The Washington times., 1920-06-29

ed up almost furtively. "You-sh-
have some previous knowledge. per
haps. of this little girls antece-
dents?"
Mr.. Grismer's voice grew soft and
persuasive; his finger tips were
gently Joined. Cleland, looking up
at him, caught a glimmer rssem-
bling suspicion In those curiousiy
light-coiored eyes.
"Yes. I have learned certain things
about her." he said shortly. II
know enough!i / want that child
for mine and I'm going to have
her"
MAY I ask--ah-just what facts
you have learned about this unfor-
= tunate infant?"
Cleland. bored to the verge of ir-
ritation. told him what he had
learned. -a
There was a silence during which
Grismer came to the conclusion that
he had better tell Cleland another
fact which necessary legal investi-
cation Of the child's eantecedents
might more bluntly reveal. Yes.
certainly Grismer felt that he
ought to place himself on record at
once and explain this embarrassing
fact In his own way before others
cruelty misinterpreted II to Cleland.
For John Cleland:s position in New
York among men of wealth, of af-
fairs, OF influence, and Of culture
made this sudden and unfortunate
whim of his for Stephanie Quest q
matter, of awkward Importance to
Chiltern Grismer, who had not
cared to ngure in the case at all.
Grismer's large. dry hand con-
tinucd to massage his jaw. Now
and then the bony fingers wandered
caressingly toward the white side
whiskers. but always returned to
screen the thin lips with a gentle.
inoessant massage.
\ ''Cleland," he began in a solemn
voice, have you ever heard that
this child is-ah-is a very distant
connection of my family?-m-m-
m'yes-my immediate family. Have
you ever heard any ill-natured gos-
sip of this nature?"
Cleland, too .astonished to reply.
merely gazed at him. And Grismer
wrongly concluded that he had
heard about it. somewhere or other.
'M-m-m -m'yes-a connection-very
distant. Of course. In the event that
you have heard OF this unfortune
affair from sources perhaps un-
friendly to myself and family
m-m- m'yes, unfriendly-possibl 1t
were judicious to explain the mat
ter to you-in justice to myself"
Il never heard of It," said Gle
land. never dreamed of such q
connection"
But to Grismer all men were
liars.
'Oh, did not know. thought
you might have heard malicious
rumors. But 1t Is just as we'll that
you should be correctly inform
ed. Do you recollect ever
reading anything concerning my
ah-late sister,"
DO you mean something that
happened many, many years ago?"
THAT Is what I refer to. Did
you read Of 1t in the newspapers?"
Yes" said Cleland. II read that
she ran away with a married man"
Doubtless" continue Grismer
with sigh. you recollect the
dreadful disgrace she brought upon
my family? The cruel scandal ex-
plotted by pitiless and malicious
press?"
Cleland said nothing.
Let me tell you the actual facts"
continued Grismer gently. THE
unfortunate woman became infat-
uated with a common Pullman con-
ductor-an Irishman named Con-
way-a very ordinary man who al
ready was married.
His religion forbade divorce; my
wretched sister ran away with him.
We have always striven to bear the
disgrace with resignation-m-m-
m'yes, with patience and resigna-
tion. That is the story"
Cleland, visibly embarrassed, sat
twisting the handle OF his walking
stick, looking persistently away
from Grismer. The latter sighed
heavily.
And so," he murmured, "our door
was forever closed to her and hers.
She became as one ignobly dead to
us-as a soul damned for all eter-
nifty"
"Oh, come, Grismer-"
"Damned-hopelessly. and for all
eternity" repeated Grismer with a
slight snap of his jaw; she and
her children, and her children's
children"
'Whatw
The sins Of the parents that
are borne through Renerations!"
Nonsense! That Is Old Testa-
ment bosh--"
"Pardon!" said Grismer, with a
pained forbearance. "Jt is the
creed OF those who worship and be-
licve the truth as taught in the
church Of which I am a member"
"Oh, I beg your pardon"
Granted" said Grismer, sadly.
He sat caressing his Jaw in sic
1ence for a while, then:
Her name was Jessie Grismer.
shc-ah-assumed the name OF Con-
way. God did not bless
the unholy union. There was a
daughter. Laura. A certain Harry
Quest. the profligate, wasted son Of
that good man, the Rev. Anthony
Quest, married this girl, Laura Con-
way. God, mindful of His
wrath, still punished the seed Of
my sinful sister. even until the sec
ond generation. Steph-
anie Quest is their daughter"
Good heavens, Grismer! can't
understand that you. knowing this,
have not done something-"
'Why7 Am I to presume to inter
fere with Gods purpose7 Am I to
uuestiop tho riphtconspc.. 80 HI.