The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-03-01

the news my heart got into my throat
and stayed there. He's so devilishly
pertinacious, that Hewlett fellow, I
was half OF a mind that he would
hurry round and pour some lying story
into the old mans ears and somehow
contrive to keep his strangle-hOld on
you. But guess he didn't have the
nerve. Take it from me. you won't
see him again, Estelle He's probably
miles away by now. with all the
money that his dupes trusted him
with
In the old days in the foundry Hew.
lett had been famous for striking be-
fore speaking. Its a word and q
blow with John Hewlett" was said Of
him. Now hearing this. he felt his
temples sufused with blood; involun-
tarily he put out his hands and the
Japanese screen toppled over. Next
moment he was standing in front Of
Estelle and his traducer. All the de.
corum acquired through years Of pain.
full self mastery had vanished. and he
was elemental in his fury. His fists
were clenched. his face was purple.
and he rocked slightly, like an In
furia'ed beast
Il heard you" he beloved. Il heard
you, IL won't hurt you in Miss
Lambert's presence. But I'm going to
speak to her alone Get OUT"
"Mr HEWLETT" cried Estelle. spring
ing to her feet. pale with anger
please remember that you are both
my guests"
Hewlett's hands fell to his sides.
He felt himself trembling. At that
moment Admiral Lambert entered the
room quietly, stepped up. and took
his place between the men.
Come. Hewlett, my dear fellow"
he began. whats the matter be-
tween you and Mr.. Faning?"
MAY I be allowed to speak," In
CURED flaming ironically. He stood
up. cool enough. although his hands
were shaking. 1T amounts to this:
That man is a pauper. His house has
failed. And think" he continued.
with little bow, that he has come
here to tell you So"
'-Ycs. you're right" cried Hewlett
| and al his rage came back. Never
before had he been baked by circum.
| N I'M
he wanted to use his mighty fists, and
not being able to. felt Inundated and
imootcnt YES. I've lost all my
money" he shouted And | came TO
| tell Miss Lambert so-not you, ad
miral, but Miss Lambert. because It's
her right to know
And think Mr. Hewlett Is angry
that Mr.. flaming should have told me
first put in Estcile Indignantly.
Hewlett looked round at the calm.
collected witnesses of his helpless
rage. He was very like bear being
baited by hounds. I'ut in that mo-
ment a sense of dignity came to him,
something finer than his normal SELL
which lifted him above his passion
and left him cooler than all.
Lets come to the point" he said
II have asked Mr. flaming to with
draw. Now can proceed. ! have
lost every penny have, but I've paid
my debts and I'm going to start life
over again-and win I've always won.
But I've lost one thing. came to say
that. wish to release Miss Lambert
from our engagement. 1t wouldn't be
fair"
He stopped and looked from one to
another There was something al
most pitiful in his gaze. flaming
shifted uneasily.
with your permission. will be
going, sir" he said to the admiral.
and. bowling to Estelle he went out OF
the room Outside he paused and
grinned. Success was his now; he
had heard enough; Hewlett had hope
lessly lost-why. the coarseness OF
the man had shown through the polish
like raw wood under coat OF var
nish. He chuckled all the way home
Inside there was dead silence
Then the admiral spoke.
"Why wouldn't 1t be fair" he asked
why" stammered Hewlett why
why"
Admiral Lambert came forward and
clasped the other by the hand.
Il can't speak for Estelle. john
he said, but think you are doing
us both a wrong. hope you are. |
believe, John. that this misfortune has
swept away barrier-a barrier which
was once almost invisible. but has
been growing higher and stronger
the barrier that you yourself have op-
posed to your own happiness. ] mean
your pride. John. and your self-depre-
citation. But can't answer for Es
telle. Perhaps she can answer
He passed out of the room. and
Hewlett. not understanding stood
staring after him beside the door. He
stood as if in a dream till the rustic
If a soft garment at his side caused
him to start violently Estelle stood
by him.