The Glenwood post., 1923-03-01
The Point of
Honor
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
:: By MYRA CURTIS LANE s
Observation-Disclosures
20. 1929. western Newspaper Union.5

higgins always entered the Rlcn-
mond place with sense of awe, de-
spite his millions. The Richmonds
inherited all the pride of the Pill
grims, and their recent losses had not
lessened it. Tradition, birth-that
was what Higgins needed, at forty
three, to offset the money he had
made in Wall street.
Old Squire Richmond rose to meet
him in his library.
"Well, we've pulled through that
deal and saved this place for YOU"
said Higgins complacently.
Richmonds well-bred bearing was
not proof against his revulsion.
"Thank Godl" he muttered. "It-it
means lot to me-to Doreen and me,
you know, Higgins" he said. We've
owned Park Manor for nearly 300
years."
He led his visitor to the mantel,
where, carved in the old oak, was
the coat of arms and family motto
brought from England.
"Semper fidelis," quoted Richmond.
Might translate it Stand by" He
looked apologetic for his lapse into
sentiment. 1--WE Richmonds haven't
distinguished ourselves of late" he
said-he meant in the last century,
but we've done our best to live up
to the OLD motto"
"Quite sO,' said Higgins. "By the
way. squire, | wanted to say-er-
you know Doreen and l."
The old mans eyes narrowed. He
looked intently at the other. 'l-er-
that rests, of course, with Doreen,"
he answered stitly.
Higgins found Doreen in the gold
and white morning room. He watched
her pale. classic face: no sign of emo
tion stirred it. She was the price
of her fathers lands and home; how
he admired the breeding with which
she awaited his entrance.
'Doreen'-he tsok her hand, con-
scious of a sudden wild desire for her
-"you know what I've come for.
want you as my wife. VIII you marry
me?"
"I suppose So" answered Doreen
listlessly.
A week later Higgins got up from his
office desk in town. He hung up the
telephone for the last time. He made
his way out into the street. He
was ruined beyond redemption.
Ruined by that unexpected com
bination of his enemies. But he had
paid his debts; he stepped out into
the world with honor untarnished.
He could build up again, with his few
hundreds.
And he laughed bitterly as he
thought how he had saved old Rich
mond, only to go under himself. Well,
that affair was at an end.
Because it was always his instinct
to face the worst manfully, he made
his way to the station and caught the
New England train. Toward night
he was approaching the Richmond
place. How peaceful everything was
And a sudden desire for Doreen, for
her surroundings, her personality,
everything that had been hers famed
up in him as he strobe up the steps
and rang the bell.
He went into Richmond's library.
81 don't know whether you've heard
the news yet he said, but I'm broke.
Lost everything. Lucky to pull you
out of your hole in the nick of time.
OF course, under the circumstances,
Doreen's free"
"Er-waitw Tie old man had risen
to his feet. Was that relief upon
those granite features? Higgins did
not know that one could suffer so
much.
"Oh, don't trouble about me. I'll
get on my feet again, some day." he
said, rs he made his way out into the
hall.
Doreen was at the door Of the
morning room you've heard?"
asked Higgins. They've got me
down, broken me-" He laughed un-
steadily. ''Tm pauper. Doreen. OF
course, under the circumstance"
Anger flared up. The very walls of
the old place seemed mocking him.
as If they had eluded bis grasp at
the moment when he was sure of vic
tory. And Doreen, like lily, stand
Ing there, no change of expression on
her high-bred face
"Under the circumstances, l mus,
and do release you. You can't marry
pauper, you know" said Higgins un-
easily. He hated her breeding. he
felt course beside her. and this con
seriousness of lnferiority goaded him
into insult. you've got higher game
In view." He was fumbling for the
door latch. and did not hear old Rich
mond coming up behind him in his
slippered feet until his hand dropped
on his shoulder.
"Er-don't be in such hurry, Hig.
gins" he said. 1--WE knew all about
1t before you came. Doreen and L
ah !--said what II pity 1t was. but
you'd need your friends under the
oh OF N