The Washington herald., 1911-01-10
CHAPTER XIV.
Mrs. shenstone Speaks.


was prepared to go at a merry pace
home. and Paul. anxious to see Margaret.
gave her her head. He had decided to
call at home, then go to the Hall. There
was no definite reason for his taking
Castelsteads on the way. but one OF those
indefinable feelings. which come to most
of US at times. called him there. As he
rode up the avenue he met little tele-
graph boy on his bicycle.
HAS he brought a telegram from Birk-
ham?' he thought, as he touched the
mare with the whip, and in a minute or
two they reached the house.
"A telegram, SIR" said footman. COM
ing forward.
Paul broke it open, and saw that it
was from the chaplain at the jail
Come at once; Mrs. Shenstone is very
i'll, and wishes to see you alone. She
desires her daughter not to come"
Paul folded the telegram and put it in
his pocket. Then he turned to the foot
man. who was waiting to see II his mas
ter had any orders.
"I shall not be at home to luncheon or
dinner" he said. Then. striding out Of
the house. he mounted the mare and rode
of at gallop.
When he dismounted at the entrance to
Arlington Hall the church clock chimed
the half hour.
"Half-past twelve There is a train in
an hour he thought.
Margaret had seen him ride up to the
house, and she met him in the hall, and
it struck him afresh how sadly the awful
things that had happened had changed
her. She looked like a broken lily.
Paul, have had a letter from the
chaplain she whispered.
And have had a telegram. Where Is
your aunt?'
I'm here" and she led the way to the
Miss Hannah Shenstone greeted him
warmly.
I'm glad you've come. Margaret wants
to return to Birkham. The chaplain
says her mother is very weak, but I
tell her it would be wiser to wait day
or two. Don't you think SOP
Her mother does not wish her to Co."
and he handed them the telegram to
read. Margaret looked puzzled.
why should she want you and not
me? But I am glad you are going: she
seemed SO very weak when We saw her
last -
YES: 1 can bring you news Of her
There is train stops at Arlington at half
past one I must catch it, said Paul
Miss ShenstOne rose.
"I will see that luncheon is served a
little earlier" she said, making an ex-
cuse to leave the lovers together.
Paul drew his sweetheart close to him,
kissing her tenderiy.
Paul. you must not marry me; 1t would
not be right she said. trying to speak
firmly.
He drew her nearer as he said:
Margaret. suppose my father had been
in the position your mother is, would
you have given me up?"
NO. Oh, no: but"
There is no but; we love each other
too well to let the misfortunes or even
sins. of our parents come between us;
1 will never give you up. and If you re-
fused to marry me I should spend my
life in trying to persuade you to change
your mind
She drew a deep breath. it might have
been a sigh: if it was, It betokened salts
faction: she was too much of a woman
not to glory in his love being strong
enough to stand against disgrace.
At that moment the bell rang for
luncheon, and they went to the dining
room, where Miss Shenstone was wait
ing. and after eating a rather hurried
meal, Paul took a short cut through the
park, that brought him out,at the far
ther end of the village, nearer the sta
ton.
He was just in time for the train, and
arrived at Birkham a little before
O'Clock: then, taking a cab. he drove to
the Jail, and after a little delay he was
taken to the prison infirmary. where on
bed in corner. at little distance
from the others, lay Beatrice Shenstone.
At the bedside nurse was sitting watch
ing the patient. who at the sound of
footsteps opened her eyes, and,N seeing
Paul, they Frightened.
you have come" she said IN satisfied
tone.
Did you doubt that I should?'' he an
swered, as the nurse moved away.
mo; knew you'd come for Margaret's
sake. Do you know, Paul. that when I
heard your footsteps they carried me
back to the time when was q girl. You
are Shenstone," she said, speaking the
last words sharply. and with decision.
He leaned forward and spoke In . low
tone
You are right, I am the son Of Julia
Jarret. as she was called"
II knew. felt certain, but the only
thing in which you resemble the Shen-
stones is your footstep. You walk like the
Paul Shenstone I knew long ago. and
loved. to his undofng." she added, almost
in whisper
Paul did not speak; he was certain she
had something important to say. and he
waited.
II shall not live long. The doctor
thought was sleeping, and I heard him
say to the nurse:
Poor. woman. she won't last long.
She'll cheat the law. and I'm glad That
was last night and this morning asked
them to send for you. / believe nurse
thinks I'm going to confess, but never
killed my husband. All the same. have
something to confess and you are the
one who ought to hear; there Il only one
other who has better right. and II he
was here he would strike me dead" and
her voice ended In . gasp. -
''who Is the man you have wronged 90
terribly?'
She pointed t.. . giass containing stim-
uiant that the nurse had left on . table
close at hand. and when Paul had given
her . drink. she spoke with renewed
strength:
your father" -.
There was silence: he was thinking that
hh fathers ouspec1ons had not been mis-.
placed The woman-with that wan fnce|
ana restless eyes-that had always se6med
70 hin The index of soul that knew no
poaoe-had ruined hiO fAthr'8 HI.
shs waAceed Mn fer . nesseak I'm
.sxessers ~ - yrllsi; ! wense hsw
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