graydon or no Graydon-he'll know that there is such a place as he'll"
 "Be rational, David. Let us take our time and think well, dear. l can't bear the thought of the story that will go out concerning mellow I deceived you about Jane for years and years. What will people think of me?. What will they say?' she almost walled.
 Frances" said be- his voice tense and earnest. "that is between you and me. I intend to say to the world. if occasion demands. that l have known from the first that Jane was not our child That will be-
 "Oh. David, you can't say that" she cried joyously.
 'I shall say it. dear old partner. shall say that you took her from the asylum with my consent There is