The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1914-05-02
~ y GNOHlT d4IR NfsCuI

raven-like specters in tearing her to
pieces II they but knewl
The droning voice came up from be-
low, each well-chosen word distinct
and clear: tribute beautiful to the IRE
proachable character of the deceased.
Leslie watched the face Of the girl,
curiously fascinated by the set, emo
tionless features. and yet without
conscious interest In her. He was
DULY sensible to the fact that she was
beautiful, uncommonly beautiful. 1t
did not occur to him to feel that she
was out of place among them, that she
belonged down stairs. Somehow she
was a part of the surroundings. like
the specter at the feast.
II he could have witnessed all that
transpired while Sara was in the room
below with her guest-her companion,
as he had come to regard her without
having in fact been told as much-he
would have been lost in maze Of the
most overwhelming emotions.
To go back: The door had barely
closed behind the two women when
Hetty's trembling knees gave way be-
meath her. With low moan OF hor-
ror, she slipped to the floor, covering
her face with her hands.
Sara knelt beside her.
Come" she said gently, but firmly;
II must exact this much OF you. II
we are to go on together. as we have
planned, you must stand beside me at
his bier. Together we must look upon
him for the last time. You must see
him as / saw him up there in the
country. had my cruel blow that
night. II is your turn now. will not
blame you for what you did. But II
you expect me to go on believing that
you did a brave thing that night, you
must convince me that you are not a
coward now. II is the only test shall
put you to. Come; know 1t is hard,
l know 1t Is terrible, but It is the true
test of your ability to go through with
1t to the end. l shall know then that
you have the courage to face anything
that may come up"
She waited long time, her hand on
the girls shoulder. 1T last Hetty
arose.
"You are right" she said hoarsely.
Il should not be afraid"
Later on they sat over against the
wall beyond the casket, into which
they had peered with widely varying
emotions. Sara had said:
you know that l loved him"
The girl put her hands to her eyes
and bowed her head.
"Oh, how can you be 80 merciful
to me?"
Because he was not" said Sara,
white-lipped. Hetty glanced at the
half-averted face with queer, indescrib-
able expression in her eyes.
II Leslie Wrandall could have looked
In upon them at that moment, or at
any time during the half an hour that
followed, he would have known who
was the slayer OF his brother, but 1t
is doubtful II he could have had the
heart to denounce her to the world.
When they we're ready to leave the
room Hetty had regained control OF
her nerves to a most surprising extent.
condition Enthusiastically due to the
influence of the older woman.
81 can trust myself now, Mrs. Wran-
DALI" said Hetty steadily as they hes
itated for an instant before turning
the knob OF the door.
Then l shall ask you to open the
door," said Sara, drawing back.
Without word or a look, Hetty
opened the door and permitted the
other to pass out before her Then
she followed, closing it gently, even
deliberately, but not without a swift
glance over her shoulder into the
depths of the room they we're leaving.
or the two, Sara Wrandall was the
paler as they went up the broad stair
case with Leslie.
The funeral Grafton by the Rev. DR..
Maltby dragged on. Among all his
hearers there was but one who be-
lieved the things he said of Challis
Wrandall, and she was one Of two per-
sons who, so they saying goes, are