The Dickson County herald. (Dickson, Tenn.) 1907-1979, 1915-07-30

Ia little short Of absurd
Astonished at such tranquility where
she had expected anguish u not stark
unreason, doubling her eyes. her ears
for this was no longer her dell.
cate. suffering Reuther 10 be shielded
from all unhappy knowledge. but q
woman az strong II not an wise TO tho
situation e. herseif--she 1crutlnizad
the child closely. then turned her gaze
slowly about the room. and started In
painful surprise. rs she perceived
standing In tie space behind her the
tall figure OF Judge ostrander.
Pardon" she eEtreated. forgetting
Reuther's presence In her conscious
ness OF the misery she had brought
upon her benefactor. Il meyer meant
II never dreamed"
"oh. no apologies" Was this the
Judge speakingY The tone was an ad'
monltory, not suffering one II was
not even that OF q man Inundated or
distressed You have had unfor'
tunate experience. but that Is over
now and so must your distress be, !"
Then. AZ in her establishment 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 we'll.
and so do you and l. TO be long af.
fected by the virulent outcries OF a
mob seeking for an object upon which
to expend their spleen"
Deborah was glad 10 sit silent I'm.
der this open rebuke and listen to
Reuther's ingenious declarations.
though she knew that they brought no
conviction and distilled no 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,
and nothing they can say. nothing that
any one can sa- but himself, could
ever shake my belief In him as man
incapable OF q really wicked act He
might be capable Of striking sudden
blow--most men are under great
proyocatlon-~bu 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.
other having suffered for his crime
that, that would be impossible to oil.
yer ostrander,"
Some words ring In the heart long
after their echo has left the ear. I'm
possible! Deborah stole look at the
Judge. But be was gazing at Reuther.
where he well might gaze. II his stink.
ing heart erayed support or his
abashed mind sought TO lose itself In
the enthusiasm of this pure soul, with
its loving. unealculating instincts
Tell the Judge who Is as confident
OF Oliver as | am myself that you are
confident. too That you could no
more believe him capable OF this abom.
Unable act than YOU could believe II
OF my father"
Il 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 10 Reuther
leave your mother Tor a little
while" he urged, with that rare gentle
ness be always showed her. Let her
rest here a few minutes longer. alone
with me-.
Yes. Reuther." murmured Deborah
seeing no way OF avoiding this iueyI
table interview. Il am feeling bet
ter every minute viii come soon i"
The young girls eye faltered from
one to the other. then settled. with a
strange and tmploring 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! II would seem
50. for when the mother, with great
effort. began some conciliatory speech
the young girl smiled with a certain
sad patisnce. and. turning toward
Judge Ostrander, said as she softly
withdrew:
you have been very kind TO allow
me TO mention q name and discuss q
subject you have expressly forbidden
want to show my gratitude. Judge
0strander. by never referring to II
again without your permission. That
YOU know my mind"--here her head
rose with sort Of lofty pride which
lent dazzling quality 20 her usually
quiet beauty that know yours,
~ quite enough for me"
"A noble girl, mate for the best.-
fell from the judges lips after a III.
lenee disturbed only By the faint. far.
on murmur@ot a slowly dispensing
thrcng.
Deborah made 40 answer. She
could not yet trust her COURAGE or
her voice
Tae judge, who was standing near
concentrated his look Gaon her Tea
tures Madam ''-~ha was searching
her eyes, searching her very soal, as
men seldom search the mine OF an.
ether "Sssu believe in the truth o,
these caluma'es tha: have jnst been
shouted 70 our ears You believe
what they say OF Oliver. You. with