The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-02-04
B lane ( Cable 3
 GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEON. \ Author of Beverly of Gsaustark." ~eFt&ax:z:
 , COPYRIGHT, G A
GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEON
{To be Contin ued.l

&10 De CONL2u Ne0.( You wouldn't think it to look at me now, or any other time for that mat ter, but I loved woman once-a long time ago. She never knew it. I didn't expect her to love me. How could I? Don't cry, Graydon. You're not like I was. The girl you love loves you. Cheer up. If were you I'd go ahead and make her my wife. She's good enough, I'll swearr'
 "She says she can't marry me. Good heavens. Elias! You don't know what blow it was to her. It almost killed her. And my own father! Oh, 1t was terribler
 Elias Doom did not tell him-nor had he ever told any one but himself that the woman he loved was the boys mother. He loved her before and after she married James Bansemer He never had faltered in his love and reverence for her.
 Graydon waited in his rooms until papers. As broom placed them on the table beside him he grinned cheer fully.
 Big headlines, eh? But these are not a circumstance to what they will be. These articles deal only with the great mystery concerning the birth of one of the most beautiful and popular young women in Chicago Wait-wait until the Ransemer smash comes to re- enforce the story! Fine reading, eh?" "Don't. Elias, for heavens sake. . &kn you no soft spot in your heart? l be- lieve you enjoy all this. Look, Look what it says about her! The whole shameful story of that scene last nightl There was a reporter there when it happened"
 Together they read the papers. Their comments varied. The young man writhed and groaned under the revela- Hons that were going to the public. The old clerk chuckled and phloso- phized.
 Every one of these papers prophe- sled other and more sensationaA de- velopmeDts before the day was oyer. 1t promised to be war to the knife be- tween David Cable, president of the Pacific. Lakes and Atlantic, and the man Bansemer In each interview emphatically that the adoption of Jane had been made with his knowledge and consent. The supposed daughter was the only one to whom the star ting revelations were surprise. There also was mention of the fact that the young woman had immediately broken her engagement with James Banse- mer's son. There were pictures of the leading characters In the drama
 q can't stay in Chicago after all this.'' exclaimed Graydon, springing tc his feet, his hands clinched in despair. ''To be pointed out and talked about! To be pttied and scorned! To see the degradation of my own father. I'll gC anywhere, just so it is away from Chi cago.''
 broom forgot his desire to scoff. His sardonic smile dwindled into Judi crously pathetic look of dismay. He begged the young man to think twice before he did anything foolish 'In any event.. he implored, '1et me get you some breakfast, or at least a cup of coffee"
 In the end he helped Graydon into his coat and glided off down Wells street with him. It was 2 o'clock. and every corner newsstand glowered back at them with black frowDs as they looked at the piles of papers. Two rough looking men walking ahead of them were discussing the sensation. A saloon keeper shouted to them. Tt don't always happen over on de west side, does it?"
 GraydOn went to the office of Clegg, Groll 6 Davidson early and arranged his affairs, so that they could be taken up at once by another, and then, avoid ing his fellow workers as much as pos sible, presented himself to MT. Clegg at 10 o'clock. Without hesitation he announced his intention to give up his place in the office. All argument put forth by his old friend and employer went for naught The cause of his ac- ton was not discussed, but it was un- derstood.
 eff you ever want to come back to us, Graydon, we will welcome you with open arms. It isn't as bad as you think
 You don't understand, MT. Clegg," was all that Graydon could say.
 Then he hurried off to face his fa- ther.
 James Bansemer, haggard from loss of sleep and from fury over the aliena tion of his son. together with the fear of what the day might bring, was pac- ing the floor of his private office. 1 broom had eased his mind but little in regard to his son. When he heard Graydon's voice in the outer room his face frightened, and he took several quick steps toward the door. He checked himself suddenly with the re- membrance that his son had turned against him the night before, and his face hardened.
 Graydon found him standing stern 1 and unfriendly before the steam radi i ator in the darkest corner of the room, his hands behind his back. The young l man pumped down heavily in his fa- l ther's desk chair.
 Why didn't you come home last night?' demanded the other.
 T hated the thought of it." he an 1 swered dejectedly.
 You've listened to their side of the l