The Washington herald., 1911-01-14
The Deputy AVENGER
By HEDLEY RICHARDS

the next world. Anyway, when you've
sinned it's the law of God you should
suffer. I'm bending my neck to the yoke,
and in meekr I find strength to bear
Then before s..e could say any more the
warder bundled her on. I'd just time to
call after her that we and Paul and Mar
garet were all to be married on the last
day in September. AS 1 came away I
saw the matron. and she told me that
Rachel Falk was an influence for good
in the prison."
Poor granny" and the tears came
into Hagar's eyes.
Tommy leaned over and kissed her.
Don't you trouble too much. She told
the truth when she said she'd rather be
there than free. Shes sort of working
out her salvation, as the Bible says
Good gracious. there's Mr.. Shenstone
coming toward us. Miss Shenstone is on
the veranda. Cannot they understand
the when ] haven't seen you for two
whore days I want you to myself?" said
Tommy in a tone Of disgust.
Hagar laughed.
Two whole days! That's a long time,
but they are going toward the rose gar
den, so you can breathe freely"
That's more than I did yesterday. At
the junction I came across Lady Lascelles
and l was afraid shed want to make
lay claim to your services; but there
wasn't time. as her train came In d.
rectly. She looks ever SO much older.
and had a cross. disappointed expression.
She told me she was going to Egypt
with a party, and I advised her to make
a long VISIT" said Tommy. with a laugh
While the young people were happy in
this light-hearted fashion, Shenstone and
his cousin-Miss Shenstone-sauntered
slowly in the direction Of the rose gar
den.
I'm six weeks those four young people
lonely when I come to take possession"
said Shenstone.
YES" she assented.
II suppose you couldn't stay@ he
said, in the same quiet tone that she
had spoken.
Miss Shenstone raised her head-she
had been looking at the daisies on the
lawn-and looked at him in surprise.
well. I'm fifty. but even at my age
Mrs. Grundy would have something to
say, though I'll admit / should like to
have stayed. or course. I'm happy at
the Glen; there's just enough garden
to keep me employed. l never could
have settled down to spinsterhood in
cathedral city. l like free, active
life
There's one way you could stay at
the hall-that is. II you were my wife.
I've been thinking about it. Perhaps
.hese lovers turned my thoughts in
that direction. and l wondered IL you'd
marry me? I've a strong liking for
you. 1t may be love, but it's not the
hot-headed sort felt years ago. Still.
I'm happier in your company than else
where. and I'd do my best to make you
happy. OF course, II won't be like loves
young dream. I've had my romance.
and I expect you have had yours. but
we might get some solid happiness and
enjoyment out of our lives yet. Will
you marry me. Hannah
She looked him straight in the face.
Yes: I'll be your wife: but there's
been no romance in my life. II you
mean that I've had a lover l never
had an offer. You know there arc not
men enough to go around. Some-wo-
men are forced to be spinsters and
others second wives. and I was not
beauty. I'm better looking in my mid
there's one thing I should like to say.
that the only bit Of romance I ever had
centered in you, though you never
knew it, but the few times ! met you
when l was a girl were never forgot
ten by me. and l never believed you
guilty of either of the crimes that were
laid to your charge"
Let us sit down here" he said. and
he bent forward and kissed her lips.
TIN glad you told me that. Hannah.
I'm beginning to wonder IL I shall find
the romance OF my life now" he said.
You'll find happiness, or it won't be
my fault
Shenstone smiled.
For middle-aged lover-rm fifty
fve-I feel ridiculously happy. I'm in
clined to think that you and /, and Paul
and Margaret, will give the lie to the
saying:
The Shenstones are never lucky in
love-"
THE END.
Copyright. 1903. BY The North American CuOpanyJ
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