The Washington herald., 1910-12-28
CHAPTER VII.
In the Tolls.

IT thought you were never coming to
see US" The speaker was Hagar Her
ries. whom Paul encountered in the hall
at The Termitage,
you see yeu were mistaken. Miss Her
ries," he said, smiling involuntarily as
his eyes rested on her, and noting her
pleased expression.
You'll and uncle in the library. but
shall expect you to stay TO tea" she said.
as she turned toward the staircase, and
Paul followed the footman.
Il was thinking about you, Clelland,
said Clifford, as Paul entered the library.
Il have been thinking good deal about
you and our bargain the latter replied
as he seated himself opposite the master
of the house.
Something in his tone, as we'll as the
words. caused Clifford 10 regard him
earnestly.
Then suppose you tell me the nature
of your thoughts he said.
Clelland put his hand in his overcoat
pocket and drew out the newspaper.
Read that" he said. pointing to the
advertisement regarding himself
Clifford read 1t carefully. then as he
laid it down ne said.
You've had three hundred thousand
pounds altogether, including the invest
ments and What the Castesteads estate
cost, but If you feel yourself aggrieved
I'll give YOU two hundred thousand
more"
Paul was astounded This man, who
lived so quietly. seemed 10 think little
of a couple of hundred thousand Then
his surprise gave way 10 vexation.
You don't understand. It's not the
money ] care about / didn show you
that advertisement to make better terms
for myself. But if I'd only known about
the fortune / shouldn't have sold myself
into bondage 70 do your WILL" he said
in a tone OF bitterness.
"Of course you wouldn't and
shouldn't have asked you. But the bar
gain has been made. and I'm willing 10
give the additional money so that you
may not be the loser by this unexpected
turn Of fortunes wheel. replied Clifford
Clelland looked at him, and spoke in a
tone of desperate earnestncss.
"Won't you release NEE I'll give you
my word Of honor never 10 hint at the
bargain between us"
Il will not You sold yourself 10 me
body and soul for seven years. and I
shall hold you 70 the bargain" he said,
IN quiet resolute tone
Have you no pity? / was at the end
of my tether or ] should never have sold
myself into bondage. and now. although
this fortune has come 10 me. yet sOu
make il impossible for me 10 claim IT,
and get free from this horrid bond
had taken that plung into the river.
what good would this money have done
you? Clelland, it's no use blaming me
it's your own luck that has been tardy
in coming. Put the thought Of this for
tune away from you, and make up your
mind 10 fulfill the bargain we made
III be hanged if / do. I'll leave Cas-
tlesteads tomorrow and go 10 London.
II viii be easy to prove my identity,
though I'm not the half-starved wretch
I was thanks TO YOU. I'll admit / owe
YOU that much. but IN pay you back
every penny / have spent You can say
Paul Clellaud has gone back 10 Australia
that he wanted freer life
And what about Miss ShenstOne2 I
suppose she doesn't count2' said Cliff
ford. in a quiet tone that contrasted
strangely with the other mans excite
ment
PauTs face changed. In his anxiety to
be freed from the bargain he had made
he had forgotten that if he left Castle
steads il meant renouncing Margaret
My God Is there no way out?" no
muttered.
Not if you want TO keep Margaret
Shenstone. DO you love herr Clifford
asked abruptly.
do / love herr" / worship her and.
God forgive me. I cannot give her UP. /
would rather hold TO this devils bargain
than lose her"
It's pity yoV love her. Life would
be easier for you il you didn't" replied
Clifford
What do you mean? Didn't yea tell
me 10 ask her TO be my wife,"
Yes. To WOO a woman is one thing;
to be madly in love with her is another %
Il see, Well my creed is 10 love the
woman / WOO" said Paul savagely.
"Then, loving Miss Shenstone. I sup
pose you will remain at Castlesteads and
ask her 10 be your wife?' said Clifford.
Paul drew himself up and spoke in a
determined tone.
II shall so to London and see these
solicitors. and ! shall tell them the whole
truth: then ! viii see Judge Shenstone
and tell the story TO him l think he will
understand that I was terribly tempted
and look over what i have done. After
that / shall speak to his daughter 1
wish matters could have been arranged
so as TO avoid bringing you in, and I
think il could be done, but you won't help
me, so I must take my own course"
"Sit still, / have something to say"
said Clifford as Paul rose.
you remember the paper you signed =?
told you il was a confession Of murder.
Well. before you are in London that man
will be killed and / shall place your con-
fessiOn in the hands OF the police. There
will be no hurry I shall be careful that
every detail fits and you will be arrested
for murder I feel sure you viii be
hanged. because it would be cold-blood-
ed, skillfully planned murder"
You must be the devil" said Paul. as
he drew back from the other man. who
had leaned toward him as ne spoke in a
low tone that was tense with feeling.
NO, I'm what the world and woman
have made me. Once / was on good
terms with my fellow-creatures; then
there came a time when a woman wrong
ed me bitterly and every mans hand was
against me. That, too, is past / am
a man without friends or relations, cared
for by one person, a girl. but before /
leave this world I arr going to have my
revenge on those who have ruined my
life. I needed help to carry out the
scheme successfully, and you agreed to
help me on certain terms. I have full
filled my part OF the bargain, and you
shall fulfill yours or you shall pay for
your falseness with your life. Now, which
is IT to be? Beath by the hangman or
fealty to me?"
Paul did not reply. He got up and
walked modify up and down the room.
while he debated what his answer would
be.
Dare he defy Clifford? No. he felt