ly.

"I will tell you everything that you ask, my boy."

"Then tell me why you masqueraded in Scotland under a false name? Tell
me why you left my mother on the day you married her."

"Douglas Graham was my name," he replied. "I had no thought of
masquerading."

"Then why have you become Bolitho?" asked Paul. "My mother told me
that on the night of your wedding day you read a letter which had been
given to you which seemed to surprise you very much. Tell me the
meaning of it."

The judge gave no answer, and again he rocked to and fro in his misery.
"Paul, my son," he said. "I cannot!"

Again the two men looked at each other steadily. Paul's mind was
active again now.

"You know what your confession meant this morning," he said at length.
"You declared to the court that I was your son, your lawful son; that
my mother was your lawful wife. But what of Mary? Tell me that. You
know what I wrote to you concerning her. I asked you to allow me to
try and win her as my wife, not knowing of the relations which existed
between us--not knowing anything. You know, too, the cruel reply you
sent to me--a reply which contained an insult in every line, in every
word. But let that pass. If my mother is your lawful wife, what of
Mary's mother? Will you answer me that?"

Still the judge stood with bowed head. It seemed as though he had been
struck a death-blow. More than once he essayed to speak, but no words
passed his lips. It seemed an eternity to Paul before the judge spoke
again.

"At least I tried to do you justice, Paul," he stammered. "I tried to
do--that is, I tried to proclaim to the world that your mother was a
lawful wife."

"Yes," cried the young man, and his voice was hard with anger. "And do
you not see what it means? It means that Mary's name is tarnished.
For your sin and your punishment I do not care so much; but what of
her? Think of the stories which gossiping tongues will be telling
about her just now! Think of the sneering lies, the scornful gibes
which will be uttered about her! My disgrace did not matter so much; I
had become used to it. But what of her?"

"Stop, stop, Paul! In pity stop! Great God! Yes, it's true; but I
did not realise this."

"Then the name of Bolitho is assumed," said Paul. "It is not your true
name at all. Will you tell me the meaning of this?"

"I cannot," said the judge. "I know what you must be thinking, Paul,
but I cannot do it."

"Then," cr