The Washington herald., 1911-01-13
CHAPTER XVII.

CdAHTEk AAvu.
The Crooked Things Made Straight
Now what are you going to do?" asked
Mr. Shanlon. looking at Clifford, as he
was still called. though the lawyer knew
that he was in reality the man who had
spent years In a convict prison for q
crime that he had not committed.
They had gone into the drawing room
after luncheon. Beatrice Shenstone had
been buried in the morning. and the
friends who had followed her to her last
resting place had gone direct home: so
the party at the hall consisted Of Marga-
the lawyer. Paul. and Clifford.
What am I going to do?" repeated the
latter.
Yes: ! suppose you intend to resume
your own name? Tomorrow the papers
will inform all the world that Clifford.
Of the Hermitage. and Paul John Shen-
stone are one and the same man. I'm
sorry. Miss Margaret. that this matter
has to be discussed. but 1 think you
should hear what course this gentleman
whom I for one decline to call Clifford
any longer-decides to take said the
lawyer. turning to her
Il hoped you would mention the sub
ject: I have thought a great deal about
1t. since Paul-at my mothers dying re-
quest-told me the story Of the past,
and as she looked at her lover it was
plain that there were no misunderstand-
ings between them: that there was abso-
lutte love and trust
Il want to say that I feel the Arlington
estate does not rightly belong to me- But
for my mothers action my father would
not have inherited 1t. and both auntie and
I think that IL my father could come
back to counsel me he would say that 1
must relinquish the estate to his cousin -
and she looked at Clifford.
quite right. Miss Margaret: spoken
like your fathers daughter: but I muss
point out that in law the estate Is yours:
no one can infringe your right
Il was talking about justice" she said
quietly. land the estate Is not mine" she
added in a determined tone.
Clifford looked at her. then he said:
Il don't know what should do with It
I'm an awfully rich man, and I've the
Hermitage"
his arm. looking aPpealingiy in his face
as she said:
You must be Shenstone of Allington,
as you ought to have been all these
years.
He laughed grimly There was confusion
in it: he could not fail to remember how
he had plotted to ruin that beautiful
girls happiness.
My dear. you are heaping Goals of Ere
on my head. You don't understand what
L mean: perhaps some day. when you
but about your generous offer. I should
like to live here as master of the house
where I spent my boyhood. and as Paul
has Castesteads. you can spare It. but
don't want the revenues Of the estate
You must take all.'' said Margaret
firmly.
Then so be it. You will not be poor.
My son is rich. and some day he will
como back here: but I shall not take
possession until you are married to Paul.
and 1 may say you need not hurry on my
account
The lawyers face frightened.
"A very satisfactory settlement, I'm
sure. Don't you think so. Miss Shen-
stone?' he asked, turning to Margaret's
aunt
1T is the only one compatible with JUS
tice." she said. gravely.
Now. then. Mr.. Paul, I'm not going to
call you Clelland any longer. and I may
as well tell you I've had strong doubts as
to your having real claim to that name
I'd a suspicion you were the son Of the
man who was supposed to have died
abroad. and / thought the gentleman at
the Hermitage had known him and was
befriendins you. OF course. I assumed
that your father had made money abroad.
or you could not have possessed Castle
steads. Now. to come to the point
You'll claim Jarret Thompson's money;
that means half a million. Then there's
the house he lived in; it's a quaint RAM
bling old place, we'll worth spending a
sum of money on. and it requires it. as
Mr.. Thompson, after his sons death. let
it go to ruin. There's a portrait Of your
mother there: 1t was taken at the same
time as her cousins
Paul looked at his father, thinking that
his mothers life had really ended when
her lover died. This accounted to him for
the belief she had shown in the evil whis-
perings of Beatrice Shenstone and her
attitude to his father, whom
Paul was beginning to regard in q differ
snt light.
yes. Mr. shanlon: I intend to claim
that half Million" he answered.
Then I think all is settled to my sat
isfaction, and shall be in time for the
train that will enable me to catch the
London one at Birkham."
Wait a minute. I'm coming with you
As far as the station" said Clifford. who
was henceforth to be known as Shen-
stone.
When the two gentlemen had gone.
Miss Shenstone asked Hagar IL she would
like to see the picture gallery.
When they had departed. Paul took
Margaret into his arms.
You won't keep me waiting long.
lear? Castleheads wants a mistress.
md I want a wife," he said.
Ought ] to marry you? Think of
What your father has suffered and for /
given, He must be one Of the best men
IN earth not to hate me-"
Wait a minute, Margaret" and. look
ng toward the door. they saw Paurs |
ather. and behind hin Miss Shenstone
Ind Hagar.
He went to the fireplace and stood with !
lis elbow on the mantelpiece az he looked /,
II the little group. who were regarding |
Iim with interest.
"A little while ago ! said that some |
lay I would explain what I meant when |!
said that in relinquishing your claim |
o the Arlington estate you were heaping |
,oals Of IRE on my head. had intended |
eaving the explanation until had
aught you to regard me with affection. I
,ut the words I overheard have shown |
ne that ! should be . hypocrite II won
Il