The Washington herald., 1911-01-12

been q great Joy to him to have the stain
lifted OF his name," she said In q whis-
per.
Just then the doctor approached. and
Paul asked him II he could give his pa
tient stimulant, - she had something
to say to the governor. Then he left the
ward. and asked for an, interview with
the governor, who expressed great sur
prise when he heard the nature of the
statement Mrs. Shenstone had to make.
It's thousand pities she didn't speak
sooner. The man died . few years ago.
There was a short piece In the papers at
the time; 1t was sent by a man who was
with him at the end" said the governor,
as they went. to the inhrmary.
Perhaps he may be living; you know
1t vas to his interest to be thought of
as dead said Paul.
The governor looked keenly at him.
II hope II his name is cleared that
your surmise may prove correct" he said.
as he opened the door leading into the
ward
The doctor Had done all he could to
give the dying woman fictitious strength
perhaps the thought OF making repara-
tion bueyed her up. At any rate, her
voice was stronger and her eyes brighter
as she told the story Of the past. making
the whole perfectly clear. AS she con-
cluded, She said:
I've suffered for what did. and it was
through not telling the truth then that
I am here The man whom Lady Lascelles
saw me with was It the time Of my un-
cle's murder an under-footman at the
Hall, and he saw Tom Jakes leave the
room and me 60 in. / did not know this
until after ! had given evidence and my
cousin was sentenced. Then Bail, the
footman, told me was in his power. and
he never meant to do another stroke of
work. l told him II he told what he had
seen he would get into trouble, too: but
he laughed. saying he would get very
little done to him: that I should suffer.
because / had done all l could to get
the crime laid on my cousin. Ever since
then he has kent reappearing when he
wanted money. and my husband frequent
ly complained about the money i spent
when in reality ii went to the man Ball.
The night Lady Iascelies overheard us
talking he had been telling me that un-
less I gave him large sum Of money he
would send an anonymous letter to my
husband and I then said j wished he
was dead. thinking I would rather he died
than know the truth.
The night my husband was killed we
had quarreled because he had discovered
that / had sold a garnet necklace. ] had
gone upstairs. and came down hoping to
persuade him not to keep all my valuable
jewels under lock and key. as he threat
ened. when ! found him dead. I don't
wonder tie maid who saw me said I
looked terrified If I could only live my
life over again ! would do so differently
! have proved that the wages of sin is
DEATH she said, her voice dying away in
a whisper.
AT any rate, you have tried to make
reparation at the last, and ] think you
need not fear but that God will show you
mercy. as He did to the dying thief said
the governor. as he turned away.
IF I could only ask my cousin Paul to
forgive me- she said. looking at Paul.
He leaned over her.
II will ask him." he said.
YOU And she gazed at him as though
she would read his soul
John Clifford Of the Hermitage, and
Paul John Shenstone are the same man."
he said in a whisper.
For moment she looked at him. unbe
lievingly. then she said:
How blind ! have been: I might have
known. But he is changed-greatly
changed. And Hagar Herries Is the
daughter OF Capt. Harrison. He was Paul's
dearest friend. and never believed in his
guilt. I heard, when your father was
in prison, that Harrison had married a
very beautiful young Jewess. / wonder
my cousin, that 7 should die happier il he
would forgive me-" she said.
81 will tell him. And Paul left her
promising to bring Margaret and Miss
Shenstone and on arriving at the hotel
he had a few minutes private converse
ton with his father, who commissioned
him to tell Beatrice Shenstone that he
forgave her fully.
so much for the vengeance I longed
for. You have tanned the tiger. my son.
II is in my power to send the woman who
has ruined my life, miserable and dis
appointed. into the great hereafter. and
instead I forgive her. Truly. Paul. We
are complex creatures"
An hour later they all drove to the Jail.
Clifford. as the ladies still believed him to
be. saying he wanted to have a chat with
the governor. and when the others had
gone toward the infirmary he was shown
into the governors private room, and
after a minute or two the latter appeared
Clifford rose.
Perhaps I'd better introduce myself.
I'm Paul John Shenstone. and as my in
nocence is now established I thought
should like to renew our acquaintance -
You Paul Shenstone"' exclaimed the
other man, gazing at him in amazement
Yes. I went to a man in Paris who
features-I think he has been |
successful. And now about that reg1la- |
ton ! broke I failed to report myself
when I was out on ticket-of- leave. Shall