Williams news., 1915-07-15

| Ao AiSIAO oAOl Ol dUouIu.
 Astonished at such tranquility where she had expected anguish if not stark unreason, doubting her eyes, her ears for this was no longer her deli cate, suffering Reuther to be shielded from all unhappy knowledge. but a woman as strong if not as wise to the situation e herself-she scrutinized the child closely, then turned her gaze slowly about the room, and started in painful surprise, as she perceived standing in the space behind her the tall figure of Judge Ostrander.
 Pardon" she entreated, forgetting Reuther's presence in her conscious ness of the misery she had brought upon her benefactor. q never meant Il never dreamed-"
 "Oh, no apologiesi" Was this the judge speaking? The tone was an ad- monitory, not a suffering one. It was not even that of a man humiliated or distressed. You have had a unfor- tunate experience, but that is over now and so must your distress be" Then, as in her astonishment she dropped her hands and looked up, he added very quietly, Your daughter has been much disturbed about you, but not at all about Oliver or his good name. She knows my son too well, and so do you and I. to be long af- fected by the virulent outcries of mob seeking for an object upon which to expend their spleen"
 Deborah was glad to sit silent un- der this open rebuke and listen to Reuther's ingenious declarations, though she knew that they brought no conviction and distilled nc real com fort either to his mind or hers.
 Yes, mother, darling" the young girl was saying. These people have not seen Oliver in years, but we have, l and nothing they can say, nothing that any one can say but himself, could ever shake my belief in him as a man incapable of a really wicked act. He might be capable of striking sudden bloW-mQst men are under great provocation-but to conceal such fact-to live for years enjoying the respect of all who knew him, with the knowledge fostering in his heart of an- OehSA hoFih6 oo1Oi Oo AOI HIS that, that would be impossible to Oli- yer Ostrander."
 Some words ring in the heart long after their echo has left the ear. Inn possible! Deborah stole a look at the judge. But he was gazing at Reuther, where he well might gaze, if his sink ing heart craved support or his abashed mind sought to lose itself in the enthusiasm of this pure soul, with it's loving, uncalculating instincts.
 'Tell the judge who is as confident of Oliver as am myself that you are confident, toQ. That you could no more believe him capable of this abom- inable act than you could believe it of my father"
 T will-tell-the judge," stammered the unhappy mother. Judge" she briefly declared. as she rose with the help of her daughters arm, my mind agrees with yours in this matter. What you think, think" And that was all she could say.
 As she fell again into her seat, the judge turned to Reuther:
 Leave your mother for a little while," he urged. with that rare gentle ness he always showed her. Let her rest here few minutes longer. alone with me-"
 Yes. Reuther," murmured Deborah. seeing no way of avoiding this inevi. table interview. q am feeling bet ter every minute. I will come soon
 The young girls eye faltered from one to the other, then settled. with a strange and imploring look upon her mother. Had her clear intelligence pierced at last to the core of that mothers misery? Had she seen what Deborah would have spared her at the cost of her own life? It would seem so. for when the mother, with great effort, began some conciliatory speech. the young girl smiled with a certain sad patience. and, turning toward Judge Ostrander. said as she softly withdrew:
 You have been very kind to allow me to mention a name and discuss a subject you have expressly forbidden l want to show my gratitude, Judge Ostrander, by never referring to it again without your permission That you know my mind"-here her head rose with sort of lofty pride which lent dazzling quality to her usually quiet beauty--"and that I know yours. is quite enough for me-
 "A noble girl! mate for the best!" fell from the judges lips after a si- ience disturbed only by the faint, far or murmur of slowly dispersing throng.
 Deborah made no answer. She could not yet trust her courage or her voice.
 The judge, who was standing near, concentrated his look upon her fea- tures "Madam!"-he was searching her eyes, searching her very soul, as men seldom search the mind of an- other, You believe in the truth of these calumnies that have just been