The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-03
CHAPTER xX1y.
The Jury Of Four.

The Wrandulls sat waiting and won
derng. They had been sent for and
they had dcigned to respond. much to
their own surprise. Redmond Wran-
dali occupied place at the head or
the library table. Al his right sat his
wife. Vivian and Leslie. by direction,
took seats Mt the side of the long ia
bic. which had been cleared OF it's mass
OF books and magazines. Lawyer Car
roll was at the other end OF tho table
perceptibly nervous and anxious Het-
~ sat little apart from tho others.
a rather forlorn. detached member OF
the concluvc Brandon Booth, pale
faced and alert, drew up IL chair along
side Carroll, facing Sara WHO alone
remained standing, directly opposite
the four Wrandalls.
Not ono of the Wrandalls knew why
they. as family, were there. They
had not tho slightest prcmonition or
what was to come.
The strong glare Of an electric
chandelier, seldom used In this quiet.
subdued little library. threw its light
down upon the group, outlining every
feature with sharpness that almost
created shadows. It was trying
light. No play Of tn ecmotions could
be lost under Its convicting glow.
clock struck nine. Outside tho frat
savage storm of tho winter was rag
ging.
The Wrandalls had been routed
from :hcir comfortable iireside-for
what? They werc asking The question
of themselves and they were waiting
stonily for tho answer
1T is very stuffy in here" Vivian
had said with glance at the closed
doors after Sara had successfully
placed her jury In tho box.
Keep STILL Wv" whispered Leslie.
with fino assumption OF awe. cts
a spiritualistic meeting. You'll scare
the spooks away"
1t WAS at this juncturc that Sara rose
from her chair and faced them, ms
calmly. as complacently as IL sho were
about to ask them to proceed to tho
dining-room instead Of to throw a
bomb into their midst that would shat
ter their SNUG serenity for all time
to come. With 81 glance at Mr.. Car
roll she began. clearly, firmly and
without PREDATORY apology for what
was to follow
Il have asked you to come hero to-
night to be my judges. am on trial.
you are about to hear the story Of my
unspeakablo perfidy. [ only require
OF you that you hear me to the end
before passing judgment"
At her words, Hetty and Booth start
cd perceptibly; n quick glance passed
between them. MS II each was inuuir-
ing whether the other had caught the
extraordinary words of self-indict
ment. a puzzled frown appeared on
Hettys brow.
"Peridy?" interposed Mr.. wrandall.
His wife's expression changed from
ono Of bored indifference to sharp in
quiry. Leslie paused in the act OF
lighting cigarette.
ut is the mildest term can com
mand," said Sara. "I shall be as brief
as possible in stating the case, Mr..
Wrandall. You will BIO surprised to
hear that I have taken 1t upon my
self as the wife of ChallIs Wrandall
and, us / regard it, the one most vi
tally concerned. If not interested, inthe
discovery and punishment OF the per-
son who took his life-I say / have
taken 1t upon myself to shield, pro-
tect and defend tho unhappy young
woman who accompanied him to Bur
toms Inn on that night In March. She
has had my constant, my personal
protection for more than twenty
months"
The Wrandalls leaned forward in
their chairs. The match burned Les
lies fingers, and he dropped 1t with
out appearing TO notice the pain.
What Is this you are saying?" do
mandcd Redmond Wrandall.
no I3a Continual \ $1,000 -