The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-02-21
nonoy that his dapes trusted him


with"
In the old days IN the foundry Hew'
lett had been famous for striking be-
fore speaking. tits a word and a
blow with John Hewlett was gaid OF
him. Now. hearing this, he felt his
temples suffused with blood inyolun-
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 do
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
furiated 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 Howlett!" cried Estelle, spring
ing to her feet, pale with anger
please remember that you are both
my guests"
Hewletts 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. What's the matter be-
tween you and Mr. Faning?"
MAY / 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 a pauper. HIS house has
failed. Aud | think" he continued
with a 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 balked by circum'
stances; now he saw everything red
he wanted 20 use his mighty fists, and,
not being able TO, felt humiliated and
impotent. "Yes, I've last all my
money" he shouted. And ] came 70
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.. Faning 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 a 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.
Let's come to the point" he said.
II have asked Mr. flaming to with
draw. Now | can proceed. l have
lost every penny have, but I've paid
my debts and Pm going to start life
over agaln-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 De
fair"
He stopped and looked from one to
another. There was something al
most pitiful in his gaze. flaming
shifted uneasily.
with your permission, / VIII Dc
going. sir" he said to the admiral
and, bowing to Estelle, he went out OF
the room. Outside he paused ana
grinned. Success was his now; ne
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 11stelle, John,
he said, "but l think you are doing
us both a wrong. | hope you are. l
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 haze op'
posed to your own happiness. mean
your DTluG, JUN, dhu JSe+t 49, -
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. lie
stood as If 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. 1 loved you for yourself
my dear not for your money, not in
spite of ysur roughness, but because
of the heart of a man beneath 1t.
There!, I've told you and never
dared to hope the time would come. =.
And the tears that fell on his face
washed away all bitter memories OF
the past.
downright, 1912. by w. G. Chapman)