Lancaster High School - Mirage Yearbook (Lancaster, OH)

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Jones. When Howard left the store he wore a smile on his face and carried a note for three thousand dollars at six per cent for six months. Xmas came and Gladys and Howard were married. The affair proved to be one of Hampton’s greatest social events of the season. The next day they left for their honey- moon in the South. When Jones, Sr., returned to work on the second of January lie was almost afraid to open his mail for fear that some of his large creditors would be writing him for settlement or that some notes were due. But for some reason or other they did not seem to need the money. “If they only let me alone for a month or so I can drive that licund that is trying to ruin me out of business.” thought Jones to himself, but little did he realize the circumstances of his rival. Just before going home to dinner the shoes that Jones had ordered from a Cleveland firm came and on opening them he found lying on top the TRAY OF HEARTS. His face turned pale, and he said to himself. “I can’t see for the life of me where Brown has any hold on me. Nobody has heard from him since a drummer from Cleve- land was here and told us that Brown had died just a month before, and that has been two years ago, in all about seven years since I have seen him. He wrote to the firm from which he had received the shoes and they knew nothing about the card. Spring had come and Howard had returned and was living in a cottage at the edge of town. One evening late in May as he and Galdvs were sitting on the porch, Howard drew his chair up in front of her and taking her hands in his asked, Gladys is your love so great for me that if your father should lose everything lie had and I could prevent it and did not would you leave me?” “Six of one, half a dozen of the other,” said Gladys lightly, for she did not see the lines that were on his face nor how his jaw was clamped together v aiting her reply. “Is not your love that great for me Howard that if you had the chance you would do it? But why sit here and talk about something that is not going to happen.” “Just suppose I would be breaking a vow if I did? What then?” asked Howard. Howard, dear, if you are going to sit here and talk foolishness like that I am going to bed ar.d you will have to tell it to the stars.” Howard probably remained seated an hour without moving. When at last he arose and walked toward the door these words escaped his lips. “Would to God I were dead.” The next morning Howard made his way to the village attorney’s office. “Well, what can I do for you, Mr. Prince?” asked Mr. Haste after they were seated in his office. The next day or so will bring strange happenings in the village. It may also separate my wife from me. I have placed a credit for her in my bank in Cleveland and I want you to see that she gets it. If this happens remember her only.” “You need not tell her where the money comes trom, and if any- thing goes wrong with her wire me at once. “One thing more; if nothing like this happens, please forget it and if it does no one else is to know we had this litle talk.” “Yes. sir,” said Mr. Haste. Your orders shall be carried out to the letter.” From the attorney’s office Howard made his way to Jones’ store, passing seevral people on the way who had to make room for him on the sidewalk because he did not seem to see them, but they noticed that his eyes shot forth fire, his hands were clenched, and his face wore a fsown as he passed them. As Howard stepped into Jones’ office he saw Jones stairing at the KINK OF CLUBS that lay on his desk. A sneer passed across Howard's face, as he noticed the condition offright the man was in. “My God! Brown, why don’t you strike and let me out of this ” said Jones. That is just what I am going to do,” said Howard. Jones had not heard Howard enter and this startled him. “My God! cried Jones, “Are you Brown or are you his double!” “Neither,” replied Howard. “I am liis son. It’s a shame you can’t show more fight, you poor weak thing! You thot you were quite a clever man when you stole this store from my father, did you not? (16)

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sitting. “Father, Howard wants to ask you something.” All right, let us hear it,” said Mr. Jones. Taking himself down from the railing of the porch, where he was sitting, Howard said, “Mr. Jones, this may take you by surprise, or it may not. Very likely not, as the villagers seem to think it is a settled fact. Will yon give your consent to my mar- riage to Gladys?” “What!” exclamed Mr. Jones, letting his cigar fall to the floor, “this is too sudden!” “I know it is sudden, but please arswer Howard’s question,” said Gladys Well, if you are in a hurry. I would be very glad to have Howard as a son-in-law,” re- plied Mr. Jones, rising and catching Howard by the hand. “I guess you two will want this porch to yourselves, so I will go inside.” Mr. Jones had acted very much surprised, but this was just what he had hoped for, for this would enable him to compete with his business nval Blackstone thru Prince’s money. On his way home that same evening these thots passed thru Howard’s mind. “Had he made a mistake in asking her to be his wife? No doubt he loved her: yes that was the trouble; he loved her too well for his own good: it might cause him much sorrow in his later life. Why does a woman always have to come into a man’s life, just when he has such important duties to perform? Well, he was in for it now, and he would have to cross the stream, for to turn back meant certain failure.” The next morning Herbert Jones went to his father for some money. His father told him that if he did not stop over-drawing his salary something was going to happen and happen soon. Giving his son twenty-five dollars, he told him that if lie wrould stay in the store more and help him get his business back on its feet again lie would raise his salary. Picking up his morning mail he went thru it. Two letters he threw into the waste basket, three he put on file, and opening the sixth he drew forth the duce of diamonds. One evening of the following week as Howard came out cf the postoffice Herbert Jones stopped him and asked if he minded taking a little drive in his car as he wanted to talk over some business with him. “Not at all, a little drive will cool us both off,” said Howard. After they had gained Hie outskirts of the village Herbert began: “How- ard, the story I am about to tell you will show- up my weakness but if you will help me out of this I will promise not to get myself in bad again.” “Well let us hear how bad a muss you have gotten yourself into,” said Howard. “I need some money; this morning I received a message from my broker in Cleveland stating that unless I could cover my margin with a thousand dollars I would lose my other two thousand that I have invested.” “Now if you could let me have a thousand I am sure I could pay you back in a week or so.” “What kind of stock have you ” asked Howard. “Wheat,” replied Herbert. “None safer on the market today,” replied Howard. “Have you any blanks at the store on the First National bank,” asked Howard. If you have, we can return there and make out the check.” “Yes,” replied Herbert. The result was that Jones Jr., not only signed a note for one thousand, but a note for another thousand was added. The next morning as How-ard wfas going past Jones’ store he was called in by Jones, Sr., who said that he had some business to talk over with him. After they were seated in Jones' private office Jones began: “Howard since you are soon to become my son-in-law. how about taking a little stock in my store ? I wall take you in as an active or inactive partner, just as you wish.” “Thanks very much for your offer Mr. Jones, but after I am married I don’t think I will live here, as I w ant to be closer to my own business so I can take care of it.” “But I need some money,” said Jones; that fellow across the street is selling- at cost, and unless I can keep up with him till he gets over this crazy idea I will lose all my trade. But I would sooner have you as a partner.” “I can let you have the money, but for the reason I stated I cannot go into partnership with you,” replied Howard. “Well, then can you let me have about two thousand for six months?” asked

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Why can’t you have that spirit now? It would make it easier for me to crush you! Listen, you damned thief!!” cried Howard, as Tones began to beg for mercy. Howard was all fire now as he leaned forward in his chair, his eyes balls of fire, and his hands clasped thru the arms of the chair so that you could count every vein in them. ‘‘Little you thot that I was Howard Brown when I first came, and it gave me great pleasure to see how easy you were falling for my plans until your daughter came into my life. Then, God! I almost gave up, but to have done that would have broken a promise I made to a dying man. my father. Jones, he never lacked food nor shelter, for he was worth a million when he died, but you had him and with all his money he was nevei the same again. “Now Jones, it is your turn,” cried Howard, bending over Jones1 bended body with uplifted hands as if to strike. “There is no way out for you. You are a marked man! from now on, you cannot secure credit any place because I hold in terest in all the large houses you have been dealing with.” “I have notes with both your son’s and your name signed to them that will take the store, and ycur other debts will take ail the property you own, so you see Mr. Jones, you are in the same position you placed my father in. Now you could have tried in vain to beat that little man across the street but of no avail, for I was backing him and he could have sold at cost till you owed every man in this village.” Seeing that he had inflicted all the harm he could upon the man at the present time, he turned and left the office. Howard, on reaching home about noon found his wife had gone, and a note saying that he should go to her father’s for luncheon. He was thank- ful that he should not have to face the only one he loved. With a determination not to yield an inch he set about getting ready to leave that evening. The men on the bench in front cf the hotel saw him pass down the street in his large white car. and leave the village, but little did they realize that that would be the last they would ever see of Howard Prince as they knew him. FINIS. !•)