The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1909-01-13
CHAPTER XX-Continued.

Il
swered dejectedly.
you've listened to their side of the
story. You're a splendid son. you are.'
sneered the father.
There is nothing base and unprin-
cipled in their side of the story They
have tried to shield her. They have
never harmed her. But you. Why.
father, you've blighted her life for
ever. They were going to tell her in a
day or so, and they could have made
1t easy for her. Not like this. Why,
In heavens name. did you strike her
like that? She's-she's the talk of the
town. She's ostracised, that's what
she is. and she's the best girl that ever
lived
"Oh. you think they would have told
her. eh? No. They would have let her
marry
"Wel. and what was your positlonf
Why were you so considerate up to
last night? If you knew. why did you
let me go on so biindly? The truth is,
father. If you must have it. you have
acted like scoundrel."
James Bansemer gared Mt his son.
with murder in his eyes.
II wouldn't have believed the other
things they say of you If | hadn't this
to break down my faith. | heard this
with my own ears. 1t was too con-
temptible to forget in q lifetime. did
not come here to discuss it with you.
The thing Is done. came here to tell
you that am going to leave Chicago.
You won't go. so will" Bansemer
still glared at him. but there was
amazement mingling with rage In his
eyes. II can't look Il soul in the face
Good Lord. I'm afraid even to think Of
Jane"
II suppose you-you would marry
her. like fool. even now" muttered
the father.
Marry her? OF course would.
love her more than ever. I'd give my
life for her: I'd give my soul to ease
the pain you have thrust upon her.
But it's over between us Don't let our
. 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.
4 Don't! I'll make everything right III
8 try to undo it all. Ny boy. you are the
3 only thing on earth | love. I've been
4 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
I that was breaking him.
Dad. don't do that" he said, start
ing toward him. I'm sorry. I'm sor-
4 ry for you"
Bansemer leaped to his feet. his
mood changing like fash.
Il don't want your pity. l want
your love and loyalty. didn't mean
to be weak. Will you leave Chicago
with me? must go. Well go al
d once-anywhere. only together. We
can escape If we start now. Comet!
4 II won't go that way" exclaimed
a Graydon. Not like a criminalr'
NO? You won't?" There was nc
answer. Then there's nothing more
q to say. Go! Leave me alone. l had
q prayed thar you might not have been
like this. Go. | have important bust
ness TO attend to at once" He cas-,
his gaze toward the dra wer in which
the pistol lay. Il don't expect to see
q you again. Take this message to The
Cables. Say that | am the only llv
n ing soul who knows the names of thai
Il girls father and mother. God alone
can drag them from me"'
Graydon was silent. stunned, Devil
dered. His father was trembling be
lore him, and he opened his lips to ut
ter the question that meant SO much
II the answer came.
Don't ask mel" cried Bansemer
You would be the last I'd tell"
Il don't believe you know!" cried
Graydon.
"Ah, you think I'll tell your tri
umphantly.
Il don't want to know" He sa
down. his moody gaze upon his father
Neither spoke for many minutes. Mel
Their had the courage. James Bansemel
nnally started up with a quick looi
at the door broom was speaking t.
some one in the outer Office.
Go now" he said harshly. II wan
to be alone"
Father are you-are you afraid o.
these charges?" His father laughed
shortly and extended his hand to tn,