Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-11-17
CHAPTER TX.
The Coaspirafers.

Inc COA1pix0f0rB.
John Bruce fumbled In the pocket
! Of his dressing gown and produced
a cigarette; but he was a long time
| In lighting it.
Hawkins" he, demanded abruptly.
ais Paul Veniza in the house now?'
Hes upstairs. think" Hawkins
! answered. do you want himr'
"Yes-in a moment" said John
Bruce slowly. ave been thinking
good deal while you were talking. I
| can only see things one way: and
that is the time has come when you
! should take your place as Clatre's
The old man drew back. startled.
Tell Claire?" he whispered. Then
| he shook his head miserably. mo.
no! I haven't earned the right. i
| I can't break my word to Paul"
Il do not ask you to break your
| word to Paul. I want you to earn
| the right-now."
Hawkins was still shaking his
head.
-. Earn "a, ut it nj. nowTafter all these
by promising that you won't drink
| any more" said John Bruce quietly.
| Hawkins eyes went to the moor.
| "Promtse!" he said In a shamed
\ twenty years. Paul wouldn't believe
| me. I wouldn't believe myself. I
| went and got drunken than I've been
in all my life the night that dog
said he was going to marry c'sirs
! wouldn't listen to anything Paul
could say to her against IT,"
| Il would believe YOU said John
Bruce gravely.
glowed, while tears came into the old
| blue eyes-and then he turned hur-
riedly and walked to the window.
his back to John Brue.
In his voice. You don't know mo.
Nobody that know. me would take
| 81 know this" said John Bruce
steadily, that you have never been
here now. You'd stop. and stop for
| ever, wouldn't you. IL 1t meant
| Claire's happiness, her future. her
/ salvation from the horror and degra-
dation and misery and utter hope.
| is lost to every sense Of decency must
| bring her? / would believe you *
you promised under those conditions.
It seems to me to be the only chance
she believes Paul Is her father and
accepts him as such. and neither biz
influence nor his arguments VIII
move her from her determination to
marry Crang; but I think there 10
she is brought to her own father
through this very thing. I think u
you are in each others arms AZ last
after all these years from just that
cause 1t might succeed where every.
thing else failed. But this much is
sure. It has a chance Of success. and
you owe Claire that chance. VIII
you take It. Hawkins7 Will you
I - mha.e snsvsr frorn the
window do only the he shaking Of the old
f, mans shoulders.
'Hawkins." said John Bruce softly:
wouldn't 1t be very wonderful IL
| SELF; and wonderful. too. to know the
| Joy OF your own daughters lover
The old man turned suddenly from
F, the window. his arms stretched out
before him as though In intense
almost Of NOBILITY in. the gray head
| held high on bent shoulders, some.
thing Of greatness. In the old win
| killed. face that seemed to exah the
worn and shabby. clothes hanging 50
| Your promise. Hawkins" said
John Bruce in low voice. "Wiil
| you promise?
". "Yes-so help me, God! But
he faltered suddenIy--"but Paul"
ask Paul to come down here"
said John Bruce. II have someshtne
to say to both OF you-more than
swer for Paul"
The old cab driver obeyed mschan-
icalIy. He crossed the room and went
out John Bruce hoard him mount.
followed by the tall. straight white
haired igure Of Paul venisa.
Hawkins closed the door behind
them.
Paul veniza turned sharply az the
.Ss a ana His wsn. n
as he looked at John Bruce. John
Bruce's face was set.
what Is the matterr' inquired
Paul veniza anxiously.
Iu.,ie w story, 0a sa, d John Bruce ssri:
ously-and in a few words he told
Paul veniza, as he had told Haw-
kins, Of his love for Claire ana the
events of the night that had brought
this afternoon" John Bruoe ended.
at asked Claire to marry me and she
told me she was going TO marry Dr..
II Crang."
growing anxiety. casttng troubled
and uncertain siances the while at
yes" he said In q low voice.
John Bruce spoke abruptly:
paul venfza, with q sudden start,
stared at Hawkins. and then sort
Of kindly tolerance dswned In his
my poor friend!" said Paul venisa
as though he were comforting q way
| ward child, and went over ana laid
his hand additionally on Hawkins
| arm.