The Washington herald., 1911-01-06
CHAPTER XIX.
Was Ii Fates

JOHN CLIFFORD.
The message was curt: it had been
waiting for Paul since noon, and now IL
was dinner time. He had only returned
| from Berkham that morning, having
| Travelled with Margaret and her aunt.
The former had seen her mother for a
few minutes, but the interview had near
| Iy broken the girls heart. while her
mother had appeared too i'll to realize
| her position.
Miss ShenStone had urged Margaret tn
return home, saying it was only thirty
miles to Berkham. and Margaret could
go whenever she wished or was allowed
to see her mother. Paul had added his
entreaties, and though she was loath to
leave the plac" where her mother was
| imprisoned. Margaret had finally given
| way. and they had arrived 1T Arlington
Hall in time for luncheon. Paul had
stayed with his sweetheart until nearly
dinner time. and had then walked to
Castlestrads. They had wanted him to
stay and dine with them. but he had a
strong desire to see Clifford and come to
definite understanding with him He
had quite made up his mind that he
would no longer be "A party to his scheme
of revenge is he gathered that Judge
Shenstone's death had not fulfilled it,
The last time h." had any talk with
Clifford was the day after judge Shen-
stenc's murder. Several times Clifford
had intimated that he wished TO see him.
but Paul had ignored his requests: but
this time it fell in with his wishes.
As n ate his dinner he thought of the
coming interview. II would probably be
Il bitter one. ther" would be conflict of
wills and Paul knew he would need all
his wits and presence of mind il he was
II come out ConquerOr. He rather hoped
that when he left the Hermitage it
" ould he as Paul Jarret. and he half
smiled as he thought of the lawyers
difficulty when he presented himself in
that character. Margaret would forgive
him. and her aunt was a broad-minded
WOman-perhdpS she. too. would under
stand what terrible temptation il had
been to a half-Starvcd man.
or course. he would lose CaStlesteadS,
and he GaZed reErctfully around. Then he
Wondered if Clifford would sell him the
place. and he told himself that the man
who refused to do Clifford'S bidding need
not expect any favors from him.
At last he rose and putting on light
overcoat he set off. going at a swinging
pace down the avenue, nor did he relax
it until he reached the hermitage, where
ne was at once shown into the library.
Clifford WAS writing. but he put his pen
down he looked up
so you have come" he said as he
went toward the window. which he shut
and fastened. Then he seated himself in
AN easy chair and. pointing to another.
he said:
''You may as well sit down: we've
good deal to say to each other"
Paul seated himself and looked at mis-
companion he said:
What | have TO say can be said in Il
few words. I'm going to break that
devils bargain we made"
Clifford studied him for moment
so that's ALL Have you no questions
you'd like to ask"
No; | don't believe you could have
murdered the judge and I'm inclined to
believe you spoke the truth when you
said you knew nothing about it. All i
ask is that we sever our connection
"A nice little request. seeing that
you've been paid beforehand. Oh. yes: |
know all about your willingness to re-
fund the money. but there is the thought
] gave to maturing my schemes: that can
never be repaid. All the same. the bond
shall he broken and you can retain Cas-
tlesteadS and the money l gave you IL
you will break your engagement to Mar
garet ShenStone and swear never to
marry her.
Il shall certainly marry her as soon as
she will let me. You bid pretty high.
Castlesteads would tempt many a man,
but it won't tempt me. Margaret Shen-
stone is more to me than anything in the
world.
You will marry her and let your chill
dren hear that their grandmother perish
ed on the gallows?"
II will. not give up Margaret, and her
mothers sentence may be committed
But if not, then we must bear the OBJ
loquy.''
Clifford leaned forward and there was
something almost pleading in his tone as
he said:
Can a man gather grapes of thorns?
Mrs. Shenstone is wicked woman.
What will her daughter be? Paul Clel-
land. think Of the future! Don't let your
mad passion ruin your life
You are not thinking of me; you hate
the ShenstOnes and want to take away
from poor Margaret what happiness is
left to her. replied Paul. why do you
hate the Shenstones?' he added
Clifford looked the other man in the
face he said:
My secrets are my own. and now We
will return to business. You want to