Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-07-03
CHAPTER xlj-contInued.

CHAPTER Xll-Continued.
Not now. Not since I have foun,
you out. The thing I have feared al
along has come to pass. am relieved
now that you show me Just where
truly stand. But. I asked: what o.
your"
The world h more likely to applaud
than to curse me. Hetty. 1t likes {
new sensation. My change of hear
will appear quite natural"
Are you sure that the world will
applaud your real design? You hate
the Wrandalls. Will they be charitable
toward you when the truth il given
out! Will Leslie applaud you? Listen
please: / am trying to save you from
yourself, Sara. You will fail in every
thing you have hoped for. You will
be more accused than l. The world
will pity me. 1t may even forgive me.
1t will listen to my story. which ID
more than you will do, and 1t will be-
heve me. All, am not afraid now.
At nrst l was in terror. had no hope
to escape. All that 10 past Today
am ready to take my chances with the
big. generous world. Men will try me,
and men are not made Of stone and
steel. They punish but they do not
avenge when they sit in Jury boxes.
They are not women! Good God, Sara.
u there q man living today who could
have planned this thing you have cher
lshed all These months? Not one! And
. all men will curse you for 1t, even
though they send me to prison or to
theA chair. But they will not con.
demnN me. They will hear my story
and they will set me free. And then,
what of your"
Sara stood perfectly rigid, regarding
this earnest easoner with growing
wonder.
my DEAR" she SAID. you would bet.
ter be thinking of yourse II, not of me. :"
why. when l tell my story. the
world will hate you. Sara Wrandall.
You have helped me. you. have been
good to me. no matter what sinister
motive you may have had lin doing 90.
It Is my turn to help YOU"
ITO help mel" cried Sara. aston.
shed In spite of herself
"Yes. To save you from execra-
hon--and even worse"
There Is no moral wrong in mar.
rage with Leslie Wrandall," said
Sara. returning to her own project.
mo moral wrong!" cried Hetty.
ashast- mo. I suppose not" she went
on. q moment later. 1T is something
much deeper. much hiacker than moral
wrong. There Is no word for 1t. And
marry him, what then? Wherein
Ties your triumph? You can't mean
hat-God IN heaven! You would not
80 to then with the truth when It was
toe !ate for him TOTO cast me Off"
i am no such fool as that. The
secret would be forever safe in that
event. My triumph. as you call It.
We will not discuss"
How you must hate me. to be will.
Ing to do such an infamous thing to
mel"
i do not hate you. Hetty."
In heavens name. what do you call
Justification. Listen to me now
! am saying this for your good sense
to seize and appreciate. Would It be
right In me to allow you to marry any
other man. knowing all that | know?
There IL but one man you can in just.
Ice marry: the one who can repair the
wreck that hts own blood created. Not
Brandon Booth. nor any man save Les
lie Wrandall He Is the man who must
pay"
Il do not intend to marry" said |
Hetty.
But Leslie win marry some one.
and l intend that 1t shall be you. He
shall marry the ex-chorus girl. the
artists model. the-the prostitute!
Walt! Don't iy at me like that!
Don't assume that look of virtuous
horror! Let me say what I have to
say. This much Of your story shall
they know. and no more. They will be
proud of you!"
Hetty's eyes were blazing. You use
hat name-you call me that-and vet
vou have kissed me, caressed me-
owed mel" she cried hoarse with pas
ion.
He will ask you tonight for the
'econd time. You will accept him
mat II ALL"
You must take back what you
ave just said to me-of me-Sara
Vrandall. You must unsay it! You
aust beg my pardon for that!"
81 draw no line between mi.tre.,