The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-25

LC3 sLOOOs 1 bfnsesf wondering 1T ths sen were no playing into the fxther's hands In thi most desira bic matrimonial venture With shudder of repugnance he pu the thought from him, loyal to tha good friend and eomrade. James Bansemer came into his ofac late that morning. He had not see1 Graydon the night before, but at break fast the young man announced hi good fortune and asked for his bless ing. To his sons surprise the elde man did not at once express his ap l proval. For long time he sat silen and preoccupied to all appearance, mar rowly studying his sons face until tn, young man was constrained to laugl in his nervousness.
 "You love her, you are very sure ? asked the father at last.
 Better than my life," cried Graydol warmly.
 "She has good blood in her," sait Bansemer senior slowly. almost ab sently.
 T should say so. Her father is , | wonderful man. 'Yes, I dare say" agreed the other without taking his eyes from the son.. face.
 "But you don't say whether you ap prove or disapprove," complained Gray don.
 Would it change matters if I dis l approvedY
 .Not in the least, father. love her 1 I'd hate to digplease you in"- Then, of course, approve" said I the other, with his warmest smile "Jane is a beauty, and--I am proud o1 ! her."
 "She is too good for me-" lamented Graydon happily. T can't very well contradict her flu ture husband" said the lawyer There was hungry look in his eyes as he glanced from time to time at the face of the boy who had his mothers un. forgettable eyes. A messenger brought Mrs. Gables note to Bansemer soon after his ar rival at the office. He and Elias broom were in the back office when the boy came. They had been dis cussing the contents of letter that came in the early mall. The lawyer accepted the note and dismissed the boy with the curt remark that he would telephone an answer in person.
 Tt looks to me as though this is go- ing to be a rather ticklish affair." y broom resumed sitter the boy had al <Hn EAh I.f Bansemers mind was on Mrs. Cables note. A queer smile hung on his lips.
 "I'm rather touched by her astute- ness," he said. "She's cleverer than thought. Oh" suddenly remem bering that it was not Mrs. Cables letter they were discussing, you always see the dreary side of things, Eliasr'
 q haven't forgotten New York" said the clerk dryly.
 ..Ah, but Chicago isn't New York, you know"
 Well, I was just reminding you. This man is going to fight back, that is plain"
 That's what Mrs. Norwood prom ised to do also, Elias. But she was like a lamb in the end.'
 T wouldn't be very proud of that af- fair if were you.' k
 See here, broom, you're getting a trifie too familiar of late. I don't like it," said Bansemer sharply.
 T beg your pardon, MT. Bansemer," !" said broom, scraping his foot across the floor and looking straight past his mas ter's head It's for the good of the cause, that's all It wouldn't do Oh Graydcn's account for you to be driven from Chicago at this time. You see. be thinks you are beyond reproach."
 Curse your impotence, broom! ! won't be spoken to in that way" ex- claimed Bansemer, white with sudden rage and loathing
 'Am to expect my discharge, sir ?" asked broom, rubbing his hands ab- jectly, but looking sQuarely into Ban semer's eyes for the first time in their acquaintance. Bansemer glared back for an instant and then shrugged his shoulders, with nervous laugh.
 we shan't quarrel, Elias," he said. Speaking of Graydon, he is to be mar ried before long"
 T trust he is to do we'll, sir. Gray don is a fine boy.''
 He is to marry David Cables daugh- ter"
 Indeed! T did not know that David Cable had daughter"
 ''You know whom mean-Jane Ca ble." He turned rather restlessly, con- scious that Droom's eyes were follow ing him to the window. He glanced again 1t Mrs. Cables note and waited.
 T suppose you are pleased" said broom after long pause.
 Certainly! Jane is "a splendid girl. She's beautiful, accomplished and well, she's thoroughbredy said Ban semer steadily, turning to face the old man.
 Tt is not necessary to remind you that her parents are unknown" said broom.
 "StiH," said Bansemer, and he sat down and leaned forward eagerly, ''she has good blood from both sides"
 "Yes--the so called best"
 You speak as if you know the truth"
 'I think--yes, Pm sure I know. l have known for twenty years, MT. Bansemer. had the same means as you of finding out whose child she was.'