The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1914-06-25

remember that it is I who am to be
judged. Judge me as 1 have judged
you. am not asking for mercy"
Hetty impulsively threw her arms
about the rigid figure, and swept a
pleading look from one to the other
OF the four stony-faced Wrandalls.
They turned away witholst word
or revealing look, and slowly moved
OF in the direction Of the boudoir.
They who remained behind stood still,
motionless as statues. It was Vivian
who opened the library door. She
closed it after the others had passed
through, and did not look behind.
Half an hour passed. Then the door
was opened and the tall old man ad-
vanced into the room.
I'VE have found against my son,
Miss Castleton," he said, his lips
twitching. "He is not here to speak
for himself. but ae 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. It must never be retold We
ask this Of all. Of you. It is not in
our hearts to thank Sara for shielding
you, for her hand is still raised
against Us. We are fair and just.
II you had come to us on that
wretched night and told the story
OF, my sons infamy, we, the Wrandalls,
Would have stood between you and the
law. The law could not have touched
you then; 1t shall not touch you now.
Our verdict, If you choose to call it
that, is sealed. No man shall ever
hear from the lips Of a Wrandall 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, I thank thee-l thank
thee!" burst from the lips Of Sara
Wrandall. She strained Hetty to her
breast.
"It is not for US to Judge you, Sara" /"
said Redmond Wrandall, speaking with
difficulty. "You are your own Judge.
and a harsh one you will find yourself.
AS for ourselves, we can only look
upon your unspeakable design as the
working of 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 real griev-
ance against you in this matter. l
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
a 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-
dall," said Sara Have not ac-
cused myself before you? Have I not
confessed to the only crime that has
been committed? I 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. It was when I robbed you
Of your son. To thisyday l am the
leper in your path. l..may be forgiven
for all else, but not ssor allowing Chal-
lis Wrandall to become the husband
Of Sebastian Gooch's daughter. That
is the unpardonabie sin"
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. "Egfs 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 murE1ured, rather piteously. Am
50 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 curious twitch-
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 bitter Judge Of its
enemies It knows no mercy, it
knows no reason. Hate ,oay 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 l 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.
1--WE are ready, father" he SAID
thickly.
After a moments hesitation, he
crossed over to Hetty, who stood be-
side Sara.
IL can now understand why you
refused to marry me, Miss Castleton," ;"
he said, in queer. jerky manner
Wont you let me say that I wish
you all the happiness still to be found
in this rather uneven world Of ours?"
The crowning testimonial to an alb
solutely sincere ego.