The Raymer enterprise., 1915-02-25
TheHOQOW
Is > Of Her Hand
George Barr MoCutCheOn
,NIIZZ M 6yOODD Hf1GD G.. CO134If/

nusDano sat Gown. Inelr jaws Bel
hard.
Thank you. Vivian" said Sara. sur
prised in spite Of herself. you are
nobler than +"
please don't thank me. Sara" said
Vivian icily. Il was speaking for Miss
Castleton."
Sara flushed. Il suppose 1t is use.
less to ask you to be fair to Sara
Gooch, as you choose to call me-"
DO you feel in your heart that we
still owe you anything7"
Enough. OF this. VIVIAN" spoke up
her father hashly. III Miss Castle.
ton desires to speak We will listen to
her. l must advise you, Miss Castle
ton, that the extraordinary disclosures
made by my daughter-in-law do not
lessen your culpability. We do not in
sist on this confession from you. You
deliver 1t at your own risk. want
to be fair with you. II Mr.. Carroll
is your counsel, he may advise you
now to refuse to make q statement" "
Mr.. Carroll bowed slightly in the
general direction of the Wrandalls. Il
have already advised Miss Castleton
to state the case fully and completely
to you, Mr.. Wrandall. It was who
originally suggested this-well, what
you might call private trial for her.
am firmly convinced that when you
have heard her story, you. ~ her
judges. will acquit her Of the charge
OF murder. Moreover, you will be con
tent to let your own verdict end the
matter. sparing yourselves the shame
and ignominy Of having her story told
In criminal court for the delectation
of an eager but somewhat implacable
world"
"Your language ID extremely un.
pleasant. Mr.. Carroll" said Mr.. Wran.
dali coldly.
II meant to speak kindly, SIR"
do you mean, sir, that we will let
the matter rest after hearing the"
THAT is precisely what / mean. Mr..
Wrandall. You will not consider her
guilty of a crime. Please bear In
mind this fact: but for Sara and Miss
Castleton you would not have known
the truth. Miss Castleton could not
be convicted In court OF justice. Nor
will she be convicted here this eve.
ming. In this little court OF ours"
Miss Castleton IL not on trial." In
terposed Sara calmly. Il am the Of.
fender. She has already been tried
and proved innocent"
Leslie. In his impatience, tapped
sharply on the table with his seal ring.
please let her tell the story. Per
nit me to say. Miss Castleton. that
you will not find the Wrandalls as
harsh and vindictive az you may have
been led to believe"
Mrs. Wrandall passed her hand over
her eyes. ITO think that we have
been friendly to this girl all these"
Calm yourself. my dear" said her
husband, after . glance at his son
and daughter. a glance Of unspeak.
able helplessness. He could not un.
derstand them.
As Hetty arose, Mrs. Wrandall sen.
ior lowered her eyes and not once did
she look up during the recital that
followed. Her hands were lying Imply
In her lap. and she breathed heavily,
almost stertoriously. The younger
Wrandalls leaned forward with their
clear. unwayering gaze fixed on the
earnest face Of the young English.
woman who had slain their brother.
you have heard Sara accuse her.
self." said the girl slowly. dispassion.
ately. THE shock was no greater to
you than 1t was to me. All that she
has said Is true. and yet IL would