Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-20
LIE SPOKE aloud to himself again,
L 1 as be npnronchcd the door of Paul

old man terccly '0nd she H. my little
girl. Ii don't change nothing her not
Knowing. cxccp'--eScent she ain't hid.
ing her face in shame. and Hawkins
"oi;c broke Il littlc--''and that | aint
never had her In these arms like I'd
ought to have \ CLEAN of anger
came suddenly into the watery blue eyes
under the, shaggy brows. But he ain't
going TO have her in his. That devil
ircm the pit of hell amt going to kill
, the soul Of my little girl--somchow he
ain't-that's all ! got to live for--old
liGwkins--ha. ha somehow old liaw-
kins L.
Hawkins suliloquy ended abruptly.
lie was startled to find himself in the
act Of opening the front door of the
one.timc pawn shop. lie even hcsi-
tat"d. holding the door ajar--and then
suddenly he pushed the door wider open
and stepped softly inside. as the sound
4 of voice. angry and threatening in its
tones. though strangely low and nuf-
fed. reached him. lie knew that voice
1t was Dr. Crang's.
II was dark here in the room that
had once been the Office of the pawn
shop. and unon which the front door
opened directly: but from under the
door leading into the rear room there
showed thread of light. and it was
from there that Hawkins now placed the
voice
II" stood irresomtr. He stared around
him. Upstairs It was dark. Paul
Nrniza. bccaus" he had not been we'll.
had probably gone 70 bed early--unless
ii was Paul in there with Crang. No.
lie caught the sound of Claire's voice
now. and it seemed to come to him
brokenly. In strangely tired. drcary
way. And then Crang's voice again,
and IN ugly lnugh.
The wrinkl"d skin of Hawkins old
weather. beaten hands grew taut and
white across the knucklps aS his fists
rrnchcd. lie tiptoed toward the door.
lie could hear distinctly now. 1t was
Crang speaking
80" I'm not fool. I did not
speak about it to make you lie again.
don't care whore you met him, or how
Iong you had been lovers before he
crawled in here. That's nothing to
do with it, It's enough that know
you were lovers before that night. But
you belong to me now. Understand: |
spoke of it because the sooner you real
izr that You are the on" who is the
rniS" Of the trouble between Bruce and
me. thr bctter--for him, ! wasn't
"rowding you before. but I'm through
fooling with it now for keeps. let you
20 TOO long as II Is. Today. for just
little while. he won out yes. by heav-
f. ems, if you want the truth. he nearly
killed me. He got me tied in cabin OF
a ship that sailed this afternoon for
South America; but the engines broke
down in the harbor. and. damn him,
I'm back You know what for. Nv"
told you. There's one way to save him.
I've told you what that is. too. I'm
waiting for your answer.
+ why should it be me- Claire :
voice was dull and colorlc>s. 'Why
! cannot you leave me alone--I. who hate
! and lonthe you? DO you look for hap
/ pinrss with ne: There will he none.
{ "Why should it be YOU" Crnng'S :
! voice was suddenly hoarsc with passion.
"Hecause YOU have set my brain on
f~. because YOU hav" filed me with
madness
Do yoU understand-Clairc: Clair"
DO you understand: Because | want
you. because I'm going to have YOU,
because I'm going 10 own you--yrs,
own you. one way or anuthcr--by mar
riage. Oh
\ low cry came from Claire. 1t
tore at Hawkins heart in its bitter
shame and anguish. His face blanrhcd.
We'll. You asked for it. and YOU
got it, Crang snnrled. ''Now. I'm
wait!n. for your answer.
. There was n long pause. then claire
spok" with an obvious "fort to steady
her voice.
"IInvr got to buy him twice."
You haven't bought him once Yet.
trGng answered swiftly. II performed
my l"r' "f III" bargain. | haven't been
paid.
And Hawkins. standing there. lis.
tening. heard nothin. for long time
and then he distinguished Claire voi"r,
bur il was 80 low that he could Ert
catch the words. But he heard Crang'
reply hccausr il was loud with what
seemed ike passionate savngery and
triumph
"You +" wise. my dear. AT : o'cl"cl
tomorrow morning, then. And s!nr,
! Mr.. John Hrucr's skin Is involved ir
this. you quite understand that h" l.
not t" b" communicated with Ill any
way:'
'! understand. Hawkins this tim,
caught the almost lnaudibIr reply.
"All right" trang said. There:
4 padr" know: who's down on Stat"'
Island now. Well go down there am
be married without any fuss. I'll be
here at \ orlock Your father Isn't
1T t. rid" in that ratt!e-trap old bu,
If yours. III hnv" Il "onfortabl,
liuluu>lu" for him. and yun can 20 with
him. Hawkins can drive Inc, and -
hr was laughing y"ft.y y-''und be my
best man. I'll SEQ that he knows about
II in tia" to- ~
Like II blind man. Hawkins Wu>
cropping hi, way toward the front door
Married They were t. be nlarri"n