Evening star., 1923-11-13
with the hurt of a dumb animal in

! with the hurt Of a dumb animal In
his eyes at the top of the staircase.
It's all my fault" the old man
whispered, and fell to twisting his
| hands together once more. But
but thought she'd be safe with me"
For a long time he seemed to pom
der his own words. and gradually
they seemed to bring an added bur-
den upon him, and heavily now he
drew his hand across his eyes.
why amt l dead?" he whispered.
IT amt never been no good to her.
Twenty years. it is-twenty years.
Just old Notwithstanding old Haw-
kins-that she loves cause she's sorry
for him"
Hawkins eyes roved about the
Il remember the night 1 brought
| her here" He was still whispering to
himself. ''In there. 1t was. I took
fss nn He jerked 1,,s his hand nsr. yoo
was the pawnshop then. God. all
| those years ago-and-and ! amt
never bought her back again. and she
amt known no father but. Paul.
and" His voice traiied off and
He sank his chin in his hands.
Occasionally he heard the murmur
| OF voices from above, occasionally the
sound of movement through the
! closed door that separated him from
| DR.. Crang; but he did not move or
speak again until Paul Veniza came
down the stairs and stood before him.
Hawkins searched the others face.
Tit amt true, is II, what she
said?" he questioned. almost fiercely.
She didn't really mean it. did she'
Paul."
Paul Veniza turned his head away.
"Yes. she meant it," he answered in
a low voice: II don't understand.
She wouldn't give me any explana-
ton"
Hawkins cIinched his fists suddenly.
But didn't you tell her what kind
of a man Crang is? Good God. Paul.
didn't you tell her what he is?"
"She knows it without my telling
her" Paul Veniza said. in a dun tone.
But I told her again: I told her II
was impossible. incredible. Her only
answer was that it was inevitable"
But she doesn't love him! She
, can't love him. Hawkins burst out.
There's never been anything between
them before
mo, she doesn't love him. OF
course, she DOESN'T Paul Veniza said,
as though speaking to himself he
looked at Hawkins suddenly under
knitted brows. And she says she she
never saw that other man in her life
before until he stepped into the car.
She says she only went out tonight be-
cause thy were so urgent about 1t up at
the house. and that she felt every
thing would be perfectly safe with
you driving the car | can't make
anything out of it.
Hawkins drew the sleeve of his
coat across his brow. 1t was cool
in the room, but little beads of moisture
were standing out on his forehead.
"I amt brought her nothing but
harm all my life,'' he said. brokenly.
; Don't take it that way. old friend"'
Paul Veniza's hands sought the other
shoulders. Il don't see how you are
to blame for this. Claire said that
other man treated her with all cour-
tesy. and LETT the car after you had
gone around the block; and she doesn't
| wounded any more than we do-and
| any way, 1t can't have anything to do
with her marrying DR.. Crang."
whats she doing now?'' demanded
Hawkins, abruptly. 'She's up there
| crying her heart out. amt she?''
! Paul Neniza did not answer.
Hawkins Strengthened up. A sud
den dignity came to the shabby old
what hold has that devil got on
| my little girl?' he cried out, sharply.
"I'll make him pay for it, so help me
Ssh" Paul Veniza caught hur-
riedly at Hawkins arm. BE careful.
old friend!' he warned. Not so loud,
She might hear you"
Hawkins cast a timorous. startled
glance in the direction of the stairs.
He seemed to shrink again into a
stature as shabby as his clothing.
His lips twitched: he twisted his
hands together.
yes" he mumbled: 'yes, she-she
might hear me-" He stared around
the room: and then, as though blindly,