The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-07-23
CHAPTER XII.-Continued.

CHAPTER Nl.-Continueo.
Not now. Not since l have found
YOU out The thing l have feared all
along has come to pass. am relieved.
now that you show me just where
truly stand. But, l asked: what of
you?"
The world is more likely to applaud
than to curse me, Hetty. 1t likes a
new sensation. My change of heart
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 is given
out? Will Leslie applaud you? Listen,
please: l am trying to save you from
yourself, Sara. You will fail in every
thing you have hoped for. You will
be more accursed than l. The world
will pity me, it may even forgive me.
1t will listen to my story, which is
more than you will do, and it will be-
Eeve me. All, 1 am not afraid now
At first was in terror. I had no hope
to escape. All that is 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.
is there man living today who could
have planned this thing you have cher
ished all these monIhs? Not one! And
all men will curse you for it, even
though they send me to prison or to
the-chair. But they will not con-
denim me. They will hear my story
and they will set me free. And then,
what Of you?"
Sara stood perfectly rigid, regarding
this earnest reasoner with growing
wonder.
My dear" she said, you would bet
ter be thinking Of yourself, not of me. y
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 in doing SO
1t is my turn to help you"
TO help mel" cried Sara, aston
ighed in spite of herself.
Yes. To save you from execra
tion-and even worse
There is no moral wrong in mar
rage with Leslie WrandaI," sale
Sara, returning to her own project.
No moral wrong!" cried Hetty
aghast. mo, l suppose not" she wen
on, a moment later. 1T is something
much deeper, much blacker than mora
wrong. There is no word for it, Ant
If | marry him, what then? Wherein
lies your triumph? You cant NEAR
bat Co1 ~,
go to them with the truth when it wa
too late for him TOTO cast me off !!
Il am no such fool as that. TIL
secret would be forever safe in tina
event. My triumph, as you call il
we will not discuss"
How you must hate me, to be will
ing to do such an infamous thing t
me-"
Il do not hate you, Hetty"
IN heavens name, what do you ca
it,"
Justification. Listen to me nov
am saying this for your good sens
10 seize and appreciate. Would it b
right in me to allow you to marry an
other man, knowing all that l know
There is but one man you can in jus
~ mail lHc OUS w lO call repair III
wreck that his own blood created. Nc
Brandon Booth, nor any man save Lee
lie Wrandall. He is the man who mus
pay"
Il DO not intend to marry" sal
Hetty.
But Leslie will marry some on
and intend that it shall be you. H
shall marry the ex-chorus girl, til
artists model, the-the prostitute
Wait. Don't fly at me like thai
Don't assume that look of virtuoy
horror. Let me say what | have
say. This much of your story sha
they know, and no more. They will
proud of you!"
Hetty's eyes were blazing. you u:
mat nane-you call me that-and y
you have kissed me, caressed me-
loved mel" she cried hoarse with pa
sion.
He will ask you tonight for Il
second time. You will accept hill
That is all"
You must take back what "
nave just said to me-of mesa
"randall. You must unsay it! VI
must beg my p0rdon for that!"
/ draw no line between mistre
ana prostitute"