The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-29
CHAPTER TX.
An Astounding Question.

likely that Mrs. Shenstone would know
how matters stood and would tell her
husband: then. IL the judge viewed his
suit with favor, he would be sure TO ask
him TO luncheon.
My dear fellow. there are ffty-two
| Sabbaths in the year; cannot you spare
one Of the mornings to me?' said elf
/ ford.
/ Without a word Paul led the way to
/ the morning-room and when they were
| seated he waited for his companion to
speak
II came because I thoughts. the
/ Judge goes away in the morning-you
/ might be seeing him to-day; l mean. TO
! ask consent TO your enga cement TO his
daughter"
Paul uttered an exclamation Of sur
prise.
How did you know 7 was engaged to
| Miss Shenstone?' he asked.
Clifford smiled
Didn't I tell you I knew most Of your
movements Last night you dined at the
/ Hail. you walked home, and your face
1 told its own story"
/ "Of course. Mr. Clifford II may be IN
/ the 1argain that you should set a spy
/ on me--a bondman cannot object TO what
/ his master does-but should like to
, know IL il is one Of the servants here
/ who acts in that capacity" he answered
/ in an angry tone
mo, There is not servant In the
house who knows anything about you.
/ There is one man-bound to me By the
/ strongest ties-who brings me any infor-
nation / require about YOU. but even ne
/ does not know the real nature Of our
| agreement. And now I should like TO get
/ TO the business that brought me here If
| Judge Shenstone consents TO your mar
riase with his daughter, he will want TO
know what settlements you are prepared
10 make
Settlements echoed Paul
Yes. Ia the position you occupy IL is
4 ''sual to have a marriage settlement. You
ean offer to settle e2ooo0 on your wife. 1
expect as Miss Shenstone is his heiress
that the judge will want you to take the
name OF Shenstone. You must consent.
and whatever arrangements he wishes
to make with regard 10 his estate you
must agree to"
"Of course / shall 7 love Margaret.
not her fathers money or land"
Clifford looked at him. and there was
more kindness in his tone as he said.
1--WE all OF us feel so once IN our lives
I II we are decent fellows, but don't set
/ yor heart on her. The love Of a woman
I is not TO be counted upon"
Il think n is the sureSt thing in the
world Money may vanish and all the
good things Of life. bat woman never
/ forsakes those she loves. said Paul
Clifford smiled cynically.
"A mothers love stands strong through
everything. but the love a woman gives a
man changes if she thinks her idol is
furnished. I tell you, Paul, that women
90 not love flesh and blood men They
| love gods whom they have created. and
when others stone their goods they turn
round and help. Don't set your heart on
any woman. least Of all on Margaret
! Shenstone"
why least Of ali on herr" demanded
Paul
Because il is said the Shenstones have
always been unlucky in their loves"
yet YOU advised me TO WOO her"
II said it would suit my plans, and
Miss Shenstone is a good match. even for
the master Of Casuesteads." he said,
rising
Paul stood up and faced him.
You will not consent 10 me going to
/ Judge Shenstone i'm my own name and
turning mo-. back on Castlesteads2"
No Moreover, if / did the judge would
not let YOU marry his daughter. He
would not trust you"
Il suppose what YOU say is true re-
piled Paul quietly, but his face darkened
Il think I have said all came to say.
OF course, YOU will let me know if the
affair is satisfactorily settled"
Yes. and in silence the two men
walked to the door.
lis it any use asking YOU to lunch at
/ The HeTmitaEe?' said Clifford.
No thanks: ] am going to the Hall
this afternoon" and with a nod they
parted, Paul going back 10 the morning
room
After all, he told himself. il was "a good
thing Mr. Clifford had given him that
hint about the settlements. Then he
thought of what he had said about wom-
en-, and Paul came to the conclusion that
the man who was the aTbiter of his fate
! had suffered at the hands OF woman.
but because of that it was not fair to
speak lightly Of a wOmans love
About 3 o'clock ne set OF 10 walk TO
the Hall II was a clear. frosty dav.
and his heart beat high with hope. Once
or twice the thought of his true position
raised a cloud but he put it quickly
away He loved Margaret and he. did
not intend that circumstances that We're
/ beyond his control should spoil his life
As he entered Arlington Park he forgot
everything except that very soon his fate
would be settled. The butler Informed
him that the judge was at home. and
conducted Paul TO the library.
Mr.. Clelland.' the man announced
and Judge ShenStone rose to meet his
Suest. and invited him TO sit down.
Mr.. Shenstone, J have come to ask
YOU to give Margaret to me love her
with all my heart, he said plunging
into the matter
You ask good deal, Mr.. CIeIand.
Margaret is very dear to me. and she has
fines nature He paused a moment.
evidensiy studying Paul. I know very
little about you. but what have seen I
Ike. Still. candidly speaking. I would
rather my daughter had married a man
Of whose past / knew more"
Mr. Clifford will tel you anything you
want 70 know about me-"
The judge smiled
Il know less of Mr. Clifford than of
you, but as Margaret loves YOU / sun
pose | must agree to an engagement. Int
l stipulate that the marriage does not
take place for six months"
Why that will be August" said Paul
In such disappointed tone that the
judge laughed
Ny dear Clelland. it should be the
happiest six months of your life. And
now, before you go TO Margaret. / want
10 ask YOU what may seem to YOU a very
ridiculous question. You heard Lady Las
ceiies' remarks about your likeness TO
the missing man. Paul jarrett win you
tell me if there is any connection be-
tween your To put it plainly. had you