The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-04-30
The MYSTERY
OF AGATHA WEBB.
BY Anna Katherine Greene.
By Anna Katherine Greene.
CHAPTER XIV.
FATHER AND SON.

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
eyentful day-Agnes, for instance.
How could he meet her pure gaze?
But it was his father he must first con-
front, his father to whom he would
have to repeat in private the tale
which robbed the best of men of a
past and took from him son, almost
a wife, without leaving him one memo
ry calculated to console him. Frederick
was so absorbed in this anticipation
that he scarcely noticed the two or
three timid hands stretched out in en-
enlargement toward him and was NOV
ing slowly toward the door, behind
which his father had disappeared so
many hours before, when he was re-
called to the interests of the moment
by a 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 hurry
ing on when he found himself stopped
by piteous figure that, with appealing
ayes and ti1nid gestures, stepped up be-
fore him. 1t was 1Amabel.
"Forgive!" she murmured, looking
like pleading saint. II did not know,
I never dreamed you were so much of
man, Frederick; that you bore such
heart, cherished such griefs. was so
worthy of love and woman's admira-
ton. If l had''-
Her expression was eloquent, more
eloquent than he had ever seen it, for
it had real feeling in it, but he put her
coldly by.
"W'hen my fathers white hairs be
come black again, and the story Of my
shame is forgotten in this never forget
ting 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 detective
who had by some folly of his own been
carried off on the Hesper and who was
probably the only man saved from its
wreck he was about to greet him with
some commonplace phrase of congratu-
lation when Sweetwater interrupted
him with the following words:
i only wanted to say that it may be
easier for you to approach your father
with the revelations you are about to
make if you knew that in his present
frame Of mind he is much more likely
to be relieved by such proofs Of inno-
cence 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 un-
der the belief of your personal crimi-
nality in this matter Of Mrs. Webbs
death. This was his secret, which was
shared by me-"
"By you?"
Eyes, by me. 1 am more closely link.
ed to this affair than you can readily
imagine. Some day may be able tc
explain myself, but not now. Only re
member what I have said about your
father-pardon me, Mr.. Sutherland
and act accordingly. Perhaps it was
to tell you this was forced back here
against my will and best interest by
the strongest series of events that evel
happened to a man. But he added
with a sidelong look at the group Of
men still lowering about the coroner's
table, II had rather think it was fol
some more important Office still. Blu
this the future will show, the future
which l seem to see lowering in thu
faces over there"
And, waiting for no reply, he melted
into the crowd.
Frederick passed at once to his ia
ther
No one interrupted Frederick afte
he had shut that door behind him, bu
the large crowd that in the halls ant
on the steps of the building awaited
his temperance showed that the pub
lie interest was still warm in matte
affecting so deeply the heart and in
terests of their best citizen. Wher
therefore, that long closed door fina
ly opened and Frederick was seen es
corting Mr.. Sutherland on his arm
the tide of feeling which had not We
subsidized since Agatha's letters wer
read vented itself in one great SO
of relief, for Mr.. Sutherland's face wa
calmer than when they had last see
it and his step more assured, and
leaned or made himself lean on FREQ
erick's arm, as if to impress upon a
who saw them that the ties of year
cannot be shaken off SO easily and tina
he still looked upon Frederick as hi
son.
But he was not contented with thi
dumb show, eloquent as it was. AS til
crowd parted and these two imposin
figures took their way down the steI
to the carriage which had been sci
for them Mr.. Sutherland cast one dee
and long glance about him on faces /
knew and faces he did not know, O
those who were near and those WI
We're far, and, raising his voice. whic
did not tremble as much as might hay
heen nvnected. said deliberately:
CAGT0RIA