Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1915-04-14

pened that he spoke out his whole
mind, you may be sure that some very
bitter words passed"
was this meant as an innuendo?
impossible to tell. Such nervous,
Iussy little bodies often possess minds
OF unexpected subtlety. Deborah gave
up all hope Of understanding her, and,
accepting her statements at their face
Value, effusively remarked:
You must have a very superior
mind to draw such conclusions from
the little you have seen. have heard
many explanations given for the
preach you name. but never any SO
reasonable"
A flash from the spinster's wary eye,
then a burst of courage and the quick
retort:
And what explanation does Oliver
himself give? You ought to know,
Mrs. Scoville."
The attack was as sudden as it was
unexpected. Deborah flushed and
trimmed her sails for this new tack,
and insinuating gently, "Then you
have heard" waited for the enlight-
eminent these words were likely to
evoke.
1t came quickly enough.
That he expected to marry your
daughter? Oh, yes, Mrs. Scoville; It's
common talk here now. I hope you
don't mind my mentioning it."
Deborah's head went up. She faced
the other fairly, with the look born of
mother passion, and mother passion
only.
"Reuther is blameless in this mat.
| ter" she protested. "She was brought
up in ignorance of what I felt sure
would prove handicap and misery to
her. She loves Oliver as she will never
love any other man, but when she was
told her real name and understood
| fully what that name carries with it,
| she declined to saddle him with her
shame. That's her story, Miss Weeks;
one that hardly fits her appearance,
which is very delicate. And, let me
add, having once accepted her fathers
name, she refases to be known by any
nave DIOuSlLL uSl " k3ASlOJ
where to our own surprise and Reu-
theirs great happiness, we have been
| taken in by Judge Ostrander, an act of
! kindness for which we are very CRATE
full"
Miss Weeks got up, took down one
of her rarest treasures from an old
| etagere standing in one corner and
laid it in Mrs. Scoville's hand.
For your daughter" she declared.
Noble girl! hope she will be happy"
The mother was touched, but not
quite satisfied yet of the giver's real
feelings towards Oliver, and, after
thanking her warmly, remarked:
There is but one thing that will
ever make Reuther happy, and that
| she cannot have unless a miracle &C.
ours. Oh, l do not wonder you smile.
| This is not the day of miracles. But
| if my belief in my husband could be
shared; if should be enabled to clear
his name, might not love and loyalty
| be left to do the rest? Wouldn't the
| judges objections, in that case, be re-
moved? What do you think. Miss
| Weeks?"
There! we will say no more about
it." The little woman's attitude and
voice were almost prayerful. you
have Judgment enough for two Be.
sides, the miracle has not happened"
| she interjected, with smile which
| seemed to say it never would.
Deborah sighed. Whether or not
I, it was quite an honest expression of
| her feeling we will not inquire. She
was there for a definite purpose and
| her way to it was, as yet, far from
plain. The negative with which she
followed up this sigh was one of sor-
rowful acceptance. She made haste
however, to qualify 1t.
"But I have not given up all hope, |
/ know as well as any one how impos-
/ sibIe the task must prove, unless can
| light upon fresh evidence. And Where
am l to get that? Only from some
new witness.
Miss Weeks polite smile took on an
expression of indulgence. This reused
Deborah's pride, and, hesitating no
! longer. she anxiously remarked:
81 have sometimes thought that
| Oliver Ostrander might be that VIII
ness. He certainly was in the ravine
the night Algernon Etheridge was
struck down"
Had she been an experienced actress
of years she could not have thrown
into this question greater lack OF all
innuendo. Miss Weeks, already un-
der her fascination, heard the tone out
never thought to notice the quick rise
and fall of her visitors uneasy bosom,
and so unvarned, responded Win al
| due frankness:
| ~ know he was But how viii that
help you? He had no testimony 10
give in relation to this crime, or ne
| would have given it"
"That is true" The admission fell
mechanically from Deborah's ips'
she was not conscious. even OF making
it Then, as her emotion choke0 ner
into silence. she sat with piteous eyes
searching Miss Weeks face, till she
had recovered her voice. when she
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