Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-23

redeemed her-but, oh God, love her
Il love my little girl-and-and she
amt never going to know how much.'
His voice died away. In Its PLACE
the asthmatic gas Jet spat venomous de-
fiance at the daylight that was 80 con.
tumaciously dcriding. Its puny flame.
And after q little while Hawkins
raised his head. He looked at his
watch.
and cleared his throat.
brushed It carefully with his cont
sleeve; his shoulders, and such Of his
attire as he could reach, he brushed
with his hands; he readjusted his frayed
black cravat before the cracked mir
TOR.
I'm the best man. said Hawkins.
Oblivious to the chattering gas jet, he
descended the stairs, and went out to
the shed in the rear that housed the
travelling pawnshop.
'"The FIRST in line," said the old CAB
driver, % he climbed into the seat.
Five minutes later he drew up =, IN
consulted his watch % he got down from
his seat and entered the house. It was
twenty five minutes Of eight.
He twisted his hat awkwArdly In bis
hands, a. he entered the rear room. He
felt sudden, wild rush Of hope spring
up within him because there was no
sign Of Crang. And then the hope
died. He was. early; and, besides:
Claire had her hat on and was dressed
to 80 out. Paul Veniza, also dressed,
lay on the cot.
| No one spoke.
Then Paul Yeniza's frame was racked
with q. At Of coughing, and out Of
face ashen in pallor his eyes met Haw-
kins' in silent asony-and then he
turned his head away.
Hawkins twisted at his hat.
II came a little early" he said visit
fully. "because I thought mabbe you
might---that mabbe there might be some
chanse-1that mabbs you might
He stopped. He was looking at
Her smile seemed to cut at his heart
like q knife.
"No, Hawkins" che said in a low
voice; there 10 no change. We are
going to Staten Island. You will drive
DR.. Crang. There Is q limousine com.
ing for father and me, that will be
more comfortable for father"
Hawkins eyes went to the floor.
<"I didn't mean that kind Of o
change" he said; ,, ,.
voice broke little in spite of herself.
"Dr. Crang doesn't know that you
overheard anything last night or ,that
you know anything about the arrange
ments, $3.50 am explaining them to
you now."
Hawkins eyes were still on the floor.
1 "Ain't there nothing his voice was
thick and husky-"ain't there nothing
in all the world that any of us can
do to make you change your mind
Claire, amt there nothing, nothing at
all? John Bruce said there wasn't. and
you love John Bruce, but"
Don't, Hawkins" she cried out
pitifully.
The old shoulders came slowly up,
and the old head; and the old blue
eyes were of sudden strangely flint
! like.
"I've got to know" said Hawkins,
in dead, stubborn way.
There is nothing" she answered.
Il Hawkins eyes reverted to the floor.
He spoke now without lifting them.
''Then--then it's-it's like saying
good-by," he said, and the broken note
was back again in his voice. "It's
A its 30 many years that mabbe you We
n forgotten, but when you were a little
girl, and before you grew up, and--and
were too big for that, II used to
hold you in my arms. and you used to
, put your little arms around my neck,
and kiss me. and-and you used to say
that-Hawkins would never let the bug :
aboos get you, and-and I wonder ii
"Oh. Hawkins" Claire's eyes were
full Of tears. II remember. Dear,
dear Hawkins! And I used to call YOU
i Daddy Hawkins. Do you remember? %
: A tear found furrow and tricklcd
down the old weather. beaten face un .
checked, AZ Hawkins raised his head,
! "Clairc! Claire!" His voice trembled
in its yearning. 'Will-will you say
tbok n oyo Ia CIo; ,~o,, ~