The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1915-02-26

have misled you. Your husband was
a guilty man; as guilty a man as any
Iudge ever passed sentence upon"
But he swore the day I last Wis.
TIED MIN In the prison, with his arms
pressed tight about me and his eve
looking straight into mine as you are
looking now, that he never struck that
dow. l did not believe him then:
there were too many dark spots in my
memory of old lies premeditated and
destructive Of my happiness; but
believed him later, and l believe him
now"
Madam, this Is quite Improbable.
A jury of his peers condemned him as
guilty and the law compelled me to
pass sentence upon him. The inev-
liable must be accepted. I have said
my last word"
But not heard mine,' she painted.
For me to acknowledge the inevitable
where my daughters life and happi-
ness are concerned would make me
seem a coward in my own eyes. Helped
or unhelped, with the sympathy or
without the sympathy of one who I
hoped would show himself my friend. I
shall proceed with the task to which
have dedicated myself. You will
forgive me, judge. You see that Johns
last declaration Of innocence goes fur
Their with me than your belief, backed
as 1t Is by the full weight Of the law"
Gazing at her as at one gone sud-
denly demented, he said:
Il fail to understand you, MRS.
will call you Mrs. Averill. You speak
of a task. What task?"
The only one l have a heart for
the proving that Reuther is not the
child of a willful murderer; that an
other mar did the deed for which he
suffered. can do it. l feel confident
that can do it; and if you will not
help me-"
Help you! After what I have said
and reiterated that he is guilty, guilty,
guilty?"
Advancing upon her with each repe-
tion Of the word. he lowered before
her, an imposing, almost formidable
figure. She faced again his anger,
which might we'll be righteous, and
with almost preternatural insight bold.
ly declared:
you are too vehement TO quite con.
vince me. Judge Ostrander. Acknowi.
edge 1t or not, there is more doubt
than certainty In your mind; a doubt
which ultimately will lead you to help
me-. Then my way should broaden
a way, at the end Of which I see q
united couple-my daughter and your
son. oh, she is worthy Of him." the
woman broke forth, as he made an.
other repellent and imperative ges.
ture. TASK anyone in the town where
we have lived"
Abruptly and without apology for
his rudeness. Judge Ostrander turned
his back, hen with a quick whirl about
which brought him face to face with
her once more, he i~mpetuously asked:
Madam, you were in my house this
morning. You came in through the
gate which Bella had left unlocked
viii you explain how you came to dc
this? Did you know that he was goine
, down street, leaving the way open be
hind him? Was there collision be
|, tween you?"
, Her eyes looked clearly into his
She felt hat she had nothing to dis
|, guise or conceal.
! II had urged him to do this, Judg,
Ostrander. l had met him more thar
once in the street when he went GU
to do your errands, and l used all m,
persuasion to induce him to give m,
this one opportunity Of pleading m,
cause with you. He was your devotet
q servant, he showed 1t in his death, Blu
8 he never got over his affection TO
Oliver. l had listened to what folk
said. l had heard that you would receiv,
: nobody; talk to nobody. Bella was m,
a only resource"
He was scrutinizing her keenly, an,
for the first time understandingly
Whatever her station. past or present
1 she was certainly no ordinary woman
4 nor was her face without beauty, II
A as 1t was by passion and every ardo
= Of which q loving woman is capable
. No man would be likely to resist 1t VI
less his m were thrice forged
q Would he himself be able to! He b.
gan to experience a cold fear-a drea
which drew a black veil over the I,
q ture; a blacker veil than that whic
had hitherto rested upon 1t.
n But his face showed nothing. H
proceeded, with a piercing intensit
not to be withstood:
8 when you entered my house thl
morning did you come directly to m
room?"
2? Yes. Bella told me just how I
u reach it."
y And when you saw me indisposed-
unable, in fact. to greet you--what di