Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-01-19
THE MYSTERY OF
AGATHA WEBB.
Bv ANNA KATHARINE GREENE,
Author of Leavenworth Case, "Lost Mans Lane
and Ring" Etc, Etc.
Copyright by Anna
CHAPTER XIV.

open. q father to see (as In his heart
he still called Mr.. Sutherland). 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 or this
eventful day-Agnes. for instance.
How could he meet her pure gaze!
But 1t 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
past and took from him a son, almost
a wife, without leaving him one memo
~ 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-
couragement 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
eyes and timid gestures, stepped up be-
fore him. 1t was Amabel.
"Forgiver' she murmured. looking
like pleading saint. 81 did not know,
l never dreamed you were so much of
a man. Frederick; that you bore such a
heart, cherished such griefs, was so
worthy Of love and a woman's admira-
ton. If 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.
"When 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 l will
forgive you"
And he was passing on when another
touch detained him. He turned, this
time in some impatience, 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:
81 only wanted to say that 1t 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. Webb'S
death. This was his secret, which was
shared by me-"
"By you|
"Yes. by me. am more closely link
ed to this affair than you can readily
imagine. Some day may be able to
explain myself. but not now. Only re-
member 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 man. But" he added.
with a sidelong look at the group of
men still lowering about the coroner's
table. 81 had rather think 1t was for
some more important 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 ia
ther
No one interrupted Frederick after
he had shut. that door behind him. but
the large crowd that in the halls and
on the steps Of the building awaited
his temperance showed that the pub.
lie interest was still warm in matter
affecting so deeply the heart and in
tereStS of their best citizen. When.
therefore. that long closed door final
ly opened and Frederick was seen es-
corting Mr. Sutherland on his arm,
the tide Of feeling which had not yet
subsided since Agatha'S letters were
read vented itself in one great sob
Of relief. for Mr.. Sutherland's face was
calmer than when they had last seen
it and his step more assured. and he
leaned or made himself lean on Fred
erck'S arm. as If to impress upon all
who saw them that the ties Of years
cannot be shaken off 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
and long glance about him on faces he
knew and faces he did not know. on
those who were near and those who
were far. and, raising his voice. which
did not tremble as much as might have
been expected. said deliberately: