El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-09-26
The HeraIPs
Daily Short StOry


struck and returned. ne drew a knlIS
on me. There was mad trignIIuI
struggle. Suddenly saw my broJner
dead at my feet, stabbed
Il rushed to the door to give my
self up, but at thar moment the
temper whispered his plan to me- My
brother and I were exactly altke-a
resemblance surprising even in twins
and I saw az once that # Iled II
would be given out that had Deen
murdered. ] emptied his pockets OF
all I found there, and fled
con the following morning read
of my own murder in the papers
Il did not come forward becs use j
was afraid. and because I thought that
even then the truth might come 70
light owing to certain minor differ
ences in the attire of the dead man
from that Of my own You were tried
for murder 1t was I who paid for
your defence, though none guessed
from whom the money came5 II was
] who settled comp etence on you
just before you left prison.
After your sentence 1 went away, to
an obscure republic in a remote corner
Of the world, where I had invested
money. There the story Of the crime
never penetrated.
siBut the knowledge that Haidee sup
posed me dead, and the terrible Sc
cret Of my guilt, gave me no peace
At length I wrote to her cOnfess1ng
all. She was at liberty to free you
e.
have sent me TO the most shameful of
deaths. Judge wwhat she has suffered
Two years have passed since 1 sent
her that letter.
Then resolved TO chance all, to
run another risk. and come and see
henry daughter. I arrived tonight
I heard vOices-yOurs and hers. Each
word you spoke was only too clear td
me. You left quickly, saw me, fol-
lowed me-herei
That is my story. You know my
secret now. / cannot ask your for
gIYeness, for I have WrOnged on in
way that can never be pardOned. You
are at liberty to accept the competence
I have given you. But one thing you
shall never do; you shall not give me
IN charge Imprisonment I will not
face, and, rather than do so, I am pre-
pared to kill myself at Once-With
this. Now speak"
Hastings st. Clair had stepped back
suddenly, snatching his hand from
pocket. The cold moonlight flashed
on the shining barrel Of the pistol.
Stop Put that awayr" cried Ran
some harshly- You have done evn
enough as i is. And now hear me.
For the past 20 years have desired
nothing less than the death of the cow
ard who has marked my life: now
that / find him in you, L can forgive
Tor her sake. Yes, in spite of the IN
eNpiaole wrong you have done me, the
present shame and the certain shame
to come, I forgive you"
Slowly St Clair bowed his head.
And for Haidee's sake. also, I prom
ise TO keep your secret The world
shall never know the truth. and 10
my dying day I will bear the brand Of
cain on my forehead AS for your
money, / decline to touch It"
Hastings St Clair tried to answer.
Goodbye" said he. Neither Won
nor my girl shall ever hear from me
nor sea me again"
he turned and walked unsteadfIv.
the shadows Of the night swallowed
him and his secret.
He was never seen again by those
who had known him. But - wears
later, a dying man in distant repub-
lie told with his last breath OF a
crime he had committed. and vfndf-
Gated one who had suffered for that
sin. '--11
Dick RansOme married his love
married her almost by force, beat
ing down her many refusaIs by the
sheer strength of his will, claiming
her as his reward for the tragedy
or 20 bitter years.
And they went away to try their
fortunes in new land; Haidee to
forget, II possible, her fathers sin:
DICK TO escape the pursuing shadow OF
the prison gate; and both to remember
that their love was all conquering.