Marble Hill press. (Marbel [sic] Hill, Mo.) 1881-1923, 1915-08-19
CHAPTER XVII.
The Curtain Lifted.


house. 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.
Deborah's answer was d!sconcertIng.
I've not seen him. He admits no
body. When | enter the library. he re-
treats to his bedroom. 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 |
VIII tell you when we get inside"
When she had heard him through,
she looked about the room they we're
in. with a lingering, distracted gaze
he hardly understood till he saw 1t
fall with an indescribable aspect OF
sorrow upon picture which had late
" been found and rehung upon the
wall. 1t was a portrait Of divers
mother.
Il am disappointed" she murmured
In bitter reelection to herself. Il did
not expect Oliver 10 clear himself. but
did expect him to face his accusers
II 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.
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
return from Tempest lodge follow you
to shelby
81 have not seen him"
That Is bad. He followed Oliver"
1T was to be expected"
oliver is In Canada?"
Undoubtedly"
Which means
Delay, then extradltion. It's that |
fellow Flanagan who has brough,
this upon US. The wretch knows
something which torhis US to hope" .
Alas, yes" And silence followed.
during which such entire stiffness
rested upon the house that a similar
thought rose IN both minds, Could II
be that under this same Roof. and only
separated from them by partition.
there brooded another human being
heiplessly awaiting a message which
would never come, and listening. but
how vainly. for the step and voice for
which he hungered, though they were
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 nigh faltering on their lips,
when suddenly their eyes flashed 10.
sether IN mutual question. and Deb
orah bent her ear toward the street
An automobile was slowing up
stopping before the gates!
Deborah turned and looked at Mr..
Black. Then the bell rang. Never
had 1t sounded so shrill and penetrat.
ng. Never had II rung quite such
summons through this desolate house
Recoiling, she made a motion Of en-.
reaty.
Go" she whispered. Open! l
,annot"
Quickly he obeyed She -eard him
pass out and down the walk. and
through the first gate. Then there
anne silence. followed by the open.
ng OF the second gate. Then. a sound
Ike smothered greetings, followed by
quickly advancing steps and a voice
he knew:
How is my father Is he well!
annot enter til know"
II was Oliver!-come from some dis
ant station, or from some other line =.
witch he had believed unmatched.
Tumultuous as her thoughts were, she
Jared not indulge in them for a mo-
nent. or give way to gratitude or any =.
'ther emotion. There were words to
'e said-words which must be uttered
IN the instant and with as much I'm
seriousness as his own
Throwing the door wide. she called
own the steps:
Yes. be is well Come in, Mr.. o. :
rander, and you. too. Mr.. Black. :
have been given me BY
he Judge. which I must deliver at
nee. He expects you. Oliver" she \
Tent on. as the two men stepped In. '
He babe me say to you Immediately
pom your entrance that much as be r
Fould like TO be on hand to greet you, 4
70 cannot see you tonight For to- C
light at least. and up to a certain hour r
you ere to keep your own c
ounsel When certain persons whose '
ames he has given me can be gotten q
ogether In this house. be will jotn q
IN. giving ysu your FIRST meeting In q
be presence Of othera Afterwards '
e viii see you alone n these plans 4
isrsss yaa-if yeu nnd ths asaar /