Evening star., 1923-11-20

must pay, blow that brought his
chin chin, crumpling down upon his
OF remaining strength he hurled
himself at Crang. and Crang's foot
stumbled out into space over the
topmost stair, and with a scream of
infuriated surprise the man pitched
backward.
John Bruce grasped with both
! hands at the banister for support.
Something went rolling, rolling, roll
ing down the stairs with queer, dull
humps. like a sack OF meal. His
hands slipped from the banister, and
he sat Imply down on the topmost
, step and laughed. He laughed be-
cause that curious-looking bundle
at the bottom there began series of
, fruitless efforts to roll back up the
stairs again.
And then the front door opened.
He could see it from where he sat.
and Paul Veniza-that was Paul
Neniza wasn't it-stepped into the
room below, and cried out. and ran
toward the bundle at the foot of the
stairs.
John Bruce felt some one suddenly
hold him back from pitching down
the stairs himself, but neverthel less
[ he kept on falling and falling into
some great pit that grew darker and
darker the farther he went down.
and this in spite of some one who
| tried to hold him back, and-and who
had face that looked like Claire's.
only 1t was as-as white as driven
snow. And as he descended into the
blackness some one screamed at him:
screamed 1t again--only the voice
kept growing fainter. And - and
then he could neither see nor hear
any more.
When John Bruce opened his eyes
again he was lying on his cot. A
little way from him, their back $
turned, Claire and Paul Veniza were
whispering earnestly together. He
| watched them for a moment and
gradually as his senses became
Claire's words:
He Is not safe here for a moment.
Father, we must get him away. l
am afraid. There is not d threat DR..
Crang made tonight but that he is
quite capable of carrying out"
But he is safe for tonight" Paul
Veniza answered soothingly. II got
Crang home to bed. and. as I told you.
he is too badly bruised and knocked
about to move around any before
morning at least
And yet l am afraid" Claire in
sisted, anyiously. Fortunately, Mr..
Bruce's wound hasn't opened, and he
could be moved. Oh, if Hawkins only
hadn't" She stopped and twisted
| her hands together nervously.
Paul Veniza coughed, averted his
head suddenly and in turning met
John Bruce'S eyeS-and stared In a
startled way.
Claire" John Bruce called softly.
oh" she cried and ran toward
Yes" smiled John Bruce. And I
have been listening. Why isn't, it
safe for me to stay here any longer?
On account of Crang's wild threats?"
Yes" she said in a low voice.
John Bruce laughed.
But you don't believe them, do
you don't take them literally"
Claire's lips were trembling.
There is no other way to take
them" She was making an effort to
steady her voice. 1T is not a ques-
too well that he will carry them out
If he can. You are not safe here,
or even in New York now-but less
safe here IN this house than anywhere
else"
John Bruce came up on his elbow.
Then, Claire. isn't this the end"
he demanded passionately. You
know him for what he is. You do
not love him, for I distinctly heard
you tell him that you loathed him.
as 1 went up the stairs. Claire. l
am not asking for myself now-only
here, to whom it will mean so much.
that you have now no further thought
of ma rriage with that"-John Bruce's
voice choked-"with Crang."
She shook her head.
81 cannot tell you that" she said,
DULY, for I am going to marry Dr.
Crang."
John Bruce's face hardened. He
looked at Paul Veniza. The old
pawnbroker had his eyes on the
floor, and was ruffling his white hair
helplessly with his fingers.
"Why?" John Bruce asked.
Because I promised" Claire said.
slowly.
But a promise like that" John
Bruce burst out. "A promise that
You will regret all your life is"
"No!" Her face was half averted;
her head was lowered to hide the
tears that suddenly welled into her
eyes. NO; it is promise tnat /
that I am glad now l made"
Glad" John Bruce sat upright
She had turned her head away from
the cot. He could not see her face.
Glad" he repeated incredulously.
Yes" Her voice was scarcely au-
dlble.
For n moment John Bruce stared at
her; then bitter smile frightened
his lips, and he lay back on the cot.
and turned on his side away from
both Claire and Paul EeniZa.
again, only Paul Veniza was in the
room.
II don't understand said Pau,
veniza-he was still ruffiing his hair
still with his eyes on the floor.
Il do" said John Bruce grimly.