Evening Star Newspaper, November 16, 1923, Page 35

“PAWNED” An Vl\unll lomnno of P-?lo ‘Whose Very Being Is ged to Do the By FRANK L. idding of Others. PACKARD Author of “The Miracle Man,” “From Now On,” etc. Topyright, 1922, by Public Ledger Company. IGHT!" John Bruce echoed,| | almost fiercely. His soul 5 itself seemed suddenly to be in passionate turmoil; | it seemed to juggle two figures before | his consciousness, contrasting one with the other in most hideous fash- fon—this womén here whom he loved, who struggled to hold herself bravely who stood for all that is pure, for| all that he reverenced in a woman; and that sallow, evil-faced degener- ate—a drug fiend so lost to the shame of his vice that he pricked himself with his mi able needle quite as unconcernedly in public as one would smoke a ¢ rette—and worse—a ecrook, a thief! Was it a coward's act to tell this girl what the man_ was whom she proposed to marry?- Was it contemptibie to pull a rival such as that down from the pedestal which in some flendish way he must have erect- ed for himself? Surely she did not kuow the man for what he actually e could not know! “Right!"” , 1 have the right— both for your sal and for my own. 1 have the right my love gives me. Do You lu w how I came here that first she said, with an effort. “You You were in a fight in Rattl's d were wounded.” laughed out harshly, nd T told you the trith—as far as it went.” he said. “But do y8u know how I came to be in this locality after leaving vou in that motor car? I fol- 1 loved you from the mo- . It seems 1 the ‘FEht. to speak. an to speak. If it were an man to whom you were to ed it would be quite another |3 but you cannot know what you do not know this 1y is, or what he——" 1" she cried out, u could say would tell anything I do not al- ready kno E " said John Bruce, uppose I told you he was a criminal.” Her volce was flection. i then, he were sent to jail | sentence?” W nulfl nlarlv hlm when he came ‘Oh se do not r more about but that has T know ; but 1% _motionless, John tight grip and Beta ter weteon “Claire!” His voice choked. * does this mean? You.do not love hims v ¥ you know he is even a crimi- and yet you are going to marry ’“hnl I|old has T t on you? What is it? What damnable trap has he got you in? T am going to know, laire! I will know! it is, whatever the c: ecrush it, strangle it, your dear 1ife at any cost! Claire!" Her f.q('n had gone white: she strug- 3 herself. now what you * Her voice broke Tell me, | me go—there’s—there's Some one coming.” John Bruce's hands dropped to his sides. The door, already half open, was pushed wide, and Mawkins, the old chauffeur, stood on the threshold. And as John Bruce looked in that di- rection he was suddenly and strange- 1y consclous that somehow for the moment the old man dominated his attention even to the exclusion of Claire. There was something of curi- ous self-effacement, of humbleness, in bent, stoop-shouldered figure . who twisted a shapeless hat awkwardly in his hands, but also something of trouble and deep anx- fety in the faded blue eyes as they fixed on the girl, and yet, without meting her eyes in return, held upon her as she walked slowly now toward the door. “Dear old Hawkins,” she said, soft- lv. and laid her hand for an instant the other’s arm as she passed by nhim, “you and Mr. Bruce will be able to entertaln each other, won't you? I—I'm going upstairs for a little while.” And the old man made no_ answer, but, turning on the threshold, he watched her, his attitude, it seemed to John Bruce, one of almost pathetic wistfulness as Claire disappeared from view. {his own temerity, | her. to marry Claire? I—why? | flis eves were still on the old chaut- eur. Hawkins was no longer twisting his shapeles hat nervously in his fingers; instead, he held it now in one clench- ed hand, while with the other he closed the door behind him as he step- ped forward across the threshold and, | with squared shoulders, navrnced to- ward John Bruce, Ang then! quite as suddenly again, as ghough alarmed at e old man paused and the questionon his 1ips, aggre: sively enough framed, became Irreso- lute in tone. what's “the matter with e stammered. “What's this It was a moment before John Bruce answered, while he eyed the other from head to féot: Hawkins was not the least interesting by any means of the queer characters that came and went and centered around this one- time pawnshop of Paul Vena; but Hawkins, of them all, was the one he was least able, from what he had seen of the man. to fathom. And yet, some- how, he liked Hawkin “That's exactly what I want’ to know, , a little brusquely. “Ana" 1 Ha ns once more with cool apprais: think you are the man st able to supply the infor- in. why do you say ed, a sudden note of what seems almost trepidation in his voice. it is just a hunch,” he sald, you were the one who old bus on a cer- remember? And Jou ere abou! Therefore you must stand fairly intimate basis with the circle. I'd like to know what @ rotten crook like Doctor Crang has got on Claire Veniza that she should be willing to marry him when she doesn’t love him. I'd like to know why a girl like Claire Veniza drives at night to a gambling hell enough!” Hawkins' abruptly, peremptorily. He ad- vanced again threateningly on John Bruce. “Don't you dare to say one word against my—against—against I'll choke the life out of you, if you do! Who are yoa anyway? You are asking a lot of questions. How did you get here in the first place? You answer that! I've always meant to ask you. You answer that—and leave Claire out of it!" John Bruce whistled softl voice ! The old blue eyes grew very hard and very steady. That's a lie!- She never saw you ou got out at the corner that night until you came in through the | dow here. She didn’t tell you where she lived. She didn't invite you here. She's not that kind, and, sick though you may he I'll not keep my hands off You, ’Stead\ Hawkins—steady!” sald John Bruce, his voice as quiet as be- fore. “We seem to possess a com- mon bond. You seem to be pretty fond of Claire. Well, so am 1. That ought to make us allies.” He held out his hand suddenly to the old man. “I had just asked Claire to marry me when you came to the door.” Hawkins stared from the out- stretched hand into John Bruce's eyes. and back again at the outstretched hand. Bewilderment, hesltation. a cu- “You—you want John Bruce ‘echoed help- ‘Good Lord, Hawkins, you are queer one! Barring . beasts like e |2 Oh, | Crang, why does a man ordinarily ask a woman to marry him? Because he loves her. Well, I love Clajre. I loved her from the moment I saw her. followed her, or, rather, that old bus of yours, here that night. And that is how, after that fight at Ratti's when I got out the back door and into the lane, T crawled over here for sanc- tuary. I said Claire brought me here, You understand now, don't you? That's how she brought me here—be- cause I loved her that night. But it is because of Crang’—his volce grew hard—“that T am telling you_this. I love her now—and a great deal too much, whether she could ever care for me or not, to see her in -the clutches of a crook, and her life wrecked by a degenerate cur. And somehow”—his hand was still "ex- tended—"I thought vyou seemed to think enough of her to feel the same way about this marriage—for I imag- ine you must know about it. Well, Hawkins, where do you stand? There’ “ask for Horlick's The ORIGINAL Malted Milk CHAPTER VIIL Allfes. Clatre's footsteps, ascending »tairs, died away. John Bruce returned to his chair. the Look for the Little Dutch Girl ‘MALT BREAKFAST FOOD Costs less than a cent a dish All Good Grocers Carry- “This Aristocrat of Breakfast Foods™ MADE BY THE MALTED CEREALS CO., BURLINGTON, VT. Cm—ud G. G. CORNWELL & SON, 1415 H ST. N.W. o MAGRUDER'S CONN. AVE. & K STREET THE EVENING STAR, WASHIN ething rotten here. Are you for e or the dope-eater? h, my God!” Hawkins whispered huskily. “And_then almost blindly he snatched at John Bruce's hand and wrung it hard. “I—I belleve you're stralght,”" he choked. “I knaw. you are. I can see it in your vanced toward him. Hawkin's Wouldn't ‘ask anvthing ‘more i the | was full of miscry and th old blue world for her than & man's honest|eves were brimming with tears. love. And she ain't going to'marry | wi¢—it ain't easy"—Hawkins' yolce that devil You understand? L% | quaverea—'to ‘say what 1 got voice was rising in a curious e There ain't no one on earth but i shriliness. “She ain't! Not while 0ld | Balil Venlsa knows it: but vou've got "::hl';lfr;'f:":;{o";;m sy Rpbiiad vy Hawkins 1s alive!” a right to know affer what You've | He felt a tremor pass through the “I pass you up, Hawkins,” he said{said. And I've got to tell You for (olqa man's frame: ho saw & moment. slowly. “I can’t make you out. But | Claire's sake, too, ‘because it seems|ary flash of joy and pride light up if you mean wl to me there ain't nobady goIng to|(n) wringled, weather-beaten face— you trust me- save her the way you are.|and then Hawkins turned his head “I'm going to trust you! little girl. I—I'm | gy Was eagerness, excitement, a_tremble | sald Hawkins in the old man’s voice. “I've got:to trust you' after what you've sald. I ain't slept for nights on account of this. It looks like God sent you. You wait! Wait just a second, and T'll show you how much.I trust you. John Bruce straightened up in hi 'ON, D. C., FKRIDAY, old man's shoulder. “That {sn't the way to trust me, ““What- do t do your he closed the door noiselessly and started back across the room. And then John Bruce knew sud- denly an indefinable remorse at hav- ing somehow misjudged the shabby old chauffeur, whose flgure seemed" to totter now a little as it Hawkins,” he said gently. your clothes matter? W looks ‘matter? What does anything in the world matter slongaids of s0 wonderful a thing as that which you have just told me? Straighten those shoulders, Hawkins' throw back _that head of yours. Her -father! Wh you're the richest man in New Yor! and yoy've reason to be the.prou est!” with both John Bruce stared numbly at the | brokenly; “but you don’t know. She's other. He could find no' words; he |all I've got; she’s the only kith and could only stare. kin I've got in all the world, and oh, “Yes, look’at me!” burst out the imy God, how these old arms have o0ld man finally, and into his volice |ached just to take her and hold her there came infinite bitterness. | tight, ‘and—and——" He lifted his Look at my clothes! I'm just what [ head suddenly, met John Bruce's eye: the old man simply er-|I look ltke! I ain't no good—and |and a flush dyed his cheeks. haps a little irresponsible | that's what has kept my little girl{my little girl; but I lle when I say Hawkins had pattered |and me apart from the day she was (I love her. It's drink I love. That's across the floor, had cautiously open- | born. Y look at me! I don't|my shame, John Bruce—you've got it ed the door, and was now peering |blame Yo all now. I pawned my soul, and with equal ‘caution into |m John™ Bruce was on his feet. His|pawned my little girl for drink. room. Apparentl ‘hand reached out and rested on the | (To be continued tomorrow outer | f Dlslncl Grocery Socicly S1ores INCORPORATED Address Communications to President, 2325 18th St. N. W. Phone Col. 9855 'DAILY GROCERY SAVINGS ORIENTA COFFEE 1-1Ib. can 39¢ FIG BARS 2 lbs. for 29c FREE RUNNING SALT INTRODUCTORY’ A fine, high-grade salt, under the C PRICE o ‘naim v e vt Gl phg. DEL MONTE PEACHES ¢ No. 3 Can SPECIAL! 2 7 C GOOD CAN PEAS - - - I5c GOOD CAN LIMA BEANS - - - - IMPORTED SARDINES o = = OLIVE OIL GOLD BAND GOLD BAG BUTTER Finest Creamery MALT BREAD As Pure as Can Be At All D. G. S. Stores Chas. Schneider Baking Co. 14c Ic ' Surprisingly Good TROCO (HOLMES’ Pure and Appetizing Home Made rmfi?i’fififiny CAKES and CRULLERS BUTTER They'’re the Best in 29C lb. Town GELF AND’S Combination 1 RELISH A Combination You'll Relish 15c¢ jar 30c jar All D. G. S. Stores Sell LOFFLER’S 100% SAUSAGE and PURE PORK PRODUCTS WHITE HOUSE CIDER gt. I5¢ GALLON JUGS - - . . . . SAUER KRAUT - POTATOES 10 1lbs. 23¢ Pineapple ORANGES - doz. 39c¢ GRAPEFRUIT - 4 for 25¢ TOKAY GRAPES 2 Ibs. 25¢ FOUNTAIN|CERESOTA| 4srox srand HAMS | 33 FLOUR Hiu ORIGINAL SEE NS SRS ENEEEENEEENEEEES ssinisi gl FRT M. SAUSAGE. our special price. Vierids whole 31cib.| fbe: e |88 35¢ lb.‘ DISTRICT GROCERY SOCIETY STORES, Inc. Not Bleached RN N ESENRENN SEESEEEEEENEESEESEENEEEEEAEANES . , NOVEMBER 16, 1923. e PALAISROYAL The Shoppm. Center—11th and G Sts.—Est. 1877—A. Lisner, Pres. ‘On Sale Tomorrow--Sensational Special Offer ‘The Marvelous Mineralava Beauty Clay Each Bottle Regular $2.00 Mineralava Beauty Clay, at, bottle— Regular $1.50 Mineralava Face Finish, at, bottle— Mineralava—Nature’s Way to Beauty—a wonderful scientific discovery for toning and feeding the tissues, accelerating the' flow of clean, vitalizing blood through the skin, bringing a new life to its surface—a life that resists wrinkles, crow’s feet, bagginess about the eyes, lines about the mouth and forehead and sagging muscles. Mineralava Face Finish — After the beauty clay has been re- moved, apply face finish, a necesssary face food and tonic. It is a tender, colorless, fragrant liquid, with remarkable nour- ishing and protective qualities. It is applied without grease or any fuss whatever, and vanishes. Palais Royal—Main Floor. Unusual Bargain Basement Sale — Incomparable Values in Gloves—A Great Sale Offering 6,300 Pairs ., Genuine Chamoisette Gloves These qualities retail ordinarily at 75¢c, 85c, $1, $1.25 and up to $1.50 and $1.75 pair. At ‘Choice Pair This includes 12 and 16 button lengths, 2-clasp and strap-wrist gauntlet styles, with spear point or embrmd— ered backs. In all the wanted shades, mode, tan, gray, sand white or black. Sizes 5% to 8. All sales final. No exchanges. 2-clasp gauntlets, strap wrists, 12 and 16 button lengths. The season’s most desirable styles of the world’s best and only maker of Genuine “Chamoisette” Gloves, whose name— stamped on every pair—you will recognize, but which we are not permitted to advertise on account of the very low prices these gloves are being sold. These gloves are termed “Sub-Standard” because the exact- ing method of factory examination reveals only slightest irregu- larities. “They in no way affect the wear.” For this reason, these gloves will be sold at considerably under the regular. price, and many at half price. “Dents” Famous African Cape Gloves 2.50 Values, at *1.69 Two-button length, spear point back gray or tan and durable. Sizes 6 to 7%. At $1.69 pair. 16-Button Lamb Skin Gloves, 'sz.9s In black, white, tan or brown. Sizes 6to 7. At$2.98 pair. On Sale—Palais Royal—Basement Store, §trong .,!'-.-,.!.i II__._II l'_ll'll‘!‘-lvl‘IIlllll