The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-01-21

Judged. Judge me az l have judged
you. | am not asking for mercy"
Hetty impulslvely threw her arms
about the rigid figure, and swept a
pleading look from one to sne other
OF the four stony-faced Wrandalls.
They turned away without a word
or a revealing look, and slowly moved
off IN the direction of the boudoir.
They who remained behind stood still,
motionless as statues. 1t was Vivian
who opened the library door. She
closed 1t after the others had passed
through. and did not look behind.
Halt 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 he 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. II must never be retold. We
ask this OF all of you. II Is not in
our hearts to thank Sara for shielding
you, for her hand is still raised
against US. We ire 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, II you choose to call 1t
that, is sealed. No man shall yer
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 Ia our hands"
"Oh. God, thank thes--I thank
thce!" burst from the lips Of Sara
Wrandall. She strained Hetty t o her
breast.
1T 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 a temporarily ~deranged
mind. You could never have carried
II 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 a real grisv-
II AnRA against Vnu In thin ynatfnr I
am convinced that he loved Miss
Castleton deeply. The worst hurt is
his, and he has been your most de-
voted advocate during ell 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 1t to the end. We leave you to
pass Judgment on yourself"
Il have already done so, Mr.. Wran-
DALI" said Sara. Have | not &C
cused myself before you? Have l not
confessed to the only crime that haze
been committed? 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. 1t was when | robbed you
Of your Sol To this day | am the
leper in your path. ! may be forgiven
for all else, but not for allowing Chal-
lis Wrandall to become the husband
OF Sebastian Gooch's daughter. That
Is the objectionable sim"
Mr.. Wrandall was silent for q mo-
ment.
You still are Sebastian Cooch's
daughter" he said distinctly. You
can never be anything else"
She paled. This 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 murmured, rather piteously. Am
| SO different from the rest of you ?
Is the blood to blame?"
"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mr.. Carroll
~nervocsly. Don't be silly, Sara, my
child. That is not what Mr.. wran-
dali means"
Wrandall turned his face away.
You loved rs deeply as you hate,
Sara" he said, with a curious witch
ing of his chin. my son was your god.
We are not ineensible to that. Per-
haps We have never realized until now
the depth and breadth Of your love
for him. Love Is a bitter Judge OF its
enemies. IL knows no mercy N
knows no reason. Hate may 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 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.
I'VE are ready. father" he said
thickly.
After q moments hesitation. he
crossed " to Hetty. who stood BE-
side Sara.
II can now understand why o
refused to marry me. Miss Castleton."
he said. In a queer. 1erky manner.
Wont ycu let me say that ! wish
you all the happiness still to be found