The Washington herald., 1911-01-12
THE DEPUTY AVENGER
By HEDLEY RICHARDS.

back and saw her, . graceful figure in
her soft cliuging black robe, waving
good-by.
1t was . beautiful May night, with
the promise in the sky of another gio-
rious day. but Paul's mind was too busy
with all that had happened during the
day to notice it.
He wanted to get to the HermitaRe,
and he did not spare the mare. On ar
riving there he was shown into Mr.
Clinord's sitting-room. and as Paul en-
tered he looked up from the book he was
reading.
Il did not expect to see you to night.
but 1 need not tell you that you are
welcome he said.
Paul stood on the hearth rug looking
down at his father.
Il have glorious news for you. IN the
first place. must tell you that when
got to Castlesteads I found a Telegram
saying that Mrs. Shenstone wished to
see me. l went, and she has confessed
all she knows about your uncle's MUIR
der. but she is not as guilty as you
thought. Tom Jakes. a poachcr. killed
him.
What" exclaimed Mr. Clifford,
startled out of his usual calm.
she told it And Paul repeated what
Mrs Shenstone had told him: also that
her innocence was established
AS he listened. Clifford's face grew
brighter. and by the time Paul had got
to the end Of his story his whole ex
preston had changed.
Paul, her confession must be made
public. ! shouldn't have wished it if she
had been guilty. as you are marrying
Margaret Shenstone, but now the whole
story must be made known You say
there is no chance of her recovery, and
shall be able to hold up my head
among my fellow-men, knowing that no
one can say l am felon out on ticket
of-Ieave."
Mrs Shenstone is quite willing to
make a statement to the governor said
Paul
Clifford reused himself
Il shall come with YOU to Birkham to-
morrow morning. and you can leave Miss
Shenstone and her niece with me at the
Crown. or course. you will not tell
them that YOU are my son. That can be
explained later. Your news about Ra
chel Falk has not surprised me. I knew
that she regarded Judge Shenstone as
the murderer of the grandson she loved.
and one or two things had made me
suspicious. I'm afraid that Hagar has
also suspected the truth. They won't
hang her. Poor Rachel" said Clifford.
with sigh.
At that moment Hasar entered the
room.
Il did not know you were here" she
said. holding out her hand to Paul Then
something in their faces as they looked
at her made her exclaim: There is
trouble. and you are keeping it from me-
Is it about granne?''
Clifford rose, and put his arm around
the trembling girl, as ne said. very ten
derly:
Hagar. my child. your grandmother
killed Judge Shenstone. In her eyes it
was retribution. not murder: but she was
too brave and just to let another suffer
for what she did
Poor grannie.' faItered Hagar. and
burst into tears.
Paul glanced at his father
I'VE go by the II train in the morning.
he said. as he left the room
The next day Miss shenstone and Mar
garet. accompanied by Paul and Clifford.
took the train to Birkham. and Paul
proceeded at once to the Jail. while the
others went to the Crown Hotel
On arriving at the prison, he learned
that the governor had informed Mrs
Shenstone that her innocence was proved.
and as soon as Paul saw her he noticed
that she looked more peaceful. though
1t was quite evident she had not long
to live.
You've heard she said. in faint
tone.
Yes: and Margaret is very happy
She wants to see YOU. but we arranged
should see you first
Yes: I am glad the truth is known.
I've been a wicked woman, but I've never
shed blood and while the crime was
laid on me, Margaret would have been
under a stigma. It's more than ] de-
served to have all this made plain-I
who let a man live and die under an
unjust accusation she said in a whis-
per.
Paul bent over the bed. saying in a
low tone:
Mr.. Clifford thinks you ought to tell
the governor what you told me. Are you
Quite: then YOU can take your own
name. What pity your father is dead.