The Raymer enterprise., 1915-03-04
George Barr MoCutCheOn

remember that II Is ! who am to be
judged. Judge me as have judged
YOU. ! am not asking for mercy"
Hetty impulsiyely threw her arms
about the rigid figure, and swept a
pleading look from one to the other
OF the four stony-faeed Wrandalls.
They turned away without a word
or a revealing look, and slowly moved
of In the direction OF the boudolr.
They who remained behind stood still.
motionless as statues. II 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.
ranced into the room.
We 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. 1t Is not In
our hearts TO thank Sara for shielding
you, for her hand Is still raised
against US. We are fair and just.
If 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; II shall not touch you now.
Our verdict, II 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. thank thee-I thank
thee," burst from the lips OF Sara
Wrandall. She strained Hetty to her
breast.
1T is not for us to Judge you, Sara"
said Redmond Wrandall, speaking with
difficulty. you are your own Judge.
and 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
1t 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 griev-
ance against you In this matter.
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 II to the end. We leave you to
pass judgment on yourself"
Il have already done so, Mr.. Wran.
dali" said Sara Have | not ac.
cused myself before you? Have | not
confessed to the only crime that has
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. II was when / robbed you
Of your son. 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 sin"
Mr.. Wrandall was silent for a mo.
ment.
You still are Sebastian Gooch's
daughter he said distinctly. ".You
can never be anything else"
She paled. This last transaction