Eugene weekly guard., August 20, 1908, Page 11, Image 11

11
I
CH.’
concerned’ May I Inquire
-a un> ’•~r habyT asked Bansc —------- -•
j » inquire the reason?”
more interested. The word gov Bansemer naturally was Interested by
Arties» appealed to him. It meant that ■ this time.
"If you have time to listen. I'd like
abe bad to do wltb w***Jthy people at to tell you bow It all comes about. It
kist.
won t take long. I want some one to
-No—that la—well, not exactly." she
tell me Just what to do. and I'll pay
replied confusedly. The lawyer looked for the advice, if It isn't too expensive.
4t ber so sharply that she flinched un­ I m very poor, Mr Bansemer. Per­
der bls gaze. A kidnaper, thought he. haps you won't care to help me after
with tbe quick cunning of one who you know that I can't afford to pay
des.s in stratagems. Instinctively he very much.”
looked about as If to make sure that
"We’ll see about that later." be sakl
there were no unnecessary witnesses brusquely. "Go ahead with the story."
to »hare tbe secret.
The young woman hesitated, glanced
“Come into this room.” said he sud­
nervously at ber sister as if for sup­
denly “Both of you. See that we are
port and finally faced tbe expectant
not disturbed." he added to Droom
lawyer with a flash of determination In
-I think I can give you a few min­ her dark eyes As she preceded Banse­
utes. madam, and perhaps some very
mer silently and somewhat disdainfully
good advice. Be seated," he went on, made a study of tbe »¡ivaXer. He con
closing tbe door after them. His eyes
rested on Droom’s face for an instant eluded that she was scarcely of com­
as tbe door closed, and he saw a par­ mon origin and was the possessor of a
ticularly Irritating grin struggling on superficial education that had been en­
his thin lips. "Now. what Is it? Be larged by conceitedness Furthermore,
as brief as possible, please, I'm In -.be was a person of selfish Instincts,
but witbout the usual cruel Impulses.
quite a hurry."
It occurred to him at this Juncture There was little, if any. sign of true re­
that the young woman was not par finement In the features, and yet there
Ocularly distressed. Instead, her rath- was a strange strength of purpose that
er pretty face was full of eagerness, puzzled him. As her story progressed
and there w-as a certain lightness in be solved the puzzle. She bad the
her manner that puzzled him for the strength to carry out a purpose that
moment Her companion was the might further ber ows personal inter­
older of the two and quite as prepos­ ests, but uot the will to endure sacri­
sessing Both were neatly dressed, fice for tbe sake of another. Her sis­
and both looked as though they were ter was larger and possessed a reserve
or bad been breadwinners, If they that might have been mlstakeu for
had a secret it was now quite evident deepness. He felt that she was hardly
to this shrewd, quick thinker that It In sympathy wltb the motives of tbe
was not a dark one. In truth, he was younger, more volatile woman.
beginning to feel that something mis­
"My husband Is a railroad engineer
chievous lurked in the attitude of the and Is ten years older than 1," the nar-
rotor said In the beginning, “1 wasn't
two visitors.
“I want to ask how a person has to quite nineteen when we were married,
two years ago. For some time we got
proceed to adopt a baby,
along all right; then we begau to quar
rel. He commenced to”—
"Mr. Bansemer Is In a hurry. Fan."
broke in the older sister sharply, and
then, repeating the lawyer’s words.
"Be as brief as possible.”
There was a world of repitiach In the
look which greeted the speaker. Evi­
dently It was a grievous disappoint
ment not to be allowed to llDger over
tbe details.
“Well," she continued half pettishly,
“it all ended by bls leaving borne. Job
and everything I bad told blm that I
was going to apply for a divorce. For
three months I never beard from him.”
"Did you apply for a divorce?" asked
the Lawyer, stifling a yawn.
"No, sir, I did not. although be did
nothing toward my support” The
woman could not resist a slightly co­
quettish attempt to enlist Bansemer’s
sympathy. “I obtained work at St
"t want to ask lune a person hae to
Luke's Hospital For Foundlings and
ored to adopt a baby."
blunt and aurprising remark that catne I after that as a governess. But once a
from the one who held the infant Ban week I went back to the asylum to
see tbe little ones. One day tbey
•emer felt bimaelf getting angry.
"Who wants to adopt it?" be asked brought In a beautifully dressed baby—
a girl. She was found on a doorstep,
shortly.
“I do, of course." sbe answered, so and In the basket was a note asking
readily that the lawyer stared. He that she tie well cared for. With it
scanned her from head to foot critical­ was a hundred dollar bill. The moment
ly; her face reddened' perceptibly. It I saw tbe little thing I fell in love
surprised him to find that she was with her. I made application, and they
more than merely good looking. She gave me tbe child with the under
standing that I was to adopt it You
»as positively attractive!
see, I was lonely. I had been living
“Are you a married woman?" he de­
alone for nine or ten months. The au
manded.
thoritles knew nothing of my trouble
les." she answered, with a furtive
glance at her companion. “This is my with Mr. Cable—that’s my husband.
David ^'able. The child was about a
«»ter." she added.
month old when I took her to his
"I see. Where Is your husband?"
mother, whom I hadn't seen In months
"He is at home, or, rather, at bis
mother's home. We are living there I told Mrs. Cable that she was mine
The dear old lady believed me; half
’now."
the battle was won." She paused out
I thought you said you were a gov­
of breath, her face full of excitement.
erness?"
"And then?" be asked, once inure in-
That doesn't prevent me from hav-
terested.
!tr a home, does It?” she explained
"We both wrote to David asking him
•easily, “f-jjj not n nnrsii yo,] ¡¡now -
'This isn't your child, then?" be to come borne to his wife and baby.”
She looked away guiltily. For a full
«’feed Impatiently.
”> don't know whose child It Is.” minute Bansemer did not speak.
"Tbe result?" be demanded.
There was a new softness In her voice
“He came back last month."
"at made him look hard at her while
"Does he know the truth?"
•he passed a hand tenderly over the
"No. and with God's belp he never
»•eepfng babe. "She comes from a
shall! It's my only salvation!" she ex-
’’flndlings home, sir."
Ton cannot adopt a child unless sup- claimed emotionally. "He tblnks »be
The tears
Wed by some authority." he said, Is bis baby and—and”—
“I worship
were
on
her
cheeks
now.
dore she happen to be In your
bow good
»nd what papers have yon him. Mr. Bansemer! Ob.
t»m the foundlings' home to show that and sweet be has lieen to me since he
-• authorities are willing that you came back! Now. don't you see why I
uld have her? There is a lot of red must adopt this child and why be must
never know? If be learned that I had
^-«t such matters, madam."
., ’bought iwrhaps you could manage deceived him In this way be would
’t me.
Bansemer." she said hate me to my dying day."
The Infant was awake and staring
’ "vely "They say you never fail
*n-T''^r YO* undertake ' He was at blm with wide blue eyes.
"And you want me to bandle this
>. ,UI*
w*" a compliment tn her
“ irk. so he treated it with indlffer- matter so that your husband will be
**•».
none tbe wiser?”
"Oh. Mr Bansemer." »be cried. "It
1 m afraid I can't belp you." The
means everything to me' All depends
»at final.
L22*n.t -T<M1 **11
how I’ll bare to on this baby! I must adopt her or ,*ue
1 ra°at adopt the child, str. asylum people won't let me keep ber
" w,y or another." Her manner was Can't It be done so quickly that he'll
•■’<lu«d, and there was a touch never find it out?"
"How many people know that tie
I
’fi her voice,
j ’ • you go Into the proper court and | child Is not yours?"
"My sister and the authorities at the
’ppiiretlon. that's all.” he volun-
^ylum. not another soul.
carelessly.
-The
Judge
will
do
* rest"
"It is possible tn arrange th» adop­
■Of »he ■ I toes your busband approve tion. Mrs Cable, but I can't guarantee
“Bed. i t know anything about it.' that Mr. Cable will not And it out. Tbe
‘»hi!
records will show the fact, you know.
hat?"
There
is but one way to avoid dXcov-
*11 him It would spoil er
err ."
"And that please?”
'°ar madam. I don't believe I
-|_eare New York and make your
Ja'- you quite dearly. Yow
home
In some distant city. Tb.it s the
’ adopt the child and keep the
r.
•••'k so far as >our buabwnd U safe way. If you remain here there I
nail not tieeti u::»;-i W nee in a wa
sue was tne leader or a certain set. bu
her social ambitions were not content.
There was a higher altitude in fash­
ion's realm. Money, Influence and per­
severance were her allies, social des­
potism her only adversary.
The tall, beautiful and accomplished
daughter of the Cables was worshiped
by ber father with all the warmth and
ardor of bls soul. Times there were
when be looked in wonder upou this
arbiter of not a few manly destinies
and for bls life could not belp asking
himself bow the Creator had given
him sueb a being for a child, comment­
ing on the fact that sbe bore resem­
blance to neither parent.
For years Mrs. Cable had lived lu na
little terror of some day being found
out As the child grew to womanhood
the tears gradually dlmlnlsh.il, and a
sense of security that would not tie dis­
turbed replaced them. Then Just as
she was reacblug out for tbe chief
prizes of her ambition she came face
to face with a man whose visage she
never had forgotten — Ellas broom!
And Frances Cable looked again Into
the old and terrifying shadows.
It was late In tbe afternoon, and she
was crossing tbe sidewalk to her car
riage, waiting near Field's, wheu a tn an
brasbed against her. Sbe was con-
scions of a strange oppressiveness Be-
fere sbe turned to look at him she
knew that a pair of staring eyes were
upon her face. Something seemed to
have closed relentlessly upon her heart.
One glance waa sufficient. Tbe tall,
angular form stood almost over ber;
tbe two wide blue eyes look.il down
In feigned surprise; the never to be
forgotten voice greeted her hoarsely:
"Good afternoon. Mrs. Cable! And
bow Is tbe baby?”
"The baby!" sbe faltered Struggle
against It as sbe would, a sort of fasci­
nation drew her gaze toward the re­
markable face of tbe old clerk “Why
—why—she's very well, thank you.”
she finally stammered Her face was
as white as a ghost. With a shudder
sbe started to pass him
Droom
blocked tbe way.
“She was such a pretty little thing.
I remember." and then Insinuatingly,
Where la ber father novi?"
Is always a chance that he may*find
out. I see the position you’re tn. and
I 11 help you. It can be done quite reg
ularly, and there Is only oue thing
you’ll have to fear—your own tongue."
he concluded pointedly.
"I hate New York. Mr Bansemer
David likes the west, and I’ll go any
where on earth If It will keep him from
tindlug out. Oh. If you knew how he
adores her!” sbe cried, regret and ec­
stasy mingling In ber voice. "I’d give
my soul If she were only mine!" Banse
mer's heart was too roughly calloused
to tie touched by tbe wistful longing In
these words
Before the end of tbe week the adop
tlon of tbe foundling l»abe was a mat
ter of record, and tbe unsuspecting Da
vid Cable was awaiting a reply from
the trainmaster of a big western rail
road to whom, at the earnest, even
eager solicitation of his wife, he bad ap
plied for work. Ellas Droom made a
note of tbe fee In the daybook at the
office, but asked no questions. Banse­
mer had told him nothing of the trans
action, but he was confident that the
unspeakable Droom knew all about It
even though be had not lieen nearer
than tbe outer office during any of the
consultations.
•He— Mr. Cable," answered Mrs. Ca­
ble, feeling very much as a bird feels
when it is charmed by a snake, "why,
he’s at home, of course."
“Indeed!" was all that Ellas Droom
said, for she had fled to escape the
CHAPTER V
grin that writhed lu and out among
the wrinkles of bls face.
WENTY long years
As her carriage struggled through
passed since David
Frances Cable took their Washington street an irresistible some­
hasty departure, virtually thing compelled Frances Cable to
Dreom stood on the
fleeing from New York glance back.
city. their migrations curb, his eyes following her almost
finally ending In that thriving western hungrily. Half an hour later when
city—Denver. Then the grime of the she reached home she was In a state
engine was on Cable's hands and deep of collapse. Although there was no
beneath bls skin; the roar of Iron and physical proof of the fact, she was
steel and the rush of wind were ever In positive that Ellas Droom bad followed
bls ears, tbe quest of danger In bls her to the very doorstep.
In suspense and dread she waited
eye, but there were love, pride and a
new ambition In his heart. Now, tn for days before there was a second
1898, David Cable's hands were white manifestation of Drooin. There was
and strong; tbe grime was gone; the rarely a day when sbe did not expe<-t
engineer's cap bad given way to tbe her husband to stand before ber and
silk tile of the magnate, and the shovel ask her to explain the story that bad
been carried to him by a demon In tbs
was a memory.
But his case was not unique la that form of man.
But Droom did aot go to David Ca­
day and age of pluck and luck. Many
another man had gone from the bottom ble. He went to James Bansemer wltb
to the top with tbe speed and security the news
James Bansemer's law and loan of­
of the elevator car in the lofty sky­
scrapers. In tbe heartless revolution fices were not far from the river and.
of a few years he became the suc­ It is sufficient to say. not much far­
cessor of his western benefactor, The ther from State street He who knows
turn that had been kind to him was Chicago well cannot miss the location
unkind to his friend and predecessor more than three blocks either way If
The path that led upward for David he takes city ball as a focal point.
Cable ran the other way for the train- The office building in which they were
master, who years afterward died in located is not a pretentious structure,
his greasy overalls and the close fit­ but Its tenants were then and still are
ting cap of an engineer. One nlgbt regarded as desirable. It may be well
Cable read tbe news of tbe wreck to announce that Bansemer on ream­
ing Chicago was clever enough to turn
with all tbe Joy gone from bis heart.
From the cheap, squalid section of over a new leaf and Is-gin work on a
tow n known as “Railroad End” Cable's clear white page, but It Is scarcely nec­
rising Influence carried him to tbe well essary to add that the black. liesmircb
earned luxury. The lines of care and ed lines on the opposite »Ide of the
toil mellowed In the face of his pretty sheet could be traced through every
wife as the years rolled by. Her come­ entry that went down on the fresh
ly figure shed tbe cheap raiment of white surface. Bansemer was just as
"bard old days" and took on the plum­ nefarious In bls transactions, but be
age of prosperity
Trouble, resent­ was a thousandfold more cautions.
ment and worry disappeared as if by Droom sarcastically reminded him that
magic, smoothed out by the satiny he bad a reputation to protect In bls
touch of comfort's fingers. She went new field, and, liesldes. aa fils son wus
upward much faster than her husband, "going In society” through the Influ­
for her ambitions were less exacting ence of a coterie of Y ale men, it would
She longed to shine socially. He loathed be worse than criminal to deteriorate.
Bansemer loathed Droom. but be also
the thought of It. But Cable was
proud of bls wife
He enjoyed the feared him. He was the only living
transition that lift«l her up with creature that Inspired fear In the heart
steady strength to the plane which of this bold schemer. It Is true that
fitted her best, as he regarded It She he feared the effect an exposure might
had stuck by him nobly and uncom­ have on the mind of his stalwart son,
plainingly through the vicissitudes; it the boy with his mother s eyes, but he
delighted him to Rive her the pleas- i had succeeded so well In blinding the
youth in the years gone by that the
urea.
Frances Cable was proud, but she prospects of discovery now seemed too
had not lieen too proud to stand beside remote for concern. Tbe erstwhile
tbe man with tbe greasy overalls and New York shark was now an eel. wily
to Is-nd her fine young strength to and elusive, but be was an eel wltb a
work In unison with his. Together, shark's teeth and a shark's voracious­
facing the task, cheerfully they had ness He bad grown old in tbe study
battled and won
of thin particular branch of natural
There were days when It was hard to history. Bansemer was fifty-live years
smile, but the next <lay always brought old in this year of 1MHH. He was thin­
with It a fresh sign of hope. The ner than in the old Sew York days,
rough, hard days In the far west cul­ but tbe bull-llke vigor bad given way
minated In bls elevation to tbe office to tbe wiry strength of the leopard.
of general manager of the great rail­ Tbe once black hair was almost white
road system, whose beadquarters and and grew low and thick on bis fore-
Ixime were In the city of Chicago. At­ 1 bead.
Immaculately dressed, ever
taining this high place two years prior straight and aggressive In carriage, be
to tbe opening of this narrative, he soon became a figure of whom all eyes
was regarded now as one of tbe brain­ took notice even In tbe moat crowded
iest railroad men and slated to 1« pres­ of Chicago thoroughfares.
ident of the road et tbe next meeting.
Graydon Bansemer. on leaving Tale
Barely past fifty years of age. David with a diploma and some of tbe honors
Cable was In tbe prime of life and use­ of his class, urged hla father to take
fulness. Age and prosperity had im­
proved him greatly. The iron gray of him Into bls office and ultimately to
his hair, the keen brightness of bls make him a partner In the business.
face, the erect and soldierly carriage of James Bansemer never forgot the ma­
bis person, made him a striking figure. licious grin that crossed the face of
His wife, ten years bis junior, was one Ellas Droom when the young fellow
of the most attractive women in Chi­ made the proposition not more than •
cago ller girlish beauty bad refined fortnight before the Bansemer e*tat*-
xzdar the blasts of adversity. Years llshment picked Itaelf up and hastily
deserted New York. That grin spoke
I
. plainer than all the words in laugu ig*-
Take blm into the office? Make this
honest, gray eyed boy a partner? It
was uo wonder that Droom grlnued.
and It Is uo wonder that he forgot to
cover his mouth with bis huge baud.
I as was his custom.
The p ruins it ion. while sincere and
earnest, was too Impossible for words.
For once in his Ilfs James Bansemer
was at a loss for subterfuge
He
stammered, flushed and writhed in the
' effort to show the young mun that tbe
step would lie unprofitable, and be was
; sorely couscious that he bad uot con­
vinced the eager applicant He eveu
J urged blm to abandon the thought of
, becoming a lawyer and was ably sec-
| onded by Elias Droom. whose opinion
1 of the law. as he had come to know It.
, was far from flattering
Just at this time Bansemer wai en-
j gaged in the moat daring as well as
the most prodigious “deal” of bls long
career. With luck it was bound to eu-
rich blm to tbe extent of S50.000. The
plans had been so well prepared and
tbe execution bad been so faultless that
there seemed to Is« no possibility of
failure. To take bls fair minded son,
with tbe mother's eyes. Into tbe game
would t»e suicidal Tbe young fellow
would turn from him forever Hanse-
aier never went so far as to wonder
whence came the honest hlool In tbe
, origin still remained lockul up
heart the effort would is* an ea
He learned enough of David
however, to know that If lie sha
1 secret the plau would t»e protitl
i dangerous.
It was this uncertainty thnt kept him
I from calliug at tbe Cable home; like
wise from writing a note which might
prove a most disastrous folly. Time
and circumstance could lie his only
friends, and be was nccustomevl to the
. w hims of t»»th. He read of the dinners
and entertainments given by tbe Ca
1 bles and smiled grimly
Time had
I worked wonders for them.* Scandal.
I he knew, could undo all that ambition
I and pride had w rought. He could well
I afford to wait.
However, he did uot have long to
wait, for bis opportunity ca me one
Graydon
| night lu Uooley's theater
and he occupied seats in the orehestrs
near the stage and not far from the
lower right hand boxes. It was during
the busy Christmas holidays, but the
i "star" was of sufficient consequence to
pack the bouse The audience was no
end of a fashionable one. Time and
again some strange Influence drew his
gaxe to tbe gay party In one of the
lower boxes. The face of the woman
nearest to him was uot visible, but the
two girls who sat forward turned oc­
casionally to look over the audience,
and be saw that they were pretty, one
exceptionally so. cue of the men was
gray haired and strong featured, the
others were quite too insignificant to
be of interest to him. The woman
whose back he could see did uot look
out over the audience. Her ludltter
ence waa so marked that It seemed de­
liberate.
At last be felt that ber eyes were
upon blui. He turned quickly. True*
enough, for w-ltb lli>s slightly parted,
her whole attitude suggestive of In­
tense restraint. Mrs. Cable was staring
helplessly Into tbe eyes of the man
who could destroy her with a word.
The one thing that flashed through
Bansemer's brain was the realization
that she was far more tieautlful than
he had expected her to be There was
a truly aristocratic loveliness In tbe
rather piquant face, and she undeula
•‘Good afternoon, Met. ('ableI And lune bly possessed “manner.” Maturity had
la the bubpf"
improved her vastly, he confessed,
boy's veins nor to speculate on the ori­ with strange exultation; age had (wen
gin of the unquestioned integrity. He
had but to recall the woman who bore kinder than youth He forgot the play.
him, the woman whose love was the Seldom taking his eyes from the Irnek
only good thing lie ever knew, the which again had been turned to blm.
wife he had worshiped while he sinned Calculating, tn reached the conclusion
For years mid years he had plied his that shC was not more than forty year»
unwholesome trade In reputations, of age. More than once he made Home
sometimes evading exposure by the remark to his son. only to surprise that
narrowest of margins, and be bad young man glancing »urreptltlously at
come to believe that be was secure for the face of the more benutlful of the
all time to come. But It was the "big two girls. Even in this early stage
job” that brought disaster. Just when James Bansemer began to gloat over
It looked as though success was assur­ the l»*auty of this new found old ac­
ed the crash catne. He barely had quaintance.
In tbe lobby of tbe theater a» they
time to cover his tracks, throw the tig
urative pepper Into the eyes of his were leaving lie delll»*rately doffed hi»
enemies and get away from the scene hat aud extended a pleanant baud to
of danger. But he had been clever the wife of David Cable. She turned
and resourceful enough to avoid the deathly pale, and there waa a startled,
penalty that looked Inevitable and piteous look in her eyes that convinced
came off with colors trailing, but un him lieyond all shadow of a doubt.
There was nothing for her to do but
captured.
Perhaps no other man could have es Introduce him to her husband. Two
caped But James Bansemer w as clev­ minute» later Graydon Bausemer and
erest when In n earner lie backed Jane Cable, strangers until then, were
away, held them at bay until he could asking each other bow they liked the
recover his breath and then drill'd them plsy, and Fate was at work.
A few weeka after this scene at tlie
to their teeth Despite their proof he
baffled them, and virtue was not Its theater young Mr. Bansemer dashed
across the ball from the elevator and
own rewnrd-at least In thia Instance.
In leaving New York he hoped that entered his father's office Just as Ellas
Ellas Droom. who knew too much, Droom was dosing up.
"Where's the governor, Mr. Droom?"
might refuse to go into the new terrl
tory with him. but the gaunt old clerk be a»ked. deliberately brushing past
took an unnatural and malevolent de­ the old clerk In tbe outer office.
"Left Home time ago,” replied Droom
light In clinging to bls employer, He
somewhat
ungraciously, his blue eyes
to
give
up
his
place
In
the
uf
declined
flee, and although he hated James Bun­ »taring past tbe young man with a
seiner, lie came like an accusing steadiness that suggested reproach lie­
shadow Into the new offices near the cause lie was out of the direct line of
vision. "It Is nearly 0 o'clock. He's
Chicago river. and there be tolled.
never here after 5.”
grinned and scowled with the same old
"I know- that he - 1 asked you If you
faithfulness.
knew of his whereabouts. Do you—or
not?” The self confident, athletic
youth did not stand in physical-awe of
the clerk.
"No," w - iih tbe simple and aufficleut
answer.
"Well, then. I'm off,” said Graydolt
a trifle less airily.
Droom'» overcoat waa on and button-
ed up to Ills chin, ills long feet were
encased In rubbers of enormous size
and uncertain age, There inuat hhve
been no blood In the veins of this grim
uld man. for the weather wa» far from
cold, aud tbe street» were surprisingly
dry for Chicago. ,
"1 am closing the office for the day,"
said Drooin. For no apparent reason
a smile spreud over the lower part of
CHAPTER VI
bls face, and Graydon, bold aa he waa,
T first It was hard for turned his eyes away.
James Bansemer to ■ lie­
"I thought I'd atop In and pl< k up
lieve that hla bench! man tbe governor for a ride home In my
bad not lawn mistaken. motor," said he, turning to the door.
1 »room's description of
"Yours Is one of tbe first out here, I
the holy certainly did not corr«-»|s>n<l •apiMsw.” came from the thin lips of
to what hla memory retailed. Investi­ the old clerk.
gation. however, assured him thnt the
Graydon laughed.
Cables in tlie mansion near the lake
"I’ooalbly. Tbe company charges a
were the fteople be had known In New nickel a ride, half a dime. Going
York. Bansemer took no oue into hla down, sir?" Graydon bad rung for |
confidence, not even Droom Once con­ the elevator sod was waiting lu front
vinced that the x»twhile fireman was of tlw grating
now the rich and powerful magnate, he
A look containing a curious com-
set to work upon the machinery which i p»»ind of affm-lionate reproach and a
was to extract fiersonal gain from the '-ertaln senile gratification at (wing
secret In hie paaasMlon.
lie soon I ma<ie the object of tbe tioy’a conde-
learned that the > tifici was a young wo- | s< ending raillery cross«! Droom'« coun­
man of <-on*Iderable standing In socle tenance Without, however, answering
ty. but there was no way for him to bls question he slowly and carefully
ascertain whether Frances Cable had I <-lo»«! the door, tried It vigorously ami
told the truth to her husband In those join«! Bansemer at the shaft. With
dreary far west days
| Drooin wor<ls were unnei-eaaary when
Bansemer waa rich enough, but , act Iona could »[icsk for themselves
avarice had become a habit. The flight
••mm living over In Wells »treat. Mr.
from New York bad deprived him of Droom ?" went on Graydon. thorough
but little In worldly good*. Hla III got J ly at home with the man whom he had
ten gains came with him, and Invest­ feared and despta«! by stages from
ments were just as easy and juat as childhood up.
safe In Chicago as in New York Now
"It's goral enough for me.” said
he saw a chance to wring a handsome 1 Deoom shortly. "'Tlsn't Michigan
sum from tbe rich woman whose only
the Drive or Lincoln 1‘ark
poaMemlon bad lieen love when he first
knew ber. If the secret of Jane's
I
"There's nothing against Well*
street, but ft got ashamed of itself
when It crossed the river.”
"They call It Fifth avenue." sneered
Droom. "but It Isn't the avenue. Is it?"
Bansemer was surpr.ietl to note a tone
of affectionate pride lu tbe question.
“No Indeed!”
"Oh. there's only one, Mr. Graydon,"
said the old clerk quite warmly; “our
own Fifth avenue!"
“I liad no idea you cared so much
fur swagger things, Mr. Droom," ob­
served tbe other, genuinely surprised.
"Even Broadway Is heaven to tne,”
said Droom, some of the rasp gone
from his voice. "Goodby. I got this
way," he said when they reached the
sidewalk a little later. TUu young man
watched his gaunt figure as It slouched
away in the semldarkness.
“By George, tbe old chap Is netu Uly
homesick!" muttered he.
“I didn't
think It was in him.”
Drooin bad rooms over a millinery
shop In Wells street. There was a
bedroom at the back and a "living
room" In front, overlooking ti e street
from tbe third story of the buildiug.
Of tbe bedchamber there is but llitla
1
There was a ttartled, piteous look in her
eye*
to any, except that It contained a tied,
a washstnnd. a mirror, two straight
backed chnfrn and a clothespress,
Drootn went out for his iMtb -every
Raturdny night. The "living room."
however, was queer In more ways than
one. In one corner on a chest of draw­
ers stood his oil stove, while In the op­
posite corner a big sheet iron heater
made Itself conspicuous.
Flrewissl
was plied Itehlnd the stove winter and
«ummer, Drisitu lamenting that one
could not safely discriminate between
tbe seasons In Chicago. The chest of
drawers contained hla stock of pro­
visions, his cooking and table utensils.
his medicine and a small assortment of
-arpeuter's tools. He had no use for
an Icebox.
A Isiokcase. old enough to warm the
heart of tbe most ardent antiquarian,
held hla small and unusual collection
of books. Standing side by side on
the same shelf were French romance*
and tbe Holy Bible, much liethumbed
and peuclled. There were schooilssiki
alongside of »entlinentnl love tales.
Greek lexicons and quaint old fulry
stories, law b»s>ks and works on crim­
inology; iHMiks on botany, geology,
anatomy and physics. In all perhaps
there were 200 volumes. A life of N'a
poleon revealed signs of almost con­
stant usage There were three por-
traits Of the t'onilcan on the dingy
green walls.
The sirsugo chnrn<-ter of the man
was l>est shown by the pictures that
udoruetl or rather disfigured the wulls.
X ulgar photographs and prints were to
I e seen on ull sides. Mingled with
these cheap creations were excellent
copies of famous Madonnas, quaint
Bcrlptural al.uw Ings, engravings of tbe
Saviour and an allegorical colore«A
print which emphasized tbe Joys of
heaven. There was also a badly drawn
but l<!e”'lx» '. portrait of Droom. doua
lu crayon nt the age of twenty. This
portrait wus one of bls prised posses­
sion». lie loved it liest because it was
a bust and <11*1 not expose bls longitu­
dinal defects, if Drisim ever bad en­
tertained a feminine visitor In Ills
npiirtmeuts. there Is uo record of the
fact. But few men had seen the inte­
rior of Ills home, and they had gonw
away with distressed, perplexed »nns|-
bllltles.
He cooked his own meals on the oil
stove and. alone, ate them from l be lit*
tie table that stood near the heater,
Occasionally lie weut»out to a nearby
eating house for a lonely feast, His
ro hum usually reeked with the odor of
Isilled coffee, burned cabbage and
grease, pungent chemicals and long
»uttering lied linen. Of his “front"
room It may be said that It was kitch­
en. dining room, parlor, library, work­
shop, laboratory and conservatory.
Four flowertMita. In which aa many
geraniums existed with difficulty de­
spite Dnsim's constant and unwaver­
ing care, occupied a conspicuous place
on tbe window sills overlooking tbe
street. He watched over them with
all the tender solicitude of a lover, sur­
prising aa It may appear when one
pauses to consider the vicious exterior
of tbe man.
(Continued Next Week.)
HCIttM BIKE FOR THE (H ARD.
CASTOR IA
For Infanta and Children.
Thi Kind You Have Always Bought
Baars the
Signatur» ol