The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1914-08-28

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Hetty impulsively threw her arms
about the rigid figure, and swept a
pleading look from one to the other
of the four stony-faced Wrandalls.
They turned away without a word
or a revealing look. and slowly moved
of in the direction of the boudoir.
They who remained behind stood still,
motionless as statues. 1t was Vivian
who opened the library door. She
closed it after the others had passed
through, and did not look behind.
Half an hour passed. Then the door
was opened and the tall old man ad-
vanced into the, room.
we have found against my son,
Miss Castleton." he said, his lips
twitching. He is not here to speak
for himself. but he has already been
judged. We. his family, apologize to
you for what you have suffered from
the conduct of one of us. No n but
all OF us believe the story you have
told. 1t must never be retold. We
ask this OF all of you. II is not in
our hearts to thank Sara for shielding
you. for her hand is still raised
against us, We are fair and just.
II you had come to us on that
wretched night and told the story
of my sons infamy, We. the Nrandalls,
would have stood between you and the
law. The law could not have touched
you then; it shall not touch you now.
Our verdict, II you choose to call 1t
that. is sealed. No nan shall ever
hear from the lips of a Wrandall the
smallest part OF what has transpired
here tonight. Mr.. Carroll, you were
right. We thank you for the counsel
that led this unhappy girl to place her
self in Jul hands"
'Oh, God, I thank thee-I thank
thee" burst from the lips Of Sara
Wrandall. She strained Hetty to her
breast.
1T is o for us to judge you, Sara
said Redmond Wrandall, speaking with
difficulty. You are your own judge.
and a harsh one you will find yourself.
AS for ourselves, we car only look
upon you ~unspeakable design as the
working Of a temporarily deranged
mind. You could never have carried
it out. You are an honest woman. At
the last you would have revolted. ever
with victory assured. Perhaps Leslie
is the only one who has a real griev-
ance against you in this matter, !
am convinced that he loved Miss
Castleton deeply. The worst hurt is
his, and he has been you most de
voted advocate during all the years
of bitterness that has existed between
you and us. You thought to play him
a foul trick. You could not have car
ried it~to-the end. We leave you tc
pass judgment on yourself"
81 have already done so, Mr.. Wran
dali" said Sara. Have | not &C
cused myself before you? Have | no
confessed to the only crime that has
been committed? | am not proud o
myself, sir"
You have hated US we'll"
And you have hated me. The crime
you hold me guilty OF was committee
years age. 1t vas when | robbed yoI
of your son. To this day | am tn
leper in your path. l may be forgiven
for all else, but not for allowing Cha
lis Wrandall to become the husban,
of Sebastian Gooch's daughter. Tha
, is the objectionable sin"
l Mr.. Wrandall was silent for a me
ment.
You still are Sebastian Gooch'
daughter" he said distinctly. "Yo
can never be anything else
She paled. This last transactio
proves it, you would say?"
This last transaction, yes"
She looked about her with trouble,
questioning eyes
II wonder if that can be true
she murmured. rather ~piteously. al
l so different from the rest OF you
Is the blood to blame?"
Nonsense" exclaimed Mr.. Caro-
nervously. Don't be silly, Sara. m
child. That is not what Mr.. Wral
dali means"
Wrandall turned his face away.
You loved as deeply as you hat
Sara" he said, with a curious twitc
| ing of his chin. My son was your go
We are not insensible to that. Pc
|, haps we have never realized until no
the depth and breadth Of our 10,
for him. Love is a bitter Judge OF /
enemies. 1t knows no mercy,
knows NJ reason. Hate may be CO
quered by love, but love cannot be co
quered by hate. You had reason
e hate my son. Instead you persisted
your love for him. We've owe ye
something for that, Sara. We ov
o you a great deal more than | fir
e myself able to express in words"
Leslie entered the room at this |
a slant. He had his overcoat on al
a carried his gloves and hat in h
hand.
we are ready. father" he sa
thickly.
g After a moments hesitation,
Y, crossed eve to Hetty. who stood
n side Sara