Jane Cable | Page 8

lower and poorer classes. The rich ones who are at fault in
such matters never permit them to go to the point where a lawyer is
consulted. "Would you mind coming in to-morrow? I'm just leaving for
the day."
"It will take but a few minutes, sir, and it would be very hard for me to
get away again to-morrow," said the young woman nervously. "I'm a
governess in a family 'way uptown and my days are not very free."
"Is this your baby?" asked Bansemer, more interested. The word
governess appealed to him; it meant that she had to do with wealthy
people, at least.
"No--that is--well, not exactly," she replied confusedly. The lawyer
looked at her so sharply that she flinched under his gaze. A kidnapper,
thought he, with the quick cunning of one who deals in stratagems.
Instinctively he looked about as if to make sure that there were no
unnecessary witnesses to share the secret.
"Come into this room," said he suddenly. "Both of you. See that we are
not disturbed," he added, to Droom. "I think I can give you a few
minutes, madam, and perhaps some very good advice. Be seated," he
went on, closing the door after them. His eyes rested on Broom's face
for an instant as the door closed, and he saw a particularly irritating
grin struggling on his thin lips. "Now, what is it? Be as brief as possible,
please. I'm in quite a hurry."
It occurred to him at this juncture that the young woman was not
particularly distressed. Instead, her rather pretty face was full of
eagerness and there was a certain lightness in her manner that puzzled
him for the moment. Her companion was the older of the two and quite
as prepossessing. Both were neatly dressed and both looked as though
they were or had been bread-winners. If they had a secret, it was now
quite evident to this shrewd, quick thinker that it was not a dark one. In
truth, he was beginning to feel that something mischievous lurked in
the attitude of the two visitors.
"I want to ask how a person has to proceed to adopt a baby," was the

blunt and surprising remark that came from the one who held the infant.
Bansemer felt himself getting angry.
"Who wants to adopt it?" he asked shortly.
"I do, of course," she answered, so readily that the lawyer stared. He
scanned her from head to foot, critically; her face reddened perceptibly.
It surprised him to find that she was more than merely good-looking;
she was positively attractive!
"Are you a married woman?" he demanded.
"Yes," she answered, with a furtive glance at her companion. "This is
my sister," she added.
"I see. Where is your husband?"
"He is at home--or rather, at his mother's home. We are living there
now."
"I thought you said you were a governess?"
"That doesn't prevent me from having a home, does it?" she explained
easily. "I'm not a nurse, you know."
"This isn't your child, then?" he asked impatiently.
"I don't know whose child it is." There was a new softness in her voice
that made him look hard at her while she passed a hand tenderly over
the sleeping babe. "She comes from a foundling's home, sir."
"You cannot adopt a child unless supported by some authority," he said.
"How does she happen to be in your possession; and what papers have
you from the foundling's home to show that the authorities are willing
that you should have her? There is a lot of red tape about such matters,
madam."
"I thought perhaps you could manage it for me, Mr. Bansemer," she
said, plaintively. "They say you never fail at anything you undertake."
He was not sure there was a compliment in her remark, so he treated it
with indifference.
"I'm afraid I can't help you." The tone was final.
"Can't you tell me how I'll have to proceed? I must adopt the child, sir,
one way or another." Her manner was more subdued and there was a
touch of supplication in her voice.
"Oh, you go into the proper court and make application, that's all," he
volunteered carelessly. "The judge will do the rest. Does your husband
approve of the plans?"
"He doesn't know anything about it?"

"What's that?"
"I can't tell him; it would spoil everything."
"My dear madam, I don't believe I understand you quite clearly. You
want to adopt the child and keep the matter dark so far as your husband
is concerned? May I inquire the reason?" Bansemer, naturally, was
interested by this time.
"If you have time to listen, I'd like to tell you how it all comes about. It
won't take long. I want someone to tell me just what to do