The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-04-16
CHAPTER XXI.


who had anything to say had long ago
given In their testimony, and when at
or near noon Sweetwater slid into the
inconspicuous seat he had succeeded
In obtaining near the coroner 1t was to
find in two faces only any signs Of
eagerness and expectancy that filed
his own breast to suffocation. But as
these faces were those of Agnes Halli-
day and Amabel Page he soon recog
nized that his own judgment was not
at fault and that Notwithstanding out
terest shown in the now tagging pro
ceedings the moment presaged an event
full OF unseen but vital consequence.
Frederick was not visible in the
great hall; but that he was near at
hand soon became evident from the
change Sweetwater now saw in ANA
bel; for, while she had hitherto sat I'M
der the universal gaze with only the
faint smile of conscious beauty on her
inscrutable features, she reused as the
hands Of the clock moved toward noon
and glanced at the great door of en-
trance with an evil expectancy that
startled even Sweetwater, SO little had
he really understood the nature of the
passions laboring in that venomous
breast.
Next moment the door opened, and
Frederick and his father came in. The
air of triumphant satisfaction with
which Amabel sank back into her seat
was as marked in its character as her
previous suspense. What did it mean?
6weetwater, noting it and the vivid
contrast it offered to Frederick's air
! Of depression, felt that his return had
been well timed.
Mr.. Sutherland was looking very fee
/; BILE. AS he took the chair offered him
the change in his appearance was ap-
parent to all who knew him, and there
And startled by these evidences of suf-
fering which they could not understand
and feared to interpret, even to them
selves, more than one devoted friend
stole uneasy glances at Frederick 10
see If he, too, were under the cloud
which seemed to envelop his father al
most beyond recognition.
But Frederick was looking at ANA
bel, and his erect head and determined.
aspect made him conspicuous figure
in the room She who had called up
this expression and alone comprehend
ed it fully, smiled, as she met his eye
with that curious slow dipping of her
dimples which had more than once con-
founded the coroner and rendered her
at once the admiration and adherence
Of the crowd who for so long time
had had the opportunity Of watching
her.
Frederick, to whom this smile con-
veyed a last hope as well as last
threat, looked away as soon as posi-
BILE, but not before her eyes had fallen
In their DID, inquiring way to his hands,
from which he had removed the ring
which up to this hour he had invari-
ably worn on his third finger. In this
glance of hers and this action of his
began the struggle that was to make
that day memorable in many hearts.
After the first stir occasioned by the
entrance of two such important per-
sons and possible witnesses the crowd
settled back into it's old quietude under
the coroner's hand tedious witness
was having his slow say. and to him a
full attention was being given in the
hope that some real enlightenment
would come at last to settle the ques-
tons which had been raised by ANA
bells incomplete and unsatisfactory tes-
timOny. But no man can furnish what
he does not possess, and the few final
minutes before noon passed by with
out any addition to the facts which
had already been presented for general
consideration.
AS the witness sat down the clock
began to strike. AS the slow, hesitat.
ing strokes rung out Sweetwater saw
Frederick yield to a sudden but mos.
profound emotion. The old fear, which
we understand il Sweetwater did not
had again seized the victim of ANA
bells ambition. and under her eye
which was blazing full upon him now
with fell and steady purpose. he
found his right hand stealing toward
the left in the significant action she
expected. Better to yield than fal
headlong into the pit one word of hers
could open. He had not meant tt
YIELD but now that the moment ha(
come, now that he must at once ant
forever choose between course tina
led simply to personal unhappiness ant
one that involved not only himself bu
those dearest to him. in disgrace ant
sorrow, he felt himself weaken to tn,
point Of clutching at whatever woult
save him from the consequences O
confession. Moral strength and tina
tenacity Of purpose which only comes
from years of self control We're to-
lately awakened in his breast to sus
tain him now. AS stroke after strok,
fell on the ear he felt himself yield
ing beyond recovery and had almos
touched his finger in the significant &C
+ ton of assent which Amabel awaited
with breathless expectation when :
was it miracle or only the suggestion
Of his better nature?-the memory of I
face full of holy pleading rose from thu
past before his eyes, and with an innel
cry of "Motherw he threw his hant