Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-03-25


with one Of his sour smiles directed to
wards the former, he said:
4 wouldn't be talking about this.
sergeant II viii do no good, and may
subject Us to ridicule."
The sergeant, none too well pleased,
nodded slightly. Seeing which. she
spoke up:
I don't know about that, I should
think it but proper reparation to the
dead to let it be known that his own
story Of innocence has received this
late confirmation.
But the lawyer continued to shake
his head. with a very sharp look at the
sergeant. If he could have his way
he would have this matter stop just
where it was.
This is my daughter, Judge Os-
trander; Reuther, this is the judge"
The Introduction took place at the
outer gates whittier the judge had
gone to receive them.
Reuther threw aside her veil and
looked up into the face bent courte-
ously towards her. 1t had no look of
Oliver. They were fine eyes notwith-
standing, piercing by nature, but just
now misty with a feeling that took
away all her fear. He was going to
like her; she saw it in every trembling
line Of his countenance, and at the
thought a smile rose to her lips.
With a courteous gesture he invited
them in, but stopping to lock one gate
before leading them through the 9th
er, Mrs. Scoville had time to observe
that since her last visit with its &C
companying inroad of the populace,
the two openings which at this point
gave access to the walk between the
fences had been closed up with boards
so rude and dingy that they must have
come from some old lumber pile in at
tic or cellar.
The judge detected her looking at
them
Il have cut off my nightly prom
enade," said he. with youth in the
house, more cheerful habits must pre-
vail. Tomorrow shall have my lawn
cut, and if l must walk after shutdown
1 will walk there
The two women exchanged glances.
Perhaps their gloomy anticipations
we're not going to be realized.
But once within the house, the Judge
showed embarrassment.
81 have few comforts to offer" said
he, opening a door at his right and
then hastily closing it again. This
part of the house is, as you see, com
pletely dismantled and not-very
clean. But you shall have carte
blanche to arrange to your liking one
of these rooms for your sitting room
and parlor. There is furniture in the
attic and you may buy freely what
ever else is necessary. l don't want
to discourage little Reuther. AS for
your bedrooms He stopped,
hemmed a little and flushed a vivid
red as he pointed up the dingy fight
of uncarpeted stairs towards which he
led them. They are above; but it is
with shame 1 admit that I have not
gone above this floor for many years.
Consequently, I dent know how it
looks up there or whether you can
even find towels and things. Have /
counted too much on your good ma
ture?"
mo; not at all. In fact, you simply
arouse all the housekeeping instincts
within me-"
The judge drew :. breath of relief
and led Reuther towards door at the
end of the hall
This is the way to the dining room
and kitchen" he explained. 81 have
been accustomed to having my meals
served in my own room, but after this
I shall join you at table. Here" he
continued, leading her up to the iron
door, is the entrance to my den. You
may knock here if you want me, but
there is a curtain beyond, which no
one lifts but myself. You understand,
nv dear, and will excuse an old mans
eccentricities?
She smiled, rejoicing only in the
caressing voice, and in the yearning,
almost fatherly, manner with which
he surveyed her.
81 quite understand" she said; "and
so will mother"
"Reuther," he now observed with
strange intermixture of gentleness and
authority, there is one thing I wish
to say to you at the very start. may
grow to love xou-God knows that a
little affection would be a welcome
change in my hfe-but / want you to
know and know now, that all the love
in the world will not change my deci-
sion as to the improperly Of a match
between you and my son Oliver. That
settled, there is no reason why all
should not be clear between US"
"AIl is clear"
Faint and far off the words sounded,
though she was standing so near he
could have laid his hand on her Shout
der Then she gave one sob as though
in saying this she heard the last clod
fall upon what would never see resur-
rection again in this life, and, lifting
her head, looked him straight in the
eye with a decision and a sweetness
which bowed his spirit and caused his
head in turn to fall upon his breast.
What a father can do for child,
will do for you" he murmured, and led
her back to her mother.
A week. and Deborah ScoviIle had
evolved a home out of chaos. That is,
within limits. She had not entered
the Judges rooms, nor even offered to
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