The Washington herald., 1911-01-03
By HEDLEY RICHARDS.

country were not fettered by the same
restraints as Englishwomen; but il shed
known what was going to happen she
would certainly have stayed at home that
| night" and she had shrugged her shoul-
| ders.
Paul had not been in the room all the
! time. but he had heard this, and he had
seen that most Of the jurymen were i'm
pressed by her evident regret at having
to bear witness against one she had
known Intimately: but the one juryman
had looked as though he was not satis-
| fled. and Paul made up his mind if IL
was ever in his power he would do that
man a good turn.
In his own mind he condemned Mrs.
Shenstone. but she was Margaret's moth
er. and he did not intend the world to
know that he believed her guilty. To
Margaret he had declared his belief in
her innocence. and he knew his words
had comforted her. Luckily, her fathers
sister, maiden lady of fifty. was at
the hall. the news Of her brothers death
having brought her. She was a strong.
capable woman, resembling the judge in
many ways. To Margaret she had been
sympathetic, refraining from any express
sion of opinion: but in a brief converse
tion Paul had with her she had told him
she was strongly inclined to believe in
Mrs. Shenstone's guilt 1t was her opin-
ion that she had never cared for her
husband. but had married him for his po-
sition. Miss Shenstone had then abruptly
asked him if he knew that the previous
master Of the hall been murdered. Foul
| ly murdered he was shot in the head like
my poor brother she had said. Some
thing had then interrupted the conversa-
ton. but Paul was thinking of her
words and of other words he had over
heard alluding to a bygone tragedy. He
was sure that Margaret did not know of
it. She had spoken of the tradition that
the Shenstones were unlucky in love. but
she had never alluded to this past trag-
edy, and the judge had been shot in the
head just the same. 1t was certainly
singular.
That Lady Lascelles had spoken the
truth about seeing the man with Mrs.
ShenStone he was certain, because that
was the night he had met the latter in
the woodruff he had kept his knowledge
to himself. At last. weary with think
ing. Pau! rose and went upstairs to bed.
and contrary to his expectations. he fell
into heavy slumber. and did not wake
until later than usual.
On going downstairs he found a letter.
and opening it, read:
Dear MIR. Clc.land: wish to see you OH a mat
ter Of importance. and shall expect you early In
the morning Yours. ENA LASCELLES
Paul laid the letter down, feeling dis
turbed and angry. He wanted to be at
the Hall in good time, and now this wO-
man had sent for him, and he dare not
disregard her summons. She said 1t was
a matter Of inportance: probably it was
connected with the murder. At any rate.
it would be better for him to see her.
though he both diStrusted and disliked
her. believing that she would do any
thing to make mischief between Mar
Saret and himself. He was not a vain
man. but he knew that Lady Lascelles
loved him. she had revealed her feelings
pretty plainly, and he was convinced
that she had not forgiven him for ask
ing Margaret to be his wife.
Ordering Black Sally to be saddled di-
rectly after breakfast. he rode to the
Rookery. and on arriving there he was
shown at once TO the morning room,
where Lady Lascelles-wearing an ex-
quisite morning wrapper. trimmed with
priceless lace and edged with sabls-look-
ed more bewitching than ever.
She came forward with both hands out
stretched. in an impulsive manner. but
Paul shook hands in the orthodox fashion
and she gave him a keen glance.
You are vexed with me, but I was
she said, as she sank into an easy chair.
while he stood erect, facing her.
Won't you set down. she said pet
tishly.
Paul seated himself. saying in a cold.
hard tone:
Forgive me. Lady I.ascelles. but you
said it was important business that you
wished to see me about. otherwise I
should not have come. 1 want to get to
the Hall
ITO Margaret" she said. with a sneer.
Surely, Mr.. Clelland. you don't mean to
stick to a girl whose mother is MUIR
deress.'
BE careful what you say. Lady Las
celles. Any one is considered innocent
until their guilt is proved
Mrs. ShenStone will be proved guilty.
People are saying that it is very strange
she should have been living at the Hall