Republican farmer., 1909-04-02

| SCTlCken. CruSQeQ. d{ t~ had heard the story O, his fathers baseness from Frances Cable. and he had beer told the true story of Jane. From Rigby he learned of the vile transac tions in which his father had dealt At first he could scarcely believe his own ears. but in the end he saw that but half the truth could be tcld.
 It was past midnight when he left David Cable's-not to go to his own home, but to that of Elias broom. He knew now that the newspaper would devote columns to the '.Sensation in high life:" he knew that Jane would suffer agonies untold. but he would not blame his father for that; he knew that arrest and disgrace hung over the tall gray man who had shown his true andkamazing side at last: he knew that shame and humiliation were to be his own share in the division. Down somewhere in his aching heart he nourished the hope that Eliss broom could ease the pain of these wretched disclosures.
 As he traversed the dark streetH across town he was vaguely wonder ing whether James eyes would ever lose the pained. hopeless expression he had last seen In them. He wondered whether she would retract her avowal that she could not be his wife with the shame upon her; he rejoiced in her fearless. llfeless promise to hold him in no fault for what had happened.
 Distressed and miserable. he spent the remainder of the night In Elias a&< I>nR the little stove which his host replen- weary hours.
 . direct tenderness that surprised even himself. He kept much to himself. however, and advised the young man tc reserve judgment until after he had heard his fathers side of the story.
 "I've been loyal to James Bansemer. Graydon. and I'll still be loyal to him. He's not done right by other people. but he has tried to do right by you"
 eff he wanted to do right by me. why did he not tell me of Jane's-mis- fortuner exclaimed the young man bitterly.
 Because he really wanted you to marry her. Anyb can see she is without flaw. That's the truth. Gray don. Your father was wrong in his desire to. make capital of 1t In connec- ton with Mrs. Cable. told him SO. don't believe he knew just what he was doing: he was so used to success, you see. Can't you so to sleep. boy7 You need to-"
 "God. nor'
 "I'd advise you to go home and talk 1t over with your father"
 Tomorrow will be time enough after the newspapers are out. 1 can't bear to think of the disgrace. Har- bert has been interviewed. they say. He's told everything"
 "Talk to your father tonight, my boy. There may be-may be warrants 
 The young man dropped his head on his arm and burst into tears. Old broom puffed vigorously at his pipe. his eyes shifting and uncomforta ble. Twice he attempted to speak and could not In both instances he arose and poked the hre. At last the young mans choking sobs grew less violent broom cleared his throat with raucous emphasis. took his snaky gaze from a print on tho wall representing Dawn" and spoke:
 "You wouldn't think it to look at me now, or any other time for that mat ter. but I loved a woman once-a long time ago. She never knew It. 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 I were you I'd go ahead and make her my wife. She's good I'll swearr'
 'She says she can't marry me. Good heavens. Elias! You don't know what a 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 the old man returned with the morning 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 Bansemer smash comes to re- enforce the story! Fine reading. eh?"
 Don't, Elias. for heavens sake. don'tr' cried the young man. Have 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 nightI There was a reporter there when it happened."
 Together they read the papers. Their comments varied. The young man Hr1thed aud eroaned under the revela-