The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-04-18


and stayed there. He's SO devilishly
pertinacious. that Hewlett fellow.
was half of 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 1t 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. IT'S q word and
blow with John Hewlett" was said OF
him. Now, hearing this, he felt his
temples suffused 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 selfmastery had vanished, and he
was elemental in his fury. His fists
were clenched, his face was purple.
and he rocked slightly. like an In
furiated beast. .-.
81 heard you" he beloved. II 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
quired flaming ironically. He stood
up, cool enough, although his hands
were shaking. 1T amounts to this:
That man is pauper His house has
failed. And l think" he continued,
with little bow, that he has come
here to tell you So"
"Yes, you're right" cried Hewlett,
and all his rage came back. Never
before had he been baked by circum-
stances; now he saw everything red;
he wanted to use his mighty fists, and,
not being able to, felt Inundated and
impotent. Eyes. I've lost all my
money" he shouted. "And I 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 Estelle Indignantly.
Hewlett looked round at the calm.
collected witnesses Of his helpless
rage. He was very like q bear being
baited by hounds. But in that mo-
ment a sense of dignity came to him.
something finer than his normal self,
Which lifted him above his passion
and left him cooler than all.
Lets come to the point" he said.
81 have asked Mr.. flaming to with
draw. Now l can proceed. I 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. 4 came to say
that. I 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 a coat Of var
nish. He chuckled all the way home.
Inside there was dead silence.
Then the admiral spoke.
"Why wouldn't it be fair?" he asked
"Why?" stammered Hewlett. 'Why
why"
Admiral Lambert came forward and
clasped the other by the hand.
II can't speak for Estelle, John"
he said, "but l think you are doing
US both a wrong. hope you are.
believe, John, that this misfortune has
swept away a 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. I mean
your pride, John, and your self-depre'
citation. But l can't answer for Els
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 IL in a dream till the rustic
Of a soft garment at his side caused
him to start violently. Estelle stood
by him.
"John," she said-and there were
tears in her eyes-"John, won't you
ever understand? Well, then, I'll have
to tell you. I loved you for yourself, |
my dear, not for your money, not In
spite of your roughness, but because
of the heart OF man beneath it.
There! I've told you and 1 never
dared to hope the time would come"
And the tears that fell on his face
washed away all bitter memories OF