The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1914-09-10

the matter rest after nearing the
THAT is precisely what mean, Mr..
Wrandall. You will not consider her
guilty of a crime. Please bear in
mind this fact: but for Sara and Miss
Castleton you would not have known
the truth. Miss Castleton could not
be convicted in a court of justice. Nor
will she be convicted here this eve
ming, in this little, court of ours"
Miss Castleton is not on trial." in
terposed Sara calmly Il am the Of
fender. She has already been tried
and proved innocent"
Leslie, In his impatience, tapped
sharply on the table with his seal ring.
please let her tell the story. Per
NIT me to say, Miss Castleton, that
you will not find the Wrandalls as
harsh and vindictive as you may have
been led to believe"
Mrs, Wrandall passed her hand over
her eyes. ITO think that we have
been friendly to this girl all these"
Calm yourself, my DEAR" said her
husband, after a glance at his son
and daughter, a glance of unspeak-
able helplessness. He could not un-
derstand them.
AS Hetty arose, Mrs. Wrandall SEN
ior lowered her eyes and not once did
she look up during the recital that
followed. Her hands were lying Imply
in her lap, and she breathed heavily,
almost stertoriously. The younger
Wrandalls leaned forward with their
clear, unwavering gaze fixed on the
earnest face of the young English
woman who had slain their brother.
You have heard Sara accuse her
SELF" said the girl slowly, dispassion-
ately. THE shock was no greater to
you than it was to me. All that she
has said is true, and yet II would
80 much rather she had left herself
unarraigned. We we're agreed that l
should throw myself on your mercy.
Mr.. Carroll said that you we're fair
and just people, that you would not
condemn me under the circumstances.
But that Sara should seek to take the
blame is"
Alas, my dear, l am to blame" said
Sara, shaking her head. But for me
your story would have been told
months ago, the courts would have
cleared you, and all the world would
have execrated my husband for the
thing he did-my husband and your
son, Mrs. Wrandall-whom we both
loved. God believe me, think loved
him more than all of you put to-
gether!"
She sat down abruptly and buried
her face in her arms on the edge of
the table.
IF could only induce you to for
give her." began Hetty, throwing out
her hands to the Wrandalls, only to be
met by gesture of repugnance from
the grim old man.
Your story, Miss Castleton." he
said hoarsely.
From the beginning, if you please"
added the lawyer quietly. Leave out
nothing"
Clearly, steadily and with the ut
most sincerity in her voice and man
ner, the girl began the story of her
life. She passed hastily over the ear
lier periods, frankly exposing the un-
happy conditions attending her home
life, her subsequent activities as a
performer on the London stage after
Colonel Castleton's detection; the few
months devoted to posing for Hawk
right. the painter, and later on her
engagement as governess in the
wealthy Budlong family. She devoted
some time and definiteness to her first
encounter with Challis Wrandall on
board the west-bound steamer, an in
cident that came to pass in perfectly
natural way. Her deck chair stood
next to his, and he was not slow In
making himself agreeable. 1t did not
occur to her till long afterwards that
he deliberately had traded positions
with an elderly gentleman who occu-
pied the chair on the first day out.
Before the end of the voyage they
were very good friends.
when we landed in New York, he
assisted me in many ways. After
wards, on learning that / was not to
30 to California, / called him up on
the telephone to explain my predica-
ment. He urged me to stay in New
iOrh, ne guaranteed lndt tnere Woulo
be no difficulty in securing a splendid
J position in the east. had no means
Of knowing that he was married /
accepted him for what l thought him
TO be: genuine American gentleman.
They are supposed to be particularly
considerate with women. His conduct
toward me was beyond reproach. /
! have never known man who was 30
courteous, so gentle. To me, he was
} the most fascinating man in the world
No woman could have resisted him,
} am sure of that"
She shot quick. appealing glance
at Booths hard-set face. Her liz
lrembled for a second
ITO be continued.