Middletown transcript., 1915-03-13

But Miss Weeks rather welcomed
than resented this curiosity. Indeed,
she was never tired of enlarging upon
the Ostranders.
Il have never thought SO. The judge
would not quarrel with Oliver on so
small a point as that. My idea is,
though l never talk of 1t much, that
they had a great quarrel over Mr..
Etheridge. Oliver never liked the old
student; I've watched them and I've
seen. He hated his coming to the
house 80 much; he hated the way his
father singled him out and deferred
to him and made him the confident OF
all his troubles. When they went on
their walks, Oliver always hung back,
and more than once l have seen him
make q grimace of. distaste when his
father urged him, forward. He was
only boy, know, but his dislikes
meant something, and If 1t ever hap
pened that he spoke out his whole
mind, you may be sure that some very
bitter words passed"
Was this meant as an innuendo?
Impossible to tell. Such nervous,
fussy little bodies often possess minds
of unexpected subtlety Deborah gave
up all hope of understanding her. and,
accepting her statements at their face
value, effusively remarked:
You must have a very superior
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 sudden as it 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.
| ndJ ne cApGClSu " SOhA
daughter? Oh, yes, Mrs. Scoville; it's
common talk here now. hope yor
don't mind my mentioning 1t"
Deborah's head went up. She faced
the other fairly, with the look born o.
mother passion, and mother passion
only.
"Reuther is blameless in this mat
ter" she protested. She was brough
up in ignorance of what l felt SURE
would prove a handicap and misery t
her. She loves Oliver as she will nevel
love any other man, but when she wa'
told her real name and understood
fully what that name carries with 1t
she declined to saddle him with he
shame. That's her story. Miss Weeks
one that hardly fits her appearance
which is very delicate. And, let mi
add, having once accepted her father
name, she refuses to be known by an,
other. I have brought her to Shelb.
where to our own surprise and Reu
ther's great happiness, we have beel
taken in by Judge Ostrander, an act o
kidness for which we are very CRATE
full"
Miss Weeks got up. took down on
Of her rarest treasures from an oil
etagere standing in one corner an
laid it in Mrs. Scoville's hand.
For your daughter" she declared
Noble girl! hope she will be happy.
The mother was touched, but nc
quite satisfied yet of the giver's rea
feelings towards Oliver, and, afte
thanking her warmly, remarked:
I There is but one thing that wi
, ever make Reuther happy, and tina
she cannot have unless a miracle OF
, ours. Oh, do not wonder you smile
This is not the day of miracles. Blu
, If my belief in my husband could b
=, shared; if should be enabled to clea
, his name, might not love and loyalt
! be left to do the rest? Wouldn't tn
judges objections, in that case, be r,
moved? What do you think. Mis-
Weeks?"
; There! we will say no more abou
it," The little woman's attitude an
voice were almost prayerful. "Yo
have judgment enough for two B,
+ sides, the miracle has not happened
she interjected. with a smile whic
seemed to say 1t never would
:. Deborah sighed. Whether or ne
it was quite an honest expression {
s her feeling we will not inquire Sh
d was there for a definite purpose an
e her way to it was, as yet, far frol
, plain. The negative with which sh
followed up this sigh was one of so
n rowful acceptance. She made hast
e however, to qualify it.
y But have not given up all hope
s know as well as any one how impO
sible the task must prove, unless ca