The Forrest City times., 1914-05-29
CHAPTER xli.-continued.


 Not now. Not since l have found you out. The thing I have feared all along has come to pass. l am relieved, now that you show me just where l truly stand. But, asked what of you?"
 The world is more likely to applaud than to curse me, Hetty. It likes a new sensation. My change of heart will appear quite natural"
 Are you sure that the world will applaud your real design? You hate the Wrandalls. Will they be charitable toward you when the truth is given out? Will Leslie applaud you? Listen, please: l am trying to save you from yourself, Sara. You will fail in every thing you have hoped for You will be more accursed than l. The world will pity me, 1t may even forgive me. It will listen to my story, which is more than you will do, and it will be- lieve me. Ah, I am not afraid now. At first l was in terror had no hope to escape. All that is past Today am ready to take my chances with the big. generous world. Men will try me, and men are not made of stone and steel. They punish but they do not avenge when they sit in jury boxes They are not women. Good God, Sara, is there man living today who could have planned this thing you have cher ished all these months? Not one, And all men will curse you for it, even though they send me to prison or to the-chair. But they will not con demn me. They will hear my story and they will set ne free. And then. what of your"
 Sara stood perfectly rigid, regarding this earnest reasoner with growing wonder
 My dear" she said, you would bet ter be thinking of yourself. not of me. '' Why. when 1 tell my story, the world will hate you, Sara Wrandall. You have helped me. you have been good to me, no matter what sinister motive you may have had in doing SO It Is my turn to help you"
 ITO help mel" cried Sara, aston. ished in spite of herself.
 'Yea To save you from execra- tlon-and even worse
 There is no moral wrong in mar riage with Leslie Wrandall." said Sara, returning to her own project.
 "No moral wrong!" cried Hetty, aghast No, I suppose not" she went on, a moment later. Tt is something much deeper, much biacker than moral wrong. There Is TO word for it. And hf lies your triumph? You can't mean that-God in heaven! You would not go to them with the truth when 1t was too late for him toto cast me off,'
 T am no such fool as that The secret would be forever safe in that event. My triumph, as you call it, we will not discuss"
 How you must hate me, to be will ing to do such an infamous thing to mel"
 T do not hate you, Hetty."
 Tn heavens name, what do you call 1t?"
 Justification. Listen to me now l am saying this for your good sense to seize and appreciate. Would it be right i2 na to alInw you to marry any other man, knowing all that l know There is but one man you can in just ice marry: the one who can repair the wreck that his own blood created. Not Brandon Booth, nor any man save Les lie Wrandall. He is the man who must pay" s,-.
 T do not intend to marry" said Hetty.
 But Leslie will marry some one, and l intend that 1t shall be you He shall marry the ex-chorus girl, the artists model. the-the prostitute! :! Wait. Don't fly at me like that! Don't assume that look of virtuous horror! Let me say what I have to say. This much of your story shall