Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-03-21
IN dust and ASHES


personality was magnet-like. 1t was
not only that Hazel was pretty that
men were attracted to her. Her In
| difference to their love-making and
her daring in conduct had much to dc
with her vogue.
Withal, Hazel was designing TIC
her men were mere instruments to car
ry out her will. to arrange her pleas
ures. And she used them freely and
rcklessly. She was not discreet. She
made little effort to conceal her mo-
tives. Her suitors were constantly
changing. They paid gallant court to
| her at first, but they did not remain
long. But Hazel only laughed and
tossed her blonde head smartly. THE
world is full of men! What care ~"
When Ellis Wingate laid siege to
Hazel's heart, it was said that he gave
his soul to her. He was her slave
No cut was unkind enough to lessen
his devotion. He bore his cross
bravely, and Hazel was pleased. Here
was enc with whom she could show
off, h'r power, Here was one who
would always be at her service. Here
was one upon whom she could depend
In any crisis. Her friends said that
she would break his heart" Never
would he recover from her cruelty
they declared. Some went so far az
to say that he might be suicide
when she finally discarded him.
why In the world do you hang
about me?" Hazel asked in contemptu'
Gus tone one day before group OF
admirers. Cant you see that you an
noy me?"
Yes see that" replied the faith
full Ellis. but love you"
Hazel laughed as If it were a joke
II want you to stay away from here
until send for YOU"
VERY WE'LL" answered Ellis. and
went away.
From that day on, the tide In Ha'
| zel's fortune began to ebb. She was
losing her control over her pupils
They did not regard her with the
same respect and love. There were
difficulties with the school board
Rumors were afloat that she was seen
too much with gay companions.
One evening when Hazel was motor
ing very late with merry party along
lonely road at high speed. some.
thing unfortunate happened. Their
automobile collided with another auto.
mobile, and prominent man was kill
ed. They tried to suppress the story.
but were unsuccessful All the details
were headlined in the newspapers.
Hazel was asked to resign from the
teaching staff Of the school.
She turned to her men friends to
extricate her from the blight Of the
unsavory publicity. One by one. she
asked for advice and help. But none
was interested. None was ready to
help her in her extremity. Hazel in
tears was quite another girl from Ha.
eel in a coountte's mood. She thought
of Ellis Wingate. ..3, j..
"Ah, why didn't 60 to Ellis be-
fore! He Is the one to help mel"
Then Hazel began to think, Ellis
Wingate took on new light in hel
eyes. She was cured of flirting. She
had had enough of gay companions
She was afraid of the future that
stretched so menacingly before her;
She needed a strong mans arm to
lean upon. What arm was there SO
strong as Ellis Wingate's? Was he
not a splendid type of man? Would
he not make an excellent husband
Would he not shield her from the
voice OF scandal? And she liked him.
She had, always liked him. Now that
she was tired Of flirting. she was ready
to--love him. Yes. to-love him!
She telephoned to him. The an.
swer came that he had moved. Where
He did not leave a forwarding ad.
dress. Hazel was surprised. Ellis
Wingate had lived in the same room
for ten years-ever since she had
known him. 1t wasn't like him to
change-not even in the matter OF
residence. She telephoned his bust
ness address the next morning.
"Mr. Wingate Is out of town for a
few days Will you leave NUMBER"
Here indeed, was a changed Ellis!
Several days passed, but Ellis Win.
gate did not answer her summons.
Hazel cried. She did not sleep at
night. Money matters were crowd.
ing her. She must have help. In des-
peraticA, she called Ellis Wingate
again.
us this you. Ellis?"
yes"
This is Hazel"
Yes"
why 49, don't-you-re-reme
Ellis?"
Il remember perfectly. Hazel
"Ellis-dear-1-I- you 10
-to-come to-see-me. ne-need
you"
I'm sorry. Perhaps you didn't
know that l have just returned from
my honeymoon. and"
But the telephone receiver had fall.
IN from Hazels quivering hand. And
| no friend was near to mend the break
In her heart.
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