The Washington herald., 1907-05-12

disgrace. shame,
But the thought Of Hetty steadied MIN
again. Courage-let him nave courage.
Ii was for her happiness.
The earl was shaking his head peer
ing at this young man with almost IN
credulous eyes. Was It possible that
any one could be such fool-that ne
could really mean TO bear the burden OF
MS sons guilt?
He moved round impauently. They had
better strike while the iron was hOt-they
had better act at cnee before he altered
his mind He might regret il in another
minute.
He waved his hand toward the blinking
lawyer. m
7 can scarcely credit it, he said. III
Is incomprehenslble-my sons friend! Bui
/ suppose" lie turned to Godfrey. IKE
aH-ai people who make such mistakes
you thought you could repay in time'
But five thousand pounds-such sum
And my sons namel Gambling was re-
sponsible for it, I suppose? Gambling
no doubt. There is always something oi
the sort"
ut doesn't matter what Il was" broke
in Geoffrey, hoarsely. y am ready-readl
to stand by what I have done Fol
! heavens sake let's end it now-let's &c
| IL over. I am ready to go. and the soon
l CT you put me in prison the better"
| Prison, The earl started a little. No
/ not prison, That would scarcely do
/ Prison would mean trial, and lawyer
/ were difficult TO fight and deceive. No
! he must run SO risk OF the truth cominl
out Geoffrey must have no time TO re
/ gret What was 10 be done must be don
at once-before he changed his mind
/ He dropped into a chair and sat swing
| Ing his single eyeglass 10 ana fro wi.
/ his eyes fixed sharply on Godfrey face
Lord Fanshawe had turned his back an
was staring out through the library win
dow at the dull green of the park. Geof
frey's eyes Travelled 10 his still. motion
less figure and then beyond al the du
trees outside. Somewhere there was Hei
/ ~ waiting. In a little while Lord Far
shave would go 20 her. In a little Whilf
IN few mirItes now, perhaps, she woul
be in Claudes arms. her face bright an
/ happy once more. the future cleal
through his, GeOffrey's sacrifice
She would believe him 10 be a forge
and a thief, but what Of that2 Il was fo
her sake She would never know that
but all his life through he would remen
Der it-that he had done IL for her-fC
his little bTight-eyed Hetty. whom
had loved ever since he was a desolai
lad Of twelve
He stood quite still. and slowly his eye
| moved away from Lord Fanshawe's fgul
back 20 his father Claude had given q
sign. He meant to accept his sacrtfic
! Well what did it matter? II was r
/ Hetty's sake. and he was ready 10 giN
his very life for his love, If need be.
The earl had turned 20 the solicitor.
1T Is very painful Jackson, he va
saying. and you viii understand thi
under these circumstances ] cannot pros
cute. I must pay the money-we mu
manage. somehow
But, my lord" the lawyer broke &
such an impudent swindle-if ne is ~
punished It will happen again Yol
l0rdship must protect yourself"
The earl waved his white hand
THAT will not be difficult. ne sal
cooIiy. "Sit down at the desk. JacksO
and write a short acknowledgment Of Il
forgery. Geoffrey win, no doubt, be Wi
p ing 70 sign it. and it-er-it will prote
us IN case he ever makes such an a
tempt again"
Godfrey started 70 his feet
Z i can't" he cried. hOarsely. 7 eat
= stand this. Heaven help me-I-1--''
He broke OF sharply His eyes hi
2. caught sight of the figure II Lord Ia
Shave motionless in the window, a
J. off beyond it. under the deep shade
is the trees of the park, a gil in a ia
d dress Hetty, waiting for Lord Fa
i: shave.
The words broke helplessIv 81 his 81
&. and he dropped back again.
IS IN sign" he said. almost in \ WI
.e per. And I'll go-In leave England
# once.
.e a faint. chill smile curled the earTs Il
a for an instant Jackson sat down At :
it desk and for a moment no sound bro
le the silence except the dull scratching
y, his pen. The girl in the park passed
e yond the range Of the window and "
ished. Jackson finished with a -four
lg and rose
W Now, Mr. Clavering, please siSG,'
te said.
Geonrey rose stifiy and heavily. like
4. old man. He took the pen that the la
yer held out to him in cold dumb /
D. gers. md sat down in the seat in fr,
- Of the desk
Then there came slow sound
scratching as Geoffrey's pen dragged o.
the = DER and left his name admitting
crime he had not committed
The lawyer witnessed it, and then bl
ted it vigorously.
TIE earl turned from the window.
Now I leave it 10 you. Jackson
said. 10 see that he leaves Engla
You mentioned that you were going
Liverpool to-day. You had better t,
him with you and see him in a boat fc
say Australia. There may be one
ing"
Certainly your lordship. certainl
Jackson said. You may rely on me
The earl turned and gave Geoffrey
quick. curious look Jackson hurl
across 10 Lord Fanshawe.
4 congratulate you, Lord Fanshav
he said, in a high, ringing voice. an
ask your pardon fer suspeeting, even
a moment, that you were anything
an honorable AID upright man. I
your pardon Lord Fanshawe.
Claude turned slowly. His hand
for an instant Ike ice in the hand
the solicitor, and then he dropped it
As he moved away Godfrey came 81
ly toward him. He passed quite cI
and Jackson saw an odd look pass
- tween them. He saw Geonrey's eyes
straight 10 Lord Fanshawe's face
cling TO it, and his quick ears caugt
ad whisper
ee Remember" Geonreys voice Ct
broken and husky. Remember }
OATH
t. Remember Had he remembered
let, those years2
" CHAPTER VII.
R.c0~ufffuo