Gunnison news-champion., 1914-10-09

heard. | mean to be as fair to her as
sara has been. II shall not be said
that all the Wrandalls are smaller
than Sara Goochl"
My child" began her father in
credulously. His jaw dropped sud
squarely in the heart of the Wrandall
pride.
"lf she has anything to say"-said
Mrs. Wrandall waving Booth aside
and sinking stiffiy into her chair. Her
husband sat down. Their jaws set
hard.
Thank you, Vivian" said Sara, sur
prised in spite of herself. You are
nobler than ="
Please don't thank me, Sara" said
Vivian icily. Il was speaking for Miss
Castleton."
Sara flushed. Il suppose II is use
less to ask you to be fair to Sara
Gooch, as you choose to 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 to
her. ! must advise you, Miss Castle
ton. that the extraordinary disclosures
made by my daughter-inlaw do not
lessen your culpability. We do not in
sist on this confession from you You
deliver it at your own risk. | want
to be fair with you. If Mr.. Carroll
is your counsel, he may advise you
now to refuse to make a statement"
Mr.. Carroll bowed slightly in the
general direction of the Wrandans. Il
have already advised Miss Castleton
to state the case fully and completely
to you, Mr.. Wrandall. 1t was ! who
originally suggested this-well, what
YOU might call a private trial for her.
! am firmly convinced that when you
have heard her story, you, as her
judges, viii acquit her of the charge
of murder. Moreover, you will be con
tent to let your own verdict end the
matter, pairing yourselves the shame
and ignoriny of having her story told
in 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
I meant TO speak kindly, sir"
do you mean, sir, that we will let
the matter rest after hearing the"
II hat is precisely what | mean. Mr..
Wrandal. 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 court of justice. Nor
will she be convic I'D 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 viii not find the WrandaHs as
harsh and vfndictive as you may have
been led to believe"
Mrs Wrandall passed her hand over
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 m
derstand them
As Hetty arose, Mrs Wrandan sen
Tor lowered her eyes and not once did
she look up during the recital that
followed Her hands were living Iimplv
in her lap. and she breathed heavily.
almost stertoriously. The younger
Wrandalls leaned forward with their
lear. unwayering gaze fixed on the
earnest face of the young English
scman who mad slain their brother.
You have heard Sara accuse he-.
CTo be continued next week.