Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1909-02-11
; lane Cable
GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEON,
Author Of Beverly Of Graustark." Ear

Author Of Beverly Of Graustark." Z

affairs worry you. She has ended It.
/ don't blame her. How could she
marry your son? | have hoped that
might not be your son, after ALL"
Bansemer leaned heavily against the
radiator, gasping for breath. Then he
staggered to the couch and dropped
upon it, moaning.
"Graydon, Graydon! Don't say that
Don't! I'll make everything right. I'll
try to undo 1t all! My boy, you are the
only thing on earth / love. I've been
heartless to all the rest of the world,
but love you. Don't turn against me-"
The son stood looking at him In dull
wonder. His heart was touched. He
had not thought that this stern man
could weep: he began to see the misery
that was breaking him.
dad, don't do that" he said, start
ing toward him. I'm sorry. I'm sor-
ry for you"
Bansemer leaped to his feet, his
mood changing like fash.
II don't want your pity. l want
your love and loyalty. | didn't mean
to be weak. Will you leave Chicago
with me? | must 60 Wen go at
once-anywhere, only together. We
can escape if we start now. Conner
81 won't go that wayr' exclaimed
Graydon. Not like a criminalw
"No? You won't" There was no
answer. "Then there's nothing more
to say. Go! Leave me alone. l had
prayed that you might not have been
like this. Go! l have important bust
ness to attend to at once" He cast
his gaze toward the drawer In which
the pistol lay. 81 don't expect to see
you again. Take this message to the
Cables. Say that l am the only liv-
ing soul who knows the names of that
girls father and mother. God alone
can drag them from mev'
Graydon was silent, stunned, bewil-
dered. His father was trembling be-
fore him, and he opened his lips to ut
ter the question that meant so much
If the answer came.
"Dont ask mev' cried Bansemer.
"You would be the last I'd tell"
81 don't believe you known cried
Graydon.
"Ah, you think I'll tell your tri-
umphantly.
81 don't want to know" He sat
down, his moody gaze upon his father.
Neither spoke for many minutes. Mel
ther had the courage. James Bansemer
finally started up with a quick look
at the door. broom was speaking to
some one In the outer Office.
go now" he said harshly, II want
10 be alone"
Father, are you-are you afraid OF
these chargesT' His father laughed
shortly and extended his hand to the
young man.
"Don't worry about me. They can't
down James Bansemer. You may leave
Chicago. I'll stay! Goodby. Graydonw
"Goodby, dadr'
They shook hands without flinching,
and the young man left the room. On
the threshold the father called after
him:
where do you expect to go?'
II don't know"
broom was talking to a youth who
held notebook in his hand and who
appeared frightened and embarrassed.
Graydon shook hands with the old
man. broom followed him into the
hall.
IF you ever need a friend, Gray
don," he said in low voice, "call on
me. If I'm not in Jail, I'll help you"
Half an hour later Graydon rang the
Cables doorbell.
"Miss Jane is not seeing any one to-
day, SIR" said the servant.
Say that must see her." protested
the young man. "I'm going away to-
night"
80 is she, sir"
"Wherer'
81 don't know, sir. California, more
than likely. Mrs. Cable and she will
be gone for some time"
did she tell you not to admit me-"
he asked. white faced and calm.
Eyes, sir. Nobody, SIR"
He turned down the steps and walk
Cd away.
That afternoon he enlisted and the
following morning was going west
ward with a party of recruits, bound
eventually for service with the reg
ulars In the Philippines.