The state herald., 1915-11-12

up all hope Of understanding her, and.
accepting her statements at their face
value, cffusively remarked:
mind to draw such conclusions from
the little you have seen. have heard
many explanations given for the
breach you name, but never any so
reasonable"
A fash from the spinster's wary eye,
then a burst of courage and the quick
retort:
And what explanation does Oliver
himself give? You ought to know.
Mrs. Scoville."
The attack was as sudosn as 1t was
unexpected Deborah flushed and
trimmed her sails for this new tack,
and insinuating gently. Then you
have heard" waited for the enlight-
eminent these words were likely to
evoke.
1t came quickly enough
That he expected to marry your
daughter? Oh. yes. Mrs. Scoville: it's
common talk here now. hope you
don't mind my mentioning It."
Deborah's head went up. She faced
the other fairly. with the look born of
mother passion. and mother passion
only.
"Reuther is blameless in this mat.
ter" she protested She was brought
up in ignorance of what ! felt sure
would prove handicap and misery to
her. She loves Oliver as she will never
love any other man. but when she was
told her real name and understood
fully what that name carries with 1t.
she declined to saddle him with her
shame That's her story. Miss Weeks;
one that hardly fits her appearance.
which is very delicate. And let me
add, having once accepted her fathers
name. she refuses to be known by any
other. have brought her to Shelby
where to our own surprise and Reu-
Tiers great happiness. we have been
taken in by Judge Ostrander, an act Of
kindness for which We are very crate
full"
Miss Weeks got up. took down one
Of her rnrest treasures from an old
etagere standing In one corner and
laid II In Mrs. Scoville's hand
For your daughter" she declared.
Noble girl! hope she will be happy"
The mother was touched. but not
quite satisfied yet of the giyer's real
feelings towards Oliver. and. after
thanking her warmly. remarked:
There is but one thing that will
ever make Reuther happy. and that
she cannot have unless "a miracle oc.
ours. oh. do not wonder you smile
This is not the day OF miracles. But
II my belief In my husband could be
shared; II should be enabled to clear
his name, might not love and loyalty
be left TO do the rest? Wouldn't the
judges objections. In that case, be re.
movedg What do you think. Miss
Weeks?"
THERE We will say no more about
IT," The little woman's attitude and
voice were almost prayerfui. You
have judgment enough for two ne.
sides. the miracle has not happened, ("
she intorjected, with a smile which
seemed to say II never would
Deborah sighed Whether or not
II was quite an honest expression OF
her feeling We will not inquire She
was there for a definite purpose and
her way to II was. ns yet. far from
plain. The nogntly. with which she
followed up this sigh was one OF sor.
rowful acceptance She made haste.
however. TO qualify It.
But ! have not given up all hope
know Ms well as any one how impos.
hible tho task must prove. unless I can
ligh, upon fresh evidence And where
am to &c, thnt7 Only from some
new witness"
Miss Weeks polite smile took on an
expression OF Indulgence This reused
Debornh'u pride aud. hebitating no
longer, she anSlousiy remarked;
u have sometimes thought that
Oliver oriranicr might be that wit.
ness. iic certainly was In the ravinc
the night Algcrnon Ethcridge was
! huuch noWhs
Had she been an experienced actress
OF years she could not have thrown
into this question n greater lack OF all
innuondo Miss Weeks. already un.
der her fascination. heard the tone bu,
never thought to rotico the quick rise
and fall Of her visitors uneasy bobom,
ana 20 unNarned. responded with all
due ftanknnsAi
y know he wan liu, how viii ,hn,
help yoi7 lilo had no testimony "a
give In relation to tails crime, or h.
would have given n"
That IN true" The admission fell
mechanically from Deborah's Iips;
she was not conscious. even Of makins
II Then. az her emotion chotec ior
INTO silence she sat with pltooua eyes
searching Miss Weeks face. IN abs
had recovered her voice. Wbsn sbs
! added THIS vital uuauilont