The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-02-12
CHAPTER Iv-contInusd.


But she would not be denied. She
thrust II upon him and once his eyes
had fallen up II, they chung there,
though evidently against his will. All,
she knew that Reuther's exquisite
countenance would plead for itself!
God seldom grants TO such beauty 80
lovely spirit. II the features them
selves failed TO appeal. certainly he
must feel the charm OF an expression
which had already netted so many
hearts. Breathiessly she watched him,
and. as she watched, she noted the
heavy lines carved In his face by
thought and possibly by sorrow,
slowly relax and his eyes I'll with a
wistfui tenderness.
Parents must learn TO endure bit.
ternesa, ! have not been exempt my
self from such. Your child will not
die. You have years OF mutual com
partnership before you. while | have
nothing. And now let us end this In
serview, so painful to US both. You
have said"
No." she broke in with sudden
vehemence. all the more startling from
the restraint In which she had held
herself up 10 this moment, Il have
not said have not begun to say
what eeethes like consuming fire In
my breast. | spoke OF miracle--will
You not listen. Judge? am not Wild
am not unconscious OF presumption
am only In earnest. In deadly ear
nest A miracle is possible. The gull
between these two may yet be
spanned. | see a way"
What change was this TO which she
had suddenly become witnessf The
face which had not lost all its underly
lng benignancy even when 1t looked
its coolest. had now become settled
and hard His manner was absolutely
repeilent as he broke in with the quick
disclaimer
But there Is no way What mir
scle could ever make your daughter
lovely as she undoubtedly Is, fittina
match for my soni None. madam. alb
solutely none. Such an alliance would
be monstrous: unnatural"
"Why?" The word came out boldly
because her father died the death
Of a criminai?'
The answer was equally blunt
Yes; a criminal over whose trial
his father presided as judge.
Quick as flash. however. came the
retort.
"A Judge. however, who showed him
every consideration possible. was
told at the time and have been as,
sured by many since that you were
more than just to him In your rulings,
Judge Ostrander''--h had taken a
step toward the hall door; but he
paused at this utterance OF his name
answer me this one question. why
did you do this? You must have hated
him deeply--your feeling for Mr.. Eth
eridge was we'll known. Then why
such magnanimity toward the man
who stood on trial for killing him9"
Unaccustomed to be questioned,
though living in an atmosphere of con.
.inual yes and no. he stared at the
relied features OF one who so dared, as
( he found II hard to excuse such pre-
sumption. But he answered her new
,rtheless. and with decided emphasis:
Possibly because his victim was
my friend and lifelong companion. A
Judge fears his own prejudices."
Possibly; but you had another rea.
tssAa 4.I. a
Fou In your own eyes at the time and
Shich iustities you In mine now and
ilways. Am not right? This Is no
courtroom; the case is one of the past /;
i can never be reopened; the pris.
lner is dead. Answer me. then, as one
sorrowing mortal replies to another
hadn't you another reason?"
The Judge. panopiied though he was
DR. thought he was. against all conceiv
able attack. WINGED at this repetition
Of question he had hoped to ignore
and in his anxiety to hide this involun
tary betrayal OF weakness allowed his
anger to have full vent. as he cried ou
in no measured terms
What is the meaning of all this
What are you after? Why are yol
raking up these bygones, which onl.
make the present condition of affairs
darker and more hopeless? Olive
Ostrander, under no circumstance
and by means of no sophistries, cal
ever marry the daughter of John Sec
vile. should think you would Sc
that for yourself"
But If John should be proved t
have suffered wrongfully? If he shout
be shown to have been innocent?"
His rebuke was quick. instant. Wit
. force and earnestness which recalle
The courtroom he replied: