The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-05-14

raklng up these, bygones, which only
make the present condition of affairs
uarKer and more hopeless? Oliver
OStfander, under no circumstances
ana by means Of no sophiStr1es, can
ever marry the daughter of John SEQ.
vile. | should think you would see
that for yourself"
But If John should be proved to
nave suffered wrongfully? If he should
De shown to have been innocent?"
HIS rebuke was quick, instant With
force and earnestness which recalled
the courtroom he replied;
Madam, your hopes and wishes
nave misled you. Your husband was
guilty man; as guilty a man as any
Judge ever passed sentence upon"
But he swore the day last Wis.
lied him 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 nv
memory Of old lies premeditated and
destructive of my happiness; but I
oeileVed 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. 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
hoped would show himself my friend,
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 taskP"
1.-THE only one ] have q heart for
the proving that Reuther Is not the
child Of willful murderer; that an
other man did the deed for which he
suffered. | can do 1t. | feel confident
that l 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-
ton 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 preternaturaI insight bold.
ly declared:
You are too vehement to quite con.
vince me, Judge Ostrander. Acknowl-
edge it or not, there Is more doubt
than certainty in your mind; doubt
which ultimately will lead you to help
me. Then my way should broaden
a way, at the end of which | see a
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
MS rudeness, Judge Ostrander turned
his back, then with quick whirl about
which brought him face to face with
Ter once more, he impetuously asked:
Madam, you were in my house this
morning. You came In through the
rate which Bella had left unlocked.
VIII you explain how you came to do
his? Did you know that he was going
Town street, leaving the way open be-
lind him? Was there collision be-
ween your"
Her eyes looked clearly into his.
'he felt that she had nothing to dis
,uise or conceal.
Il had urged him to do this, Judge j
lstrander. | had met him more than
nee in the street when he went out
0 do your errands, and used all my
ersuasion to induce him to give me
his one opportunity Of pleading my I
ause With you. He was your devoted |
ervant, he showed it In his death, but {
Q never got over his affection for
Diver. had listened to what folks !
aid. had heard that you would receive i
obody; talk to nobody. Bella was nv {
My resource" :
ne was scrutinizing her keenly, and
or the first time UNDERSTANDINGS
Whatever her station, past or present ?
ne was certainly no ordinary woman !
moves any impurities In the metal. a
Ia