The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-02-11

"Godv burst from the wretched son 1 A wave of shame and grief sent the
 tears flooding to his eyes. "Poor old
 dadw He turned and walked to the
 window, his shoulders heaving. broom
 stood silent for long time, watching Bansemer's son, pity and triumph in 1 his face.
 Do you want to hear about it?'' he asked at last. Graydon's head was bent
 in assent.
 "It came the day after you left Chi
 cage with the recruits. I knew you
 would not read the newspapers. So did
 he. Karbert swore out the papers, and
 he, was arrested here in this office. believe he would have killed himself if 1 he had been given time. His revolver was-er-not loaded. Before the officers came he discharged me. I was at liber- l ty te go or to testify against him. I did 1 neither Of course I was arrested, but they could only prove that was a clerk who knew absolutely nothing about the inside workings of the office.
 I offered to go on his bond. but he
 would not have me. He made some ar rangement through his attorney, and l bail was secured. In spite of the fact that he was charged with crime he in- sisted on keeping these offices and try ing to do business. It wasn't because he needed money, Graydon. but be- cause he wanted to lead an honest life, he said. He has great deal of money, let me tell you. The grand jury indict- ed hsm last spring, but the trial did not come up until last month, nearly a year later, 50 swift is justice in this city In the meantime I saw but little of him. I was working on an invention. and. besides, there were detectives watching every movement l made. stuck close to my rooms. By the way, want to show you couple of models I hare perfected. Don't let me forget it. They
 "Yes, yes-but father? Go on."
 "Well, the trial came up at last That man Harbert is a devil. He had twenty witnesses, any one of whom could have convicted your father. How be got on to them I cannot imagine. He uncovered every deal we've-er- he had in Chicago and"-
 "Then he really was guiltyr' groaned Graydon.
 "Yes, my boy. knew it, of course. They could not force me to testify against him, however. was too smart for them. We'll, to make it short, De was sentenced five weeks ago. The motion for a new trial was overruled. He vent to Joliet. If he had been a popular alderman or ward boss he would have been out yet on continu- ances, spending most of his sentence in some fashionable hotel, to say the least"
 'Fer five yearsv' The young man sank into a chair and covered his face with his hands.
 "There'll be something off for good behavior, my boy. He wanted to be- have well before he went there. so suppose he'll keep it up. The whole town was against him. He didn't have a friend"
 "How did you escape" demanded Graydon. looking up carbohydrates evidence?"
 "No; not even after he tried to put most of the blame upon me. He tried that, my boy. just let him talk. It saved me from prison-usually the case with the man who keeps his mouth closed"
 'But Elias-Elias, why have been kept in the dark? Why did he not tell me about it? Why has''-
 "You forget, Graydon, that you turn aH fret yI~, the first to condemn him. He wanted yoa to stay away from this country un- til he is free. That was his plan. He didn't want to see you. Now he wants you to come to him. He wants you to h:ing Jane Cable to see him.''
 "Whatr
 ''Yes. that's it. I believe he intends to tell her the names of her father and mother. I think he wants her to for give him, and he wants to hear both of you say it to him."
 Graydon stared blankly from the ! window. The old clerk was smiling to l an evil, gloating smile that ] would have shocked Bansemer had he turned suddenly.
 "He wants both of us toto come to 1 the penitentiary? muttered the son.
 ''Yes, as soon as possible. Do you | think she'll go?' demanded broom anx- iously.
 ''I don't know. I'm afraid not"
 ''Not even to learn who her parents l are?"
 Ut might tempt her. But she hates father"
 'Well, she can gloat over him. can't she? That ought to be some satisfac- tion. Talk it over with her. She's 1 here. fsn't she?"
 "Elas, do you know who her par ents were" asked Graydon quickly. i've thought you knew as much about it as father"
 The old mans eyes shifted.
 "It's silly question to ask me. l was not member of the Four Hun dred, my boy"
 'Nor was my father. Yet you think he knows"
 He's a much smarter man than l, Graydon. You'u go with me to see him?"
 "Yes. I cant speak for Miss Cable"
 "See her, tomorrow. Come out to my place tonight, where the reporters can't find you. Maybe you won't care ell rry,4 H~,,&