The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1914-06-27
Il was speaking for Miss

Sara flushed. II suppose il is use
less 10 ask you TO be fair TO Sara
Gooch, as you choose 10 call me-"
do you feel in your heart that we
still owe you anything
Enough OF this, Vivian spoke up
her father harshly. If Miss Castle
ton desires TO speak we will listen 70
her / must advise you. Miss Castle
ton, that the extraordinary disclosures
made by my daughter-in-law do not
lessen your culpability. We do not In
sist on this confession from you. You
deliver il at your own risk. | want
TO be fair with you. II Mr. Carroll
is your counsel, he may advise you
now 10 refuse TO make a statement"
Mr.. Carroll bowed slightly in the
general direction OF the Wrandalls. Il
have already advised Miss Castleton
TO state the case fully and completely
to you, Mr.. wrandall. II was l who
originally suggested this-well, what
you might call private trial for her.
/ am firmly convinced that when you
have heard her story, you. as her
judges, will acquit her of the charge
OF murder. Moreover, you Will be con-
tent TO let your own verdict end the
matter, roaring yourselves the shame
and ignominy of having her story told
In a criminal court for the delectation
OF an eager but somewhat implacable
world"
Your language Is extremely un-
pleasant, Mr.. Carroll" said Mr. Wran-
dali coldly.
II meant to speak kindly, sir"
DO you mean, sir, that we will let
the matter rest after hearing tho"
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
viii 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 impotence, 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 vlndictive as you may have
been led to believe"
Mrs. Wrandall passed her hand over
I her eyes. ITO think that we have
been friendly to this girl all these"
Calm yourself. my dear" said her
husband, after glance at his son
and daughter a glance OF unspeak-
able helplessness. He could not un-
derstand them
AS Hetty arose, Mrs. Wrandall SEN
Tor 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. disposition
ately The shock was no greater to
you than II was 20 me. All that she
has said IS true. and yet IL would
so much rather she had left herself
unarraigned. We were agreed that ]
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. 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. IL 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
Her periods, frankly exposing the un
happy conditions attending her home
life. her subsequent activities as 4
performer on tho London stage after
Colonel Castleton's detection: the few
months devoted TO posing for Hawk
right. the painter. and later on heT
engagement az governess I'm the
wealthy Budlong family She devoted
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