The midland journal., 1915-02-19

ing the tavern and all its effects, 1
found something which changed my
mind in this regard, and made me
confident that l had done my hus-
band great injustice"
You found? What do you mean
by that? What could you have
fOund?"
His peaked cap lying in a corner
of the garret. He had not worn 1t
that day; for when he came back to
be hustled on again by the crowd
he was without hat of any kind. and
he never returned again to his home
you know that, judge. / had seen the
shadow of some other man approach
ing Dark Hollow. Whose, l am in
this town now to find OUT
Judge Ostrander was man of
keen perception, quick to grasp an
idea, quick to form an opinion. But
his mind acted slowly tonight. Debo-
rah Scoville wondered at the blank
ness of his gaze and the slow way
in which he seemed to take in this
astounding fact.
At last he found voice and with it
gave some evidence of his usual acu-
men.
Madam, shadow is an uncertain
foundation on which to build such an
edifice as you plan. A dozen men
might have come down that path with
or without sticks before Mr.. Etheridge
reached the bridge and fell a victim
to the assault which laid him low"
Il thought the time was pretty
clearly settled by the hour he left
your house. The sun had not set
when he turned your corner on his
way home. So several people said
who saw him. Besides"
"Yes; there is a besides I'm sure
Of It,"
Il saw the tall figure of man,
whom afterwards made sure was
Mr.. Etheridge, coming down Factory
road on his way to the bridge when
/ turned about to get Reuther."
"All of which you suppressed at the
trial."
Il was not questioned on this point.
sir"
"Madam"-he was standing very
near to her now, hemming her as it
were into that decaying corner-.T
should have very much higher opin-
ion of your candor If you told me the
whole story"
Il have, sir"
His hands rose, one to the right
hand wall, the other to the left, and
remained there with their palms rest
ing heavily against the rotting plas-
ter. She was more than ever hemmed
in; but, though she felt trifle fright
ened at his aspect, which certainly
was not usual, she faced him without
shrinking and in very evident surprise.
1T seems too slight fact to men,
tion. and, indeed. had forgotten it till
you pressed me. but after we had
passed the gates and were well out
on the highway. found that Reuther
had left her little pail behind her
here, and we came back and got it.
Did you mean that, sir?"
81 meant nothing; but felt sure
you had not told all you could about
that fatal ten minutes. You came
back. 1t is quite walk from the road
The man whose shadow you saw must
have reached the bridge by this time.
What did you see then or-hear?"
Nothing. Absolutely nothing, Judge.
was intent on finding the baby's pail,
and having found it l hurried back
home all the faster"
And tragedy was going on or was
just completed, in plain sight from
this gap!"
Il have no doubt, sir; and if / had
looked. possibly John might have been
saved"
The silence following this was
broken by a crash and little cry.
Peggy's house had tumbled down.
The small incident was relief.
Both assumed more natural postures.
$50 the shadow is your great and
only point" remarked the Judge.
Il shall not desist. Judge Ostran.
der"
-You are going to pursue this jack
o'-lantern?"
Il am determined to. If you deny
me aid and advice shall seek another
counselor. Johns name must be vim.
dicated."
He gave her a look, turned and
glanced down at the child piling stone
on stone and whimpering Just little
when they fell.
Watch that baby for while," he
remarked. land you viii learn the les
son of most human endeavor. Madam.
I have proposition to make you. You
cannot wish to remain at the inn, nor
can you be long happy separated
from your daughter. have lost Bella.
! do not know how, nor would / be
willing, to replace him by another
servant. l need housekeeper; some
one devoted to my interests and who
will not ask me to change my habits
too materially. Will you accept the
position. II ! add as an inducement