The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-07-25
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~GeOr9e Barr MoCutCheOn
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in a criminal court for the delectation
of an eager but somewhat implacable
world"
Your language is extremely un-
pleasant, Mr.. Carroll" said Mr. Wran-
dali coldly.
Il meant to speak kindly, sir"
DO you mean, sir, that We will let
the matter rest after hearing the"
That is precisely what mean. Mr..
Wrandall. You will not consider her
guilty of crime. Please bear in
mind this fact: but for Sara and Miss
Castleton you would not have known
the truth. Miss Castleton could not
be convicted in court of justice. Nor
will she be convicted here this eve
ming, in this little court Of ours"
Miss Castleton is not on trial." in
terposed Sara calmly. 81 am the Of
fender. She has already been tried
and proved innocent"
Leslie, in his Impotence, tapped
sharply on the table with his seal ring.
please let her tell the story. Per-
you will not find the Wrandalls as
harsh and vindictive as you may have
been led to believe"
Mrs. Wrandall passed her hand over
her eyes. ITO think that we have
been friendly to this girl all these
Calm yourself, my DEAR" said her
husband, after a glance at his son
and daughter, a glance Of unspeak
able helplessness. He could not un'
derstand them.
AS Hetty arose, Mrs. Wrandall sen
ior lowered her eyes and not once did
she look up during the recital that
followed. Her hands were lying Imply
in her lap. and she breathed heavily
almost stertoriously. The younger
Wrandalls leaned forward with theiI
clear, unwavering gaze fixed on the
earnest face of the young English
woman who had slain their brother.
You have heard Sara accuse her
SELF" said the girl slowly, dispassion
ately. The shock was no greater t.
you than it was to me. All that she
has said is true, and yet II would
so much rather she had left hersel
unarraigned. We were agreed that
should throw myself on your mercy
Mr.. Carroll said that you were faiI
and just people. that you would no
condemn me under the circumstances
But that Sara should seek to take tn,
blame is"
Alas, my dear, am to blame" sait
Sara, shaking her head. But for M
your story would have been toll
months ago, the courts would hav,
cleared you, and all the world woul'
have execrated my husband for tn
thing he did-my husband and you
son, Mrs. Wrandall-whom we bot
loved. God believe me, 1 think love,
him more than all Of you put tc
gether!"
She sat down abruptly and burie,
her face in her arms on the edge o
the table.
IF I could only induce you to fol
give her." began Hetty, throwing GU
her hands to the Wrandalls, only to b
met by gesture of repugnance fror
the grim old man.
Your story, Miss Castleton," b
said hoarsely.
From the beginning, If you please,
added the lawyer quietly. Leave on
nothing"
Clearly, steadily and with the u
most sincerity in her voice and maj
ner, the girl began the story of he
life. She passed hastily over the eal
lier periods, frankly exposing the III
happy conditions attending her HON
life, her subsequent activities as
performer on the London stage afte
Colonel Castleton's detection; the fe'
months devoted to posing for Hawl
right. the painter, and later on he
engagement as governess in til
wealthy Budlong family. She devote
some time and definiteness to her firs
encounter with Challis Wrandall O
board the west-bound steamer, an Il