The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-30
CHAPTER XI.
The Little old Jewess.


For moment Paul and the woman
stood gazing at each other; then ne said:
What are you doing here?"
Il might put the same question TO you.
sir" she answered, with "a keen look at
him, and as I suppose we must satisfy
each other we'd better have a little talk.
and / know where we can say what we
want without any one beng the wiser"
and. as she spoke. the little Jewess turn
ed back into the garden. and led the way
through a thick shrubhery 10 a small
summer house thar was almost hidden
by the trees thlt surrounded il
smut the door, sir; then there's no dan
ger OF US being overheard"
Paul shut the doOr. then lighted a fusee.
and saw that the little house was fur
nished with comfortable basket chairs
and a table; rug was on the floor. and
II had the look of a place that was used.
Miss Hagar spends a lot of her time
here IN the summer she said. as the
light died ont, and Paul stood with his
back against the door. He rarely forgot
that he was shadowed by one of Cliff
ford employees and he didn't want a
third party 20 his interview with this
woman. whom he had known in the time
Of his poverty.
do you know that a fortune has fal-
len 10 you. Mr.. Jarrett" she asked.
Not that name; I'm Paul Cleuand.
Yes I've heard that poor beggars luck
has turned at last; it's a pity II didn't
happen sooner"
1t seems to me that your luck has
changed, though you've not fingered
halfpenny of that half million. There
Tfglf
dressed like swell: you're wearing very
different sort of clothes 10 those Won
pledged with me- Miss Hagar has been
telling me about a MIR. Clelland who lives
al Castlesteads. She said his father and
Mr.. clifford were old friends, and 1 IN
derstand that Mr.. Paul CleIland was rich.
l can see there's a secret, and 1 should
like to know what it is
PAIL debated what he should do; it was
essential the woman should hold her
her tongue, but 10 tell her of the bond
between himself and Mr. Clifford was out
Of the question.
What are you doing here? You seem
quite at home said Paul.
Yes; I've a good reason to be. You
don't seem very keen about trusting me.
SO I'll tell you the secret of my being
here. You know Hagar? Well, she's my
grandchiId'
Paul uttered an exclamation of sur
prise.
Yes; I dare say you are astonished. Her
mother was a beautiful girl--Hagar isn't
nearly as good lOoking-and a gentleman
made love 10 her; she served in a shop;
that was how he got TO know her. and
they were married The captains family
never forgave his marrying a Jewess. but
h.
Hagar lost her mother when she was
about sixteen. and two years later her
father died. but before the end he wrote
to Mr.. Clifford. asking him if he would
look after Hagar. who was left almost
penniless. 1t was the shock of losing his
money through some mines being flooded
that killed ner father Mr.. Clifford was
abroad at the time so Hagar-who had
my address-came to me. but 7 never let
any one see her during the two months
she was in Whitechapel Then Mr.. Cliff
ford brought her here-lfe'd been in treaty
for the place-and for three years she's
been mistress of his house"
Then her father was Capt Herries."
said Paul.
Her father was a captain. but his
name wasn't Herries. Mr. Clifford had a
reason for changing her name. and Hagar
and l were wilkins"
Paul did not reply: he was thinking
that he lived in an atmosphere of mys-
terry
DO the servants know you are Miss
Herries' grandmother" he asked.
mo; il wouldn't have done; know bet
ter than 10 lower those belonging to me.
The servants believe I'm Hagar's nurse.
Bless the dear, she didn't want il. but I
told her | wouldn't come near her unless
/ came as the old nurse and MIR. Cliff
ford thought the same. I've a bedroom
and sittins-room; they were meant for
the nurseries. and they do for me cap
ital. The old nurse has standing invita-
ton. SO when l want a change I leave
Sarah Simmons-the woman who helps
me-in charge, and come here. but I
don't tell her where I'm going. And now,
sir, should Ike to know why you're
not claiming that money? Half a million
is big sum, she said, and from her
tone it was evident that she had a Jews
love Of money.
Rachel. there is a secret. but Tn not