Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1925-08-05
The End of the
lead

BY DUFORD JENNIE

ness deeper than the dusk of the
night-swept city outside settled upon
him-the black darkness of despair.
That means good-by to my bust
.ness-good-by TO my dreams of
home with Avery" he muttered, and
trembled with the sheer shock of the
truth.
Martin! The name stung. If he
only knew what Martin would bid on
that special contract-the only man in
a position to take the contract from
him!
Then-Avery! She was Martins
special stenographer. She could get
the figures of Martins bid; and he,
Seward. could bid just point under
and he and his dreams would be
safe-Safe,
Just to get those precious figures
that was all, a little thing, to do Mar
tin was INSCRIPTIONS; why not play
his game against him
The perspiration broke out on
Seward's forehead; the office air
seemed close Then he thought of
Avery, bue-eyed, pretty, waiting five
long years for him to get his business
going-and now.
Seward jumped to his feet and
slammed his desk cover down. The
end of the road pitching down before
him into a dark pit Of despair. of lost
hope. and ashes of dreams. No. any
thing but that !-anything but that!-
his mind repeated.
He hurried to Averys boarding
house.
She listened with widening eyes to
his hot reasoning as he explained the
situation.
spoke gently. Dear, you are half
crazed. You don't want me to do that
l know he does dishonest things III
our way Of looking"
Avery, it's that or nothing! If you
won't help. why-I-I simply give up !!
If you love me. you'll help me just
now" he urged with cold grimness,
moved by one impelling desire.
He left her white-faced and tren-
! bling, but she assented.
Her goodnight kiss was as warm
and tender as of old, but her small
hand fingered long in his, and even
through mis- stormy mind for an in
slant flashed feeling that it was the
hand-clasp of farewell, but the feeling
passed.
He slept that night the deep sleet
of exhaustion that follows hours OF
! anxiety-the peace of crisis passed,
! decision made right or wrong.
In the morning a messenger brought
/ her note-and the precious figures
were his.
Swiftly ne made out his papers ant
! mailed them; then back to his Office
he went-his future and his business
secure, the travail Of the tough years
/ at end.
He took Avery's picture from the
little folder in his desk and looked
, long at the serene, gentle face that
| meant so much to him. He dreamt a
! bit of the days to be with her.
/
thought-and with the word worthy
something broke within him. The
distorted vision of his over wrought
mind cleared, cold winds seemed to
blow upon him. chilling the fever with
in him. and he saw no longer darkly
He sat dumb stricken. And l
using her love for me, drove her into
this. I must have been insane
! mad ~
There was just one thing to do. He
grabbed his hat, paused at the door
of the office and looked back. 1.-The
end of the road for me and my hopes
but It isn't going to end in dishonor"
Fifteen minutes later he was ush-
cred into Martins private office The
harsh face of the older man turned to
him questioningly.
Quietly, frankly Seward told him
the whole story, not sparing himself
in any way-hOw he had driven Avery
into her act; and he said In closing:
"Of course. I shall not undertake the
contract even If I get it,"
MdEllH lOHcu Will pthNll. -
shady move that seemed to win
Young man, show no mercy in this
game-I got none in my YOUTH
Stewards heart sank as he watched
the impassive face. If Martin did as
he could do, it meant disgrace for
Avery and himself-public shame fOl
Avery! His lips went dry.
However" Martin went on, Miss
Hudson came to me and told me what
you wanted. l gave her the figures
Stunned as if by blow. Seward
stared at him, then leaped to his feet
with a strangled cry. Avery had told
him!
Martin rose himself. II hate to lose
her, but this waiting game is ridicu
lous. Marry her-she will play the
game with you, and you'll both find II