| Show P I S r rT r. r 1 1 T I 0 J I S I C J 1 L t In by NO RT iAM RICAN Co e. e The Th D Devils il ile n e ev s Bargain ar ai n p Proves roves a an n Onerous A y BurdenS BurdenA Burden Burden S SYNOPSIS When about to drown J himself 1 I Paul Jarret Is intercepted h by John Clifford d a mysterious lS old man Promised great weal wealth Jarret Janet signs an agreement to do Cliffords Clifford's bidding l g t for seven years The latter then establishes the young man under tho name of ot Paul Clifford I In a magnificent country countr house and supplies him lIb liberally ra h with t mo money ncy Paul falls in lovo love with Margaret 1 Shenstone daughter of ot a Judge and is e encouraged in his suit b by 3 Clifford Too late the the young o man learns that he ho is heir to a n. n large lar-e fortune orton and tries ilea in n yam vain aln n to havo have e Clifford release him from bin hlA pled pledge Mrs Shenstone rather a a. mysterious s w woman mother e of Margaret questions Paul closely as to his Identity en and he afterward sees her in a midnight g I tt I t consultation with a n stranger CHAPTER XII Continued CONTINUED FROM FRO LAST SUNDAY I b by the curt brevity bre of ot this note Paul looked at his watch and saw aw that thal it was a quarter t to l 1 Then without without without with with- out a word he wont wont to toward toward to- to ward tho door I wonder if Its It's a development de of or t this h 11 1 18 a d de devils devil's e of v 8 bargain he thought as ho strode down tho avenue Then he half halt wished h he e hada had hat ordered his horse to bo be a 1 J ti saddled but no no that would have e meant the de lay ay and possibly tho the thoI I groom at al The He Hermitage would have gone to bcd bed I and his conversation with Clifford might beS bo be S ay 1 4 lengthy th a As he walked on I 1 Paul wondered if It this n summons rn lnA to Tho I fn 4 a Hermitage had find a aVy n t. t If tx g to r d t secret secret meet meet- meeting ing the man who was as a stranger to l him liim lm Yet r it it did not seem likely Mrs had evidently known known something of Paul family whereas Clifford tord knew nothing about them On that point Paul was certain Impatience made him hasten and It took him less distance between Castle Castle- time than usual to cover tho the and The Tho Hermitage The door was opened b by the butler who evidently o. o expected him This Tills way sir air ho said when Paul had declined to remove remo his overcoat Mr DIr Clelland announced the tho man and Paul entered en entered en- en unbuttoned his light overcoat over over- the the library He Ho had c coat t. t and it was thrown back revealing a qu quantity of erf Tho The shirt front in which diamond studs glittered well cut clothes revealed his fine flue figure and as 05 ho re came forward with his head thrown back like a young youn war horse who has hos scented the smell of battle batUe John Clifford marveled at tho the wonderful chan change e prosperity had hafl wrought In to his appearance Then as he ho recalled the tho man he lie had bad brought back from the verge vergo of ot death eath realized that even en then ho had been a striking he lie t looking man ono one who could easily havo have passed as an aristocrat come to grief Yet he had only been a city time Clifford asked ed clerk and for tho the him elf sol lf who had been this mans man's CatherI father Cather been hero bore caller but I was at atthe I should have O noto note carne came and Evans Jans didn't seo sea tho the Hall when your he would have sent senta me home or i until he expected it with Ith It It s said ld Paul Vaul aul st standing by tho the table tabla a groom Clifford who was seated at the theother at down looking and other I side ed for t io possibility nay I should 1 say would be at the Hall lIall so I did hW that tv-that that vou rou that sit alt down u not net hp he indicated expect you ou rs no until late tb are and as Paul au 1 seated scale turned to face ace himI him Wm himself he ue urgent T shou should thI sc seo e y you Ou It n Jg Is it was I told you to do for tor you something compact I 1 hf have c about our Pauls Paul's faco face became grim What 1 hat I Is it ho asked at him full Clifford looked will be bc at nl home an ant and ti ti t 1 t Easter Judge bending forward and ana said him he shOOt 1 0 will ill you toner tone low sp speaking al In n a with horror At first he thought Paul regarded rc him mad but the tho longer h hll Clif Clifford Cliford must have certain gone he became that his companion looked tho o moro more In earnest terribly ano and mean It knowing was cannot I ont t tie do it Man you ou child his engaged to Lo You ou ouTha that I am part pari of oC my scheme or engagement was well t. t That Tha t ou have been will you elf to do W ray which bound yourself ours do the work for to require you ou and now nO I paid pahl In advance payment ha e received have ve 1 0 YOU 1 p Paul au 1 r rose to his feet this I ca cannot not llo do it I 1 anything but 1 hoarse I n rc a J awn life lite lie he said In a would rather L take a 1 13 my m. J wj strained tone shoot Judge Shenstone I require u I you ou a to but ho will lie Ito will not suffer shot 10 a good 00 w you arc a a. I u l Ill 7 nut put a bullet In m In inY u- u do n. n wont I I tell yoU I Paul n first Interrupted Shenstone and own brain first t gave Judge ou d did id It would Id happen before U I K t you hadid which shot hot hot- nh hy hyo had been s whether care ou he o take tako oile r ot of that In your our con our death I 1 should put your committed suicide e o or r not would regard you ou a as q a love lo ou and the tho girl and suicide exclaimed ed paul t t t devil you are arC rs You arC aro the question barn lIar lIar- or of tho do 1 your Our l keep ceP out It you SS Lev Le me w wh who o tIo do n mY ou you s r to It was will t. t to me sworn will l now that thal and the rho girl erne It with aln no o murder plan t shut shull fathers father's I her thO jU judge ge nR ot of dream fathers tather's never her with her marry a yo ou think thin I could marr L Li Wd- Wd Do Do o y yoU s pawl Paul to do my 0 y blood on my m hands but It If yoU refuse J o knew knO wife dont don't our t from I be your apart him never vex 1 din g she shO the roof that yoU ample nt w will lar- lar will Ill die le and shall Rhall hc be m eon th then the your our own o think Of you ou thing I 1 will warn aver ole your our p pI aret the tita Into ire J I w will ill tell OX p hi him hOW you 1 0 got that me meI I 1 am really Paul PaulJ judge jude and r every ery ono uno known knoW mind will let lOut ot of our arc the son sonI n ford w TIet that J r a swear awes pawl paul will are he I 1 t yoU ou for tor proof the ns In an aft will brim and as a a. ot of o lr life life liCo in J I friend the rest oYO l u a. old of m my In hi your end wron rang bond nd yon It Would ou have u a bitter doubt I change will No Nn more 8 lunatIc On One o word thal 3 en 1 cnn cna say a mean can f to t Y yoU ou violent will and tall fall 0 It to n lII a ge ou on Cl nl f if ny I J a l tU I r. Io r. r 1 r I f fJ Y J C 7 A I 1 X r HII 7 r c l I 11 2 rI A x X I J. J V l t f I r r 4 j. j o i i 1 I J It I AC Ii Y J. J I 1 1 V Vf f r L lJ Q oc T i I m fV 1 JI 5 Y p V X rt j ff f J. J VR V R I 1 1 x 1 1 A AV J k I V 1 I V t V 1 i II I 1 fm- fm r I II I iI 1 I B Y J P I t A fJ 44 I i A 4 1 b r 1 y I J I I A 1 p r 11 1 1 4 1 r I. I 7 IJ N. N N L I X I X S- S J r SJ J I IY j j i c lh 71 h rl I fj 7 J 1 r ff il IT II I ff a r 1 T. T 4 I r Z h ILL 11 P Jf J V VM r. r f 1 1 F M C r d I I f p I WiS I.- I. pA 7 I el S v rj i 7 7 I 1 rI r. r 1 f r- r JJ I 1 4 J I. I r rS ii I J S I r J d J J Jr I r t fI II PJ ll I d r a- a 1 ot J I 7 i fT j J fj n 1 IJ J JP fr t. t 1 f L u. u lie He He cline clime suddenly on ou a man man and ind a aa woman dl Erd d rd tho the words it My y life is a Z miser misery t m death leath by the tho hangman bangman or spen spending your lifo In a a. I lunatic asylum If It f you fulfill our bargain you will J never be suspected and you will will havo have all yau you now I have and ana even greater reater riches Take your choice j jI I I will n not t murder I would sooner die dieon die on the tho gallows or go o into an asylum than be guilty of or such a thing replied Paul In a resolute tone lone Clifford smiled grimly The night we wo made mado the tho bargain against which you OU now rebel you asked me if It murder was included in tho Cho compact I 1 told that it was a sealed program and you accepted my terms knowing ving It might mean that you had to kill a man Prosperity has bas developed scruples that hunt you didn't fool then Pauls Paul's face faco became scarlet You do do- dowell well to Lo taunt mo me with the weakness of or which you took advantage Man Ian you know I was half starved and at war with the world when mea moa mo me moa a glimpse of or what warmth food and luxury mea meant t. t I havo been worse than Esau He Ho sold his birthright I Ifor for a mess of pottage Ive I've sold my soul for tor It IL Do Doyon you yon think Ive I've ever felt the same man since that infamous in infamous In- In famous bargain w was made malo x xI I think youve you've contrived to bo ho tolerably happy since you became engaged Yes Yos It Isn't In the nature of or a man to be bo loss 1088 than happy In her society and Ive I've tried to forget torget that Iwas I Iwas Iwas was a bondman but Ive I've loathed for Cor my weakness weak weak- ness I ought to havo have g gone no back to tho the river that J night t. t n Paul Poul Clelland theres there's ono one thing none nono of or us can do o and that Is Is undo the past Post and It always influences our future futuro You made mallo that bargain and you must stick sHelt to It or you will pay for It For seven soven years you were tobo tabo to ta tobo bo miner body body and soul yet soul yet seven soven months havo bavo not pass passed ell and nd you want to break brenk the bond boud I 1 tell you that you shall shan not do so unless you are aro prepared to pay to to- the tho uttermost farthing Go I 1 will give you youa ou oua a a. week to think the matter over Nay you shall have havo nine nano days The Tho Judge comes homo home In a week from today to to- to- to day Thursday day Thursday night On Saturday night you must give mo your answer and rem remember if you still sUIl re refuse ro- ro fuse Cuse to fulfill fulfil tho limo compact you will find Ond me merciless One Olle thing thins more mole you must trust give mo your solemn promise nut not to warn the judge of the fate in to store for him said Clifford watching his companion keenly Paul hesitated If 1 I give that promise will you in return promise that tho the Judge shall not come COIne to any harm barm during that period ho he saidI said I 1 promise that until then Judge Shenstone's life lIro shall bo be safe so 50 far tar as I I. I or any one instigated by me is 19 concerned 1 Then 1 will not give Mr any warning until the tho nine nino days have havo elapsed though I 1 think It If l' l would auW be bettor bottor if wo we settled the matter mattor at once said Paul You fool Cool I want to save you you from destruction I 1 will have havo my vengeance and ancl I will not put myself in your power which means that unless you carry out the Ito compact your life will pay the penalty Now Nan go o and don don't dont t lot let mo see you until the tho day after afterGood afterGood Good Friday XIII Without a word Paul turned and anti l leli feu t. t tho the room and very soon Boon he was on his way h homo home mo Ive 1 got to like the ho fellow tellow too well wan but but 1 I must not lot his scruples stand in tho the way of ot my revenge If IC Paul Clelland refuses to fulfill the tho bargain bo ho will have to 10 pay for fOI it oven even though I suffer in knowing havO what hula his fate fato will be boo bo and It wont won't bo 10 the fate rato I hay huv him It Il wont won't suit me mc to lot him hang for r promised murder but ho bo shall hull pay Imy dearly for tor Judge In schemes I I to thwart me n m my H when thought trying required ho lie reflected I hind had i t the ir he vel very man re for Aul Paul when h ho reached lie ire went Vent A as that he be had hod chosen s n for tor his hiM own particular to Son n a 0 anil rooms rOom thought over what Clifford rd had bad said Bald and ho Ire honi don den ni that If tr bc he failed to do what tho the r former roli ro- ro realized twite likely ry It would oud cost him his life Uto It li was ill ll not believe that Clifford ly would 1 his bis making Hc lie d did n n re i It was more likely lm ho would receive 11 unY 1 disclosures blow before before tho e j Judges Judge's g life wan vas attempted his Then l en death he lie told h ho lie hall had been Very Tory blind 1 not hot to f suspect something something- when Clifford his satisfaction satis saUs- faction at the Intimacy between him and the Shen- Shen stones Ho Ife could remember man things now that ought to Lo have ha made him limn cusp clOUS cious What held had Judge done to Incur Clifford's Cliffords Cutford's Cut Clif fords ford's hatred lF The judge d d not appear to know the tho master of or The yet nt I it was certain the latter hated haLed the bitterly bitted What liat hat did dill it mean menn It was a difficult queue question to answer and Paul went to- to tobed bed v with it unanswered What hat Is s tho the matter maUer paul you looh ol troubled and ill HI I could fancy rancy sonic some great sorro sorrow had hall come como to you ou since I saw you last night s sold said argaret arg next da day looking at him with loving eyes oes I am not well and Im I'm a bit bothered did ld something something something some some- thing foolish in the past and like ike every ery ono one elso else I T have havo to pay for fot my iny mistakes he said trying to speak lightly v vIm Im Imn sorry she sal said hut but i isM sho diel not ask ash what his lull trouble was she would not ak Cor a c that was not freely frech given Riven Hf Dont trouble your head hend t abou me darling most men moon havo have a fit of the blues and Im I'm no exception ho lie said smiling and an ng to banish h. h her hI I anxiety By tho the wn way how hold is our mother he added Margarets Margaret's face clouded very vory poorly this this this' morning I l wanted wante her to slay stay in n bed but she sa said she sl sho ld d get up Did Dill she sho get up last night asked a k 11 Paul No Her IIer head was very had bad then she fell asleep and didn't wake until after midnight After Acter that she couldn't Jot got to Lo sleep again and d this morning she looks dreadful said i t. t Who Vho looks dreadful asked Mrs Shenstone and turning tho they thoy saw Sow her standing jUt just tho the door I r was telling Paul that you were re not at nt all well weil mother I 1 think you would have been wiser wisor to stay In bed said Margaret r. r regarding f her with solicitude I have lead hall df I upstairs at nt a enough of f b bed I It Nent little after S last las Just got up up night t anal Ive I've ive i've on I she Bhe said and amid as sho aho eyes were Mere fixed on spoke e her ler I i Paul Did you ou remain in t le ed i Lh the a time he asked on tho the impulse of oC the moment a he remembered the scone steno In the time woods of oC when woken ho Imo came camo the nl g lt suddenly on a man and nna and heard they thc a W erne words My Iy lifo Tito is a cry a aW Of or course I dl did Do 01 could have havo done lIone I yett 1 t tl i 1 I i I ink k anything better heller she slue Suit watching him m a k cd keon keenly 9 I think rest is alwa'S alu a goO 1 thing s no ho replied evasively el Mrs iS laughed h laugh a 8 Why h dont don't you r l' rest eat cst M Ir Clelland lou Vou look hook as though you ou needled needed L It t 1 i I A bo surprised to BO so hear bear wretched that you OU had hurls hUrled d y your our s houlda ur be beet t f fMargaret friend you ou look looR Margaret is In any iny |
