The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1914-07-09

|
Il haven't asked her." said his sis
ter succinctly. How could l, without
first consulting Sara?"
Then you don't intend to ask herr"
Certainly not"
After the Wrandalls had departed,
Sara took Hetty off to her room. The
girl knew what was coming.
"Hetty," said the older woman, fac
ing her after she had closed the door
of her boudoir, what is going on be-
tween you and Brandon Booth?
must have the truth. Are you doing
anything foolish?"
Foolish? Heaven help me, no!
lit is tragedy" cried Hetty, meet
Ing her gaze with one of utter despair.
What has happened? Tell mel"
What am l to do, Sara darling?
He-he has told me that he-he-"
Loves you?"
YES"
And you have told him that his
love is returned?"
II couldn't help 1t. / was carried
away. I did not mean to let him see
that /"
you are such a novice in the busi-
ness of love-" said Sara sneeringly.
"You are in the habit of being carried
away, l fear"
"Oh, Sara!"
You must put a stop to all this
at once. How can you think of marry
ing him, Hetty Glynn? Send him"
Il do not intend to marry him." said
the girl, suddenly calm and dignified.
Il am to draw but one conclusion,
[ suppose" said the other, regarding
the girl intently.
What do you mean"
"ls it necessary to ask that ques-
tion?"
The puzzled expression remained in
the girls eyes for time, and then
slowly gave way to one of absolute
horror.
How dare you suggest such a
thing?" she cried, turning pale, then
crimson. How dare your"
Sara laughed shortly. isn't the in
terence a natural one? You are for
getting yourself"
Il understand" said the girl, through
pallid lips. Her eyes were dark with
pain and misery. You think am al
.ogether bad" She dropped percept-
bly,
You went to Burton's inn," senten-
iously.
But, Sara, you must believe me.
| did not know he was-married. For
Gods sake, do me the justice to"
But you went there with him." in
sisted the other, her eyes hard as
steel. 1T doesn't matter whether he
was married-or free. You went"
Hetty threw herself upon her CON-
panion's breast and wound her strong
arms about her.
Sara, Sara, you must let me ex-
plain-you must let me tell you every
hing. Don't stop me! You have re-
used to hear my plea"
And l still refuse;" cried Sara,
throwing her off angrily. Good God,
10 you think l will listen to you? If
you utter another word, | will
'trangle you'll"
Hetty shrank back, terrified Slowly
she moved backward in the direction
If the door, never taking her eyes
rom the impassioned face of her pro-
.ector.
Don't, Sara, please dont!" she
begged. Don't look at me like that!
promise-I promise. Forgive me! l
would not give you an instant's pain
or all the world. You would suffer,
'ou would"
Sara suddenly put her hands over
Ter eyes. A single moan escaped her
ips-a hoarse gasp of pain.
"Dearest!" cried Hetty, springing to
Ter side.
Sara threw her head up and met her
With cold, repelling look.
"Wait!" she commanded. "The time
las come when you should know what
8 in my mind, and has been for
months. 1t concerns you / expect
'ou to marry Leslie Wrandall"
Hetty stopped short.
How can you jest with me, Sara"
he cried, suddenly indignant.
Il am not jesting," said Sara lev
lily.
"You-you-really mean-what you
lave just said" The puzzled look !
rave way to one of revulsion. A great
hudder swept over her.
Leslie Wrandall must pay his
debt to you"
my God!" fell from the girls stiff
ips. "You-you must be going mad
nad!"
Sara laughed softly. 81 have meant
t almost from the beginning" she
aid. 1T came to my mind the day
hat Challis was buried. lit has never
'een out of it for an instant since that /
lay. Now you understand"
If she expected Hetty to fall into
! fit Of weeping. to collapse, to plead
With her for mercy, she was soon to
ind herself mistaken. The girl
traightened up suddenly and met her
5aze with one in which there was the
ierce determination. Her eyes were
teady, her bosom heayed