The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-28

''I doubt if shall miss him greatly said he. He expects to leave early. He isn't we'll" she hastened to say. Don't you want to smoke?"
 "A cigarette if you don't mind. By l the way, where is my future daughter in-law? Surely may see her tonight. "She Is at the theater-with Fern mores. Graydon is one of the party. Didn't you know? she asked sud denly.
 T do remember it now. He left the apartment quite early. Then I have Fernmore to thank for-we are alone" !" He leaned forward in his chair and licked the cigarette ashes into the fire, his black eyes looking into hers with unmistakable intentness. "You assured me today that you would be fair," she said, with strange calmness, meeting his gaze unf1inch- tingly.
 T am fair. What more can you askY with light laugh. 'Why did you say today that had nothing to fear from youT' she de manded.
 'Yon have nothing to fear. Why should you fear me? For twenty years your face has not been out of my memory. Why should seek to hurt you. then? Why should not rejoice in the tie that binds our interests our lives, for that matter? Come, I ask if am not fair?"
 Her face became pale, her heart cold. She understood. The mask was of. He yelled his threat in the simplest words possible. The purpose looked through with greedy disdain for grace.
 T can offer no more than offered today" she said.
 'Do you suppose I would accept money in payment for my sons peace of mind?' declared Bansemer, with finely assumed scorn. You offered me $1O, 1000. You will never know how that hurt me, coming from you. Mon -ey? What is money to me in an affair like this7 I care more for one tender touch of your fingers than all the mon ey in the world! You and you alone can mold every impulse in me. For half my life have been hated. No one has given me grain of love. must have 1t. For years you have not been out of my mind-I have not been out of yours"
 'Stopr' she cried angrily. You have no right to say such things to me. You have been in my mind all but Nh h0 hot %od youv
 Like flash his manner changed He had her in his power, and it was not in his rature to permit his sub- jects to dictate to him. Craft and co- ercion always had been his ally. Craft could not win woman's heart, but coercion might crush it into submis- sion. It was not like James Banse- mer to play waiting game after it had been fairly started.
 'sNow listen to me-" he said distinct ly. "You cannot afford to talk like that You cannot afford to make an enemy of ue. mean what I"-
 What would you doY' she cried. You have promised that nothing shall happen to mar the lives of our chill dren. You have given me your pledge. Is it worthless? Is it"-
 'sI wouldn't speak so loud if were you," said he slowly. 1.-The walls have ears. You have much to lose if ears other than those in the wall should hear what could be said. It would mean disaster. I know at least that you do not love David Cable'-
 What! I--I worship my husbandv she cried, her eyes flashing, her bosom heaving. T love him better than any, thing else in all the world. How dare you say that to mev'
 Control yourself" he cautioned calmly. Permit me to say you love the position he has given you. You love the pedestal on which you stand so insecurely. You would rather hear his curse than to see the hand of so- cial ostracism raised against you. Wait! A word from me and not only David Cable, but the whole world would turn against you"
 Il have committed no crime" she 1ared back at him. q have deceived my husband, but I have not dishon- ored him. Tell the world everything, if you will.'
 "It would be a luscious tale,' he said, with an evil laugh. "The world, which is wicked, might forget the fact that Jane is not David's daughter, but Da- vid would not forget that she is yours.
 .'What do you mean? starting from her chair. "She is not my child. You know she isn't. You know the entire story. You"--
 q only know that you brought her to me and that l did you service. Don't ask me to be brutal and say more." She sank back and glared at him like helpless, wounded thing, the full force of his threat rushing in upon her.
 "You-you couldn't do that" she whispered tremulously.
 Il could, but don't see why I should,''@ he said, leaning closer to her shrinking figure.
 "You know it isn't true" faintly.
 'I only know that am trying to save you from calamity"
 '.Oh, what a beast you arev' she cried, springing to her feet. ''Go! l defy you! Do and say what you will! Only go!''
 uo roco ca1rs,lv ratisfiad smiIo on