Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1915-06-09
CHAPTER XVII.
The Curtain Lifted.

ne Curtain Lifted.
IL was dark when Mr.. Black came
into Shelby, and darker still when he
rang the bell of Judge Ostrander's
mouse. But it was not late, and his
agitation had but few minutes in
which to grow, before the gate swung
wide and he felt her hand in his.
She was expecting him. There was
no necessity for preliminaries, and he
could ask at once for the judge and
whether he was strong enough to bear
disappointment
Deoorah's answer was disconcerting.
I've not seen him. He admits no.
body. When l enter the library, he re-
treats to his bedroom. I have not
even been allowed to hand him his
letters. put them on his tray when /
carry in his meals"
Il am afraid he never will hear
from Oliver. The boy gave us the
slip in the most remarkable manner.
will tell you when we get inside"
When she had heard him through,
she looked about the room they were
in. with a lingering, distracted gaze
he hardly understood till he saw it
fall with an indescribable aspect of
sorrow upon picture which had late
ly been found and rehung upon the
wall. 1t was a portrait of divers
mother.
Il am disappointed" she murmured
! in bitter reflection to herself. 81 did
not expect Oliver to clear himself, but
did expect him to face his accusers
if only for his fathers sake What am
to say now to the judge?"
| Nothing tonight. In the morning
we will talk the whole subject over.
l must first explain myself to An
drews, and, if possible, learn his In
tentions; then | shall know better
what to advise"
did the officer you met on your
to Shelby?"
81 have not seen him."
THAT is bad He followed Oliver"
ct was to be expected"
"Oliver is in Canada?"
Undoubtedly"
(which means"
'Delay, then extradition. It's that
fellow Flanagan who has brought
| this upon u.s. The wretch knows
something which forbids us to hope"
ALAS, yes" And silence followed,
during which such entire stiffness
rested upon the house that similar
thought rose in both minds. Could 1t
be that under this same roof, and only
| separated from them by a partition,
there brooded another human being
! helplessly awaiting a message which
would never come, and listening, but
how vainly, for the step and voice for
/ which he hungered. though they we're
the prelude to further shame and the
signal for coming punishment.
So strong was this thought in both
their minds, that the shadow deep
ened upon both faces, as though a
presence had passed between them;
and when Mr.. Black rose, as he very
soon did, it was with an evident dread
of leaving her alone with this thought.
They were lingering yet in the hall,
the good nighF faltering on tn IL ba
when suddenly their eyes fas a To-
gether in mutual question, a 98b
orah bent her ear toward the et
An automobile was slowi, ug--
stopping-stopping before tn gatss!
Deborah turned and looked at Mr.
Black. Then the bell rang Never
had it sounded so shrill and panegr
ing. Never had it rung quit agce
summons through this desola C
Recoiling. she made motion Of q
treaty
CO." she whispered. "0oar
cannot"
Quickly he obeyed. She Heard him
pass out and down the walk, and
through the first gate. Then there
came silence, followed by the open
ing of the second gate Then, a sound
like smothered greetings, followed by
quickly advancing steps and voice
she knew:
How is my father? Is he wel2
cannot enter till | know"
1t was Oliver!-come from some dis
, tant station. or from some other line
which he had believed unmatched.
Tumultuous as her thoughts were. she
dared not indulge in them for mo
ment, or give way to gratitude or any
!. other emotion. There were words to
,, be said-words which must be uttered
on the instant and with as mucn Inn
periousness as his own.
Throwing the door wide, she called
' down the steps:
Eyes. he is well. Come in. Mr.. Os-
. trander, and you, too, Mr.. Black.
i instructions have been given me by
, the Judge, which | must deliver at
once. He expects you, Oliver she
went on, as the two men stepped IN.
! "He babe me say to you Immediately
j upon your entrance that much as ne
I would like to be on baud to greet you
he cannot see you tonight. For to-
. night at least, and up to a certain nour