The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1914-04-27

judged. Judge me as have Judged
you. | am not asking for mercy"
Hetty impulsiyely threw her arms
about the rigid figure. and swept a
pleading look from one TO the other
Of the four stony-faceG wrandalls.
They turned away without word
or revealing look. and slowly moved
off In the direction Of the boudoir.
They who remained behind stood still,
motionless as statues. Ii was Vivian
who opened the library door. She
closed 1t 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 ,ios
twitohing. He is not here to speak
for himself, but he has already been
Judged. We. HE family, apologize to
you for what you have suffered from
the conduet of one OF US. Not one but
all Of us believe the story you have
told. II must never be reto,d. We
ask this OF all of you II is not ia
our hearts to thank Sara for shielding
you, for her hand is still raised
II you had come TO US on that
wretched night and told the story
OF my sons infamy, we, tho Wrandalls,
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 II
that, is sealed. No man 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
thatlled this unhappy girl to place her.
self in our hands
oh, God, | thank thee--I thank
thee!" burst from the lips Of Sara
Wrandall. She strained Hetty to her
breast.
1T is not for us to judge you. Sara, .
said Redmond Wrandali, speaking with
difficulty. You are your own judge,
and harsh one you will find yourself.
AS for ourselves. we can only look
upon your unspeakable design az the
working of temporarily deranged
mind. You could never have carried
1t out. You are an honest woman AT
the last you would have revolted, even
with victory assured. Perhaps Leslie
is the only one who has q real griev-
ance against you in this matter.
am convinced that he loved Miss
Castleton deeply. The worst hurt IL
his, and he has been your most de-
voted advocate during all the years
of bitterness that, has existed between
you and US. You thought to play him
foul trick. You could not have car
ried IL to the end. We leave you to
pass judgment on yourself"
Il have already done so, Mr.. Wran-
DALI" said Sara. Have | not ac-
cused myself before you? Have | not
confessed to the oaly crime that has
been committed? | am not proud OF
myself, sir"
You have hated us we'll"
And you have hated me. The crime
you hold nae guilty of was committed
years ago, 1t was when / robbed you
OF your SON. TO this day 1 am the
leper in your path may be forgiven
for all else, but not for allowing Chal-
lis Wrandall to become the husband
Of Sebastian Gooch's daughter. That
is the objectionable sin"
Mr.. Wrandall YVES silent for q no,
ment,
You still are Sebastian Cooch a
daughter" he sa!d distinctly. You
can never be anything else"
She paied. This last transaction
proves ii. you would say2''
This last transaction, yes"
She looked about her with troubled
questioning eyes.
Il wonder IL that can be true, y
she murmured, rather piteously. Am
so different from the rest OF you
Is the blood to blame?"
'Nonsensel" exclaimed Mr.. Carroll
nervously. Don't be silly, Sara, my
child. That is not what Mr.. Wran.
call means"
Wrandall turned his face away.
You loved as deeply as you hate,
Sara, he said, with curious witch
ing Of his chin. My son was your god.
I, We are not insensible to that Per
haps we have never realized until now
the depth and breadth OF your love
for him. Love is bitter Judge OF its
enemies. II knows no mercy, /.
knows no reason. Hate may be con-
quoreG by love. but love cannot be CON
quered BY hate, You had reason to
hate my son Instead you persisted in
your love fer him. We've owe you
something for that, Sara We owe
you a great deal more than I find
myself able to express In words"
Leslie entered the room at this in.
slant. He had his overcoat on and
carried his gloves and hat in his
hand.
I'VE are ready, father" he said
thickly.
| After a moments hesitation, he
crossed over to Hetty. who stood be
side Sara.
IL can now understand why yoy
refused to marry me. Miss Castletcn.
he sad, In q queer, tsrkz manner