The San Francisco call., 1906-07-08
CHAPTER xxxvI.
brother and Sister.

The houseful of women on Richmond
Hill awaited anxfously the return of
the men. Every one of them had gone
to the courthouse, from Arthur to the
young "greenhorn" who helped Jerry
with the horses.
They'll probably take luncheon
downtown" said Miss Emmeline. as the
noon hour approached. They won't be
home much before night-why, there
they are, now!"
UP the hill, Arthur and Ned Wilkins In
front, Jerry and his assistant behind
Their heads were down, their eyes fixed
on the ground. They halted outside,
and Arthur and Ned entered into earn
est conversation. Jerry and his COM
panion sk2Ilked around to the barn,
as If afraid of being intercepted.
why don't they come in and tell
us?' fretted Mabel. voicing -Aatharine's
mute misery. Arthur" she called at
length.
He came, tagging.
Don't you know we're crazy to hear
about everything" she complained.
Still he hesitated. glancing at Kath-
arine. The faces before him paled
HE isn't convicted" cried Miss En-
incline.
v
Mabel, speaking for Katharine.
"Winslow had nothing to do with It,"
returned her husband.
Nothing to do with 1t, when he is
counsel for the defense?" she pursued
How does it happen that he had moth
ing to do with 1t? Arthur. do answer
us. Can't you speak?"
TT was all Vaughan's own doing"
Arthur replied with an effort. He
pleaded guilty. without extenuation. He
did not confess or explain. He would
say nothing, except that he was
guilty?''
And the sentence?" 1t was Kath-
arine who now spoke. They all turned
and looked at her.
solemnly. Come, Katharine, come with
me-" He put his arm around her. But
she pulled away.
Her eyes were fixed in stare. Her
face was like marble.
I'm going-to the jail" she said, in
a strange, hard voice.
mo. Katharine. come with me-" he
repeated. He drew her into her own
room and shut the door.
II tell you 1 am going to the jail"
she repeated. Her eyes were feverishly
bright. Il don't care who sees me-
don't care who knows"
Yes. you do" he answered, steadily
y Ou Cnlnk just now thaC you don I, but
you do. If I should let you go down
there, into that mob hanging around the
door OF the Jail. they would say There
she comes. the other woman! Yes, they
would, Katharine. You could not bear
it."
'I could bear anything" she
answered in a voice as steady as his
own. 'I don't care what they say, if
1 can help-him.'
You wouldn't help him; you would
only make matters worse. He would
have to bear that in addition to the
rest. hearing you-insulted, perhaps
And his own case would grow so much
the blacker. IL people saw you there"
"But-Arthur-at a time like this
my place is-therew Her lips quivered
piteously.
Your place is here" he answered
gravely, under your brothers roof, un-
der your brothers protection"
The appeal of his tenderness touched
her for the moment. She dropped, but
instantly rose again.
You make coward of me-" she
cried why should l shield myself?
Why should 1 be protected. when he is
at the mercy of that horde! Arthur,
Mabedel So, ",bels'k anopleaded uTdgQ,
Arthur, If it were you. if 1t were
Mabel"
Her own face looked back at her,
nodded into masculine lines. the same
honest, gray eyes. the same lovable
mouth. strengthened.
IF it were 1, If it were Mabel,
could not bear to have her come to me.
could not endure to see her suffer,
knowing that I was the cause. Give
knowing that 1 was the cause. Give