The Washington herald., 1910-12-28


dTaperies were falling TO pieces. and the
garden was "A perfect tangie Of over
growth, yet the owner of il was worth
half a million Of money Report had it
that he kept large sums IN the house
and one night he was murdered. The
woman was away visiting relations, and
when she came back she found her mas
ter's dead body lying on the floor Of the
sitting-room that he was accustomed 20
use. a desk had been broken open. and
evidently some gold had been appropriat-
ed. as the empty bag was found on the
floor. man was arrested and charged
with the murder. the corOner's jury COM
mitted him for trial al the assizes, and
yesterday he was acquitted.
Did you try him?' asked Lady Las
celles.
Yes. Didn't you read about the case?
The murder took place early in Novem-
ber." said the Judge turning 10 Paul
Il wasn't in England at the time. /
was enjoying myself. and I didn't often
look at the papers. he replied
Lady Lascelles laughed merrily.
Now l could have sworn that early in
November ! saw you In a garnet IN the
East End, at the very place where, ac-
cording TO the papers, this Paul JaTet
was then living she said
Every one looked at Paul. and Mrs.
Shenstone gazed al him with look OF
horror on her face. which the others
were too absorbed TO notice. Paul looked
a. the Judge
Lady Lascelles has been kind enough
to tell me that she believes I'm a sort
of Or. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde" he said
quietly.
NOW. Mr.. Cl-uand. that's not fair. I
told you / inclined 20 the belief that YOU
had been acting the prodigal son and
were In the far country. living on husks,
when I saw YOU. before Mr. Clifford. on
behalf Of the dad. who had forgiven you
on his death bed, recalled you" said
Lady Lascellcs in her clear. shrill tones
What rotr exclaimed Tommy, and
Margaret looked indignant. but Mrs
Shenstone sat quietly Watching Paul
The look Of horror had faded and instead
there was an alert questioning in her
eyes.
The judge spoke in clear, distinct
tone, the tone that was so well known 10
those who fTequented the AssiZe Courts
Il think, Lady IaSelles. that your i'm
sgination is very vivid. and I would not
voice all the pictures it paints"
Now Judge / believe YOU are vcxed.
she said, looking up at him with her big
/ blue eyes, which now contained a spark
of malice
"Vexed, Who would be vexed with
| you?' lie answered with Il smile
Just then Mrs. Shenstone gave the sig
nal, and the ladies left the room.
Tell me about this man you saw who
/ is so like Mr CleIland' asked the mis-
/ tress Of the house seating herself near
/ Lady Lascelles-
'Ihere isn't much 10 tell. They were
as like as two peas. only Paul Jarret
/ looked half starved. and IN spite of the
/ fun De makes Of H. I'm certain Cielland
I and he are identical lie admircs Mar
I garet, but II you are wise YOU will not
agree 70 an engagement I'm sure there
/ is something he Is COnCeAliug.' said
/ Lady Lascelles. drawing her chair nearer
and lowering her voice as she glanced
/ toward the girl, who was standing close
/ 10 the conservatory door
/ Mrs Shenstone did not reply. save 10
/ ask her companion if she would sing
Lady Lascelles went 10 the plano. and
she was singing Killarney" when the
gentlemen entered the room.
/ Paul crossed over 10 Margaret.
Let us 90 into the conservatory" he
/ said and the girl. thinking that he want
/ ed 20 avoid Lady Lascelles. agreed.
]
| celles says; she must talk" said Mar
garet. as they went leisurely down the
I conservatory that was fHIed with tropi-
/ cal plants and heavy with the scent OF
I flowers
Il don't care what she says, I'm indif-
I ferent 10 her opinion. I only care for
what you think of me. Margaret, have
/ loved you from the moment when I first
saw YOU standing just within the door
/ way Of Lady Lascelles' draWing-room. I
eve her a great deal for introducing me
1 10 you. Even if YOU send me away
shall sun feel thankful ] ever knew. YOU.
/ But don't send me away love YOU with
/ all my heart. Margaret, viii YOU be my
/ wife, he asked looking down at the
golden head that was bent She raised il
/ and he saw by the light in her lovely
/ hazel eyes that she loved him.
/ II love you,' she said. placing her hand
/ in his.
/ Paul gathered her in his arms and
/ whispered words of love. while Margaret
/ felt as though il was heaven on earth
will your father give you 10 me?" he
! asked. wondering if the Judge would
make inquiry and discover that he was
/ fraud
why should he refuse? Paul, you are
a king among men," she said, looking
proudly up at him.
! Her words caused a pang TO shoot
! through him. as he remembered that he
/ was in reality Il bondman, sworn 70 do
/ the viii of another man. Would she de-
/ spise him If she knew the truth he Won
/ dered. Then he told himself she must
/ never know.
Il am no king, but your true lover. To-
morrow-yes, though il is Sunday shall
/ see your father lie VIII be going away
on Monday, l suppose said Pau.
J Yes. Come tomorrow afternoon. And
now ] think We had better go back TO
/ the others
I expect my face will enHghten them"
/ said Paul
/ 1t did enlighten Lady Lascelles and
/ Mrs ShenstOne, the former departing
| shortly, filled with rage and envy. and
vowing to herself that she would in some
way prevent Paul marrying Margaret
! Shenstone. As for the latter. she had
! never been so happy in her life, and
when she went upstairs she dismissed
her maid and seated herself in front Of
/ the fire, thinking of the great JOY that
/ had come TO her. Presently there was a
tap at the door and her mother entered
Have you anything 10 tell me?" she
asked, as she stood opposite the girl,
whose face was radiant with happiness
Margaret looked up, rosy with bushes
so you--have guessed2 Mother, I am
/ the happiest girl in the world"
! Has Paul Clelland asked you TO be his
/ wife?" she said
Yes. And, mother, he says he loved
me from the first day he saw me. And /
love him with all my heart" she said
/ shyly.
Mrs. Shenstone leaned toward her, say
/ ing in a quick, sharp tone:
/ "a ro~ara+ fbax- 49,.