The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-05-14
CHAPTER XVI.
The curtain LIfted.

rang the bell OF Judge Ostranders
house. But II was not late, and his
agitation had but few minutes in
which to grow. before the gate swung
Wide and he felt her hand In his
She was expecting him. There was
no necessity for preliminaries, and he
could ask at once for the Judge and
whether he was strong enough to bear
disappointment
Deborah's answer was disconcerting.
Eve not seen him. He admits no
body. When enter the library, he re-
treats TO his bedroom. | have not
even been allowed TO hand him his
letters. put them on his tray when |
carry In his meals"
Il am afraid he never will hear
from oliver. The boy gave US the
slip In the most remarkable manner.
viii tell you when we get inside"
When she had heard him through,
she looked about the room they were
| In. with lingering. distracted gaze
he hardly understood till he saw II
fall with an indescribable aspect of
sorrow upon picture which had late
ly been found and rehung upon the
wall II was a portrait Of divers
mother.
Il am disappointed" she murmured
In bitter reflection to herself. Il did
not expect oliver to clear himself. but
did expect him to face his accusers
II only for his fathers sake. What am
to say now to the judge?"
Nothing tonight. In the morning
we will talk the whole subject over.
must first explain myself to An
drews. and. II possible, learn his In
tentions; then | shall know better
} what TO advise"
did the officer you met on your
return from Tempest lodge follow you
| to Shelby"
Il have not seen him."
"That is bad. He followed Oliver"
1T was to be expected"
, "Oiiver is In Canada?"
! Undoubtedly"
o (which means"
'Delay, then extradition. It's that
a fellow Flanagan who has brought
this upon us, The wretch knows
:. something which forbids us to hope"
ALAS. yes" And silence followed
\ during which such entire stiffness
4 rested upon the house that similar
! thought rose In both minds Could II
be that under this same roof. and only
. separated from them by partition
!, there brooded another human being
4 helplessly awaiting a message which
! would never come. and listening. but
\ how yainly. for the step and voice fol
a which he hungered, though they were
!, the prelude to further shame and the
i signal for coming punishment.
SO strong was this thought In botf
their minds. that the shadow deep
i, ened upon both faces. as though {
!. presence had passed between them
. and when Mr. Black rose. as he yer,
I, soon did. II was with an evident dread
= OF leaving her alone with this thought
3 They we're lingering yet In the hall
j the good night raltering on their lips
4 when suddenly their eyes flashed TO
q gether In mutual question. and Deb
orah bent her ear toward the street
= An automobile was slowing up
stopping stopping before the gates
Deborah turned and looked at Mi
Black Then the bell rang, Neve
2 had ii sounded so shrill and penetrat
!, ing, Never had It rung quite such
:" summons through this desolate house
:, Recoiling, she made motion OF er
VI treaty
~ Go" she whispered. open!
cannot
g Quickly he obeyed. She Leard hill
pass out and down the walk, an
eu through the first gate. Then ther
o. came a silence. followed by the opel
Ing OF the second gate. Then, SCUM
= like smothered greetings, followed
pc quickly advancing steps and vote
she knew:
~ How is my father2 Is he well?
ne annot enter till know"
~ Il was oliyerl-come from some di
u. tant station, or from some other lin
!. which he had believed unwatche
rumultuous as her thoughts were. ST
dared not indulge In them for m
-. ment or give way TO gratitude or ar
other emotion. There were words
!. !, be said-words which must be uttert
4, on the instant and with as much II
periousness as his own
ne Throwing the door wide. she Gale
,ry down the steps:
Yes. he is wen. Come in. MIR. O
Il" trander and YOU. too. Mr.. Blac
ED Instructions have been given me
-se the judge. which must deliver
once He expects you, Oliver" s.
~ went on. as the two men stepped
aid HE babe me say to you immediate
md upon your entrance that much as
of would like to be on hand to greet yc
he cannot see you tonight. For
the night at least. and up to certain no
ord tomorrow, you are TO keep your oy
counsel When certain persons who
names he has given me can be gott
together in this house. he will jc
you. giving you your first meeting
srs. the presence OF others. Afterwar