The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-20


 road system, whose headquarters and home were in the city of Chicago. At taining this high place two years prior to the opening of this narrative. he was regarded now as one of the brain fest railroad men and slated to be pres ident of the road at the next meeting.
 Barely past fifty years of age, David Cable was in the prime of life and use- fulness. Age and prosperity had inn proved him greatly. The iron gray of his hair, the keen brightness of his face, the erect and soldierly carriage of his person, made him a striking figure. His wife. ten years his junior. was one of the most attractive women In Chi cago. Her giriish beauty had refined under the blasts of diversity. Years had not been unkind to her. In a way she was the leader of certain set, but her social ambitions were not content. There was a higher altitude in fash ions realm. Money, influence and per severance were her allies, social des- potism her only adversary.
 The tall, beautiful and accomplished daughter of the Cables was worshiped by her father with all the warmth and ardor of his soul. Times there were when he looked ir wonder upon this arbiter of not few manly destinies and for his life could not help asking himself how the Creator had given him such being for child, comment ing on the fact that she bore resem- blance to neither parent
 For years Mrs. Cable had lived in no little terror of some day being found out As the child grew to womanhood the fears gradually diminished, and 8 sense of security that would not be dis turbed replaced them. Then just as she was reaching out for the chief prizes of her ambition she came face to face with man whose visage she never had forgotten - Elias broom! And Frances Cable looked again into the old and terrifying shadows.
 1t was late in the afternoon. and she was crossing the sidewalk to her car riage. waiting near Fields. when a man brushed against her. She was con- scious of strange oppressiveness. Be fore she turned to look at him she knew that pair of staring eyes were upon her face Something seemed to have closed relentlessly upon her heart.
 One glance was sufficient. The tall. angular form stood almost over her; the two wide blue eyes looked down in feigned surprise; the never to be forgotten voice greeted her hoarsely:
 Good afternoon, Mrs. Cable! And how is the babyT'
 '"The baby!' she faltered. Struggle against it as she would, sort of fasci- nation drew her gaze toward the re- markable face of the old clerk. "Why --why--she's very well. thank you. she finally stammered Her face was as white as a ghost With shudder she started to pass him. broom blocked the way.
 "She was such pretty little thing, I remember" and then insinuatingly, ''Where is her father nowT'
 "He-Mr. Cable" answered Mrs. Ca ble, feeling very much as a bird feels when 1t is charmed by snake, "why he's at home, of course"
 1UQeGu! was dll ludI DAOOAA said, for she had ded to escape the grin that writhed in and out among the wrinkles of his face. sr,
 As her carriage struggled through Washington street an irresistible some thing compelled Frances Cable tt glance back. broom stood on tht curb, his eyes following her almost hungrily. Half an hour later wher she reached home she was in state of collapse. Although there was nt physical proof of the fact, she wa' positive that Elias broom had followed her to the very doorstep.
 In suspense and dread she waited for days before there was second manifestation of broom. There wal rarely day when she did not expec her husband to stand before her ant ask her to explain the story that hat been carried to him by a demon in th' form of man.
 But broom did not go to David Ga ble. He went to James Bansemer witt the news.