The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-08-01

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. Not one but
all of US believe the story you have
told. 1t must never be retold. We
ask this of all OF you. 1t Is not in
our hearts to thank Sara for shielding
| you, for her hand Is still raised
| against us. We are fair and just.
| If you had come to US on that
wretched night and told the story
would have stood between you and the
law. The law could not have touched
you then; it shall not touch you now.
Our verdict If you choose to call 1t
| that, is sealed. No man shall ever
| hear from the lips of a Wra1dall 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 our hands"
"Oh, God l 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 Wrandall, 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 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 even
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 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 it to the end. We leave you to
pass judgment on yourself"
81 have already done so, Mr.. Wran-
| DALI" said Sara. Have | not ac-
cused myself before you? Have l not
confessed to the only 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 me guilty of was committed
years ago. 1t was when l robbed you
of your son. To this day l am the
leper in your path. l may be forgiven
for all else, but not for allowing Chal-
lis Wrandall to become the husband
of Sebastian Goochs daughter. That
is the objectionable sim"
Mr.. Wrandall was silent for mo-
ment.
You still are Sebastian Gooch's
daughter" he said distinctly. You
can never be anything else"
She paled This last transaction
proves it, you would say?"
This last transaction, yes
She looked about her with troubled
questioning eyes.
Il wonder If that can be true"
she murmured, rather piteously. Am
l so different from the rest Of you?
Is the blood to blame?"
"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mr.. Carroll
nervously Don't be silly, Sara, my
child. That is not what Mr.. Wran-
dali means"
Wrandall turned his face away.
You loved as deeply as you hate,
Sara he said, with a curious witch
ing Of his chin. MY son was your god.
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 a bitter judge of its
| enemies. 1t knows no mercy, 1t
knows no reason. Hate may be con-
| quered by love, but love cannot be con-
! quered by hate. You had reason to
hate my son. Instead you persisted in
your love for him. We've owe you
something for that, Sara. We owe
you a great deal more than | 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.
I'll can now understand why you
refused to marry me. Miss Castleton. "
he said. in a queer, jerky manner.
Wont you let me say that / wish
you all the happiness still to be found
in this rather uneven world of ours? ?"
The browning testimonial to an alb
solutely sincere ego!
CHAPTER XXI.