The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-11
CHAPTER XXXIv.

But Frederck'' day OF trial was not yet over.
There was a closed door TO open. father to
as in his heart he still called Mr.. Suther-
landl. Then there were friends to face. and
foes. under conditions he. better than any one
else, knew were In some regards made worse
rather than better by the admissions and
revelations Of this evsntfu day-Aenes. for in
stance. How could he meet her pure gaze?
But IT was his father he must first confront.
his father to whom he would have to re peat in
private the tale which robbed the best OF men OF
a past and took from him son. almost n wife.
without leaving him one memory calculated
to console him. Frederick was absorbed
in this anticipation that he scarcely noticed
the two or three tind hands stretched out in
announcement toward him. and was moving
slowly toward the door. behind which his
father:had disappeared so many hours BEFORE
when he was recalled to the interests OF the
moment by single word uttered not very far
from him. 1t was simply: "Well?" But It
was uttered by Knapp and repeated by Mr.
Courtney.
Frederick shuddered and was hurrying on
when he found hiLsel! stopped by piteous
hgure that. with appealing eyes and timid Res-
lures. stepped up before him. 1t was Amabel
Forgive" she murmured. looking like a
pleading saint. Il did not know. l never
dreamed you were so much Of man. Fred
erick that you bore such heart. cherished
such grisfs was worthy OF love and a wo-
mans admiration. II had
Her EXPRESSION was eloquent. more eloquent
than he had ever seen 1t. for it had real feeling
In it; but he put her coldly by.
when my fathers white hairs become
black again and he story OF my shame is for
gotten in this never-forgetting world. then
come back and will forgive you
And.he was passing on when another touch
detained him. He turned. this time in some
impotence. only TO meet the frank eyes OF
Sweetwater. As he knew very little of this
young man. save that he was the amateur de-
tective who had BY some folly Of his own been
carried off on the Hesper. and who was proba-
blv the only man saved from.its wreck. he was
about to greet him with some commonplace
phrase OF congratulation when Sveetwater
interrupted him with the following words:
Il only wanted to say that it may be easier
for you to approach YOUR father with the reve-
lations you are about 10 make IL you knew
that in his present frame OF mind he is much
more likely to he relieved by such proofs Of
innocence as you can give him than over
whelmed by such as show the lack OF kinship
between YOU For two weeks Mr.. Sutherland
has been bending under the belief OF your per-
sonal crminalitv In this matter of Mrs. Webb's
death. This was his secret. which was shared
by me-"
BY you?"
Yes. by me! am more closely linked 20
this affair than you can readily imagine.
Some day NAV he able to explain myself. but
not now. Only remember what have said
about your father-pardon me. Mr.. Sutherland
and act accordingly Perhaps 1t was to tell
YOU this | was forced back here against my
will and best interest by the strongest series
OF events that ever happened to a man. But"
bo odd al urish n siJ ut ba Of
men still lowering about the Coroners table.
Il had rather think it was for some more i'm
portant office still But this the future will
show. the future which seem to see lowering
in the faces over there
And waiting for no reply he melted into the
crowd
Frederick passed at once to his father.
No one interrupted Frederick after he had
shut the door behind him. but the large crowd
that in the halls and on the steps o. the build
ing awaited his rcappearance showed that tie
public interest was still warm in matter al
fectinG 40 deeply the heart and interests Of
their best citizen. When. therefore, that long
closed door finally opened and Frederick was
seen escortinE Mr.. Sutherland on his arm. tho
tide Of feeling which had not yet subsidized
since Agatha'S letters were read vented itself
in one great sob o! relief For Mr.. Suther-
lands face was calmcr than when they had
last seen It aud his step more assured. and he
leaned. or made himself lean. on Frederlck's
arm. as il to impress upon all who saw
them that the ties OF wears cannot be shaken
of so easily. and that he still looked upon
Frederick as his son.
But he was not contented with this dumb
show. eloquent as it was. As the crowd parted
and these two imposing figures took their way
down the steps To the carriage which had been
sent for them, Mr., Sutherland cast one deep