The Dickson County herald. (Dickson, Tenn.) 1907-1979, 1915-09-03
CHAPTER xviI.
The Curtain Lifted.

The Curtain Lifted.
II was dark when Mr.. Black came
into Shelby. aud darker still when he
| rang the bell Of Judge ostrander's
house, But Il was not late, and his
/ agitation had but few minutes In
which TO grow. before the gate swung
glide and he felt her hand Ia bis
She was expecting him. There was
no necessity for prslimlnaries, and he
could ask at once for the Judge and
whether be was strong enough to bear
/ disappointment
| Deborahs answer was disconcerting
I've not seen him He admits no
body When enter the library. he re-
treats to his bedroom, ! have not
even been allowed 10 hand him his
letters iput them on his tray when
carry In hts meals"
i 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. q lingering. ahstraeted. saze
he hardly understood I'LL be saw Il
fall with an lndescribable aspect OF
sorrsw upon a picture which had late
ly been found apd rehung upon the
wall II was portrait Of divers
mother
Il am disappointed. she murmured
in bitter reflection to herself Il did
not expect Oliver 10 clear himself. but
| did expect him 10 face dis accusers
II only for his fathers sake What ain
| 10 say now to the judge"
Nothing tonight In the morning
We viii talk the whole subject over.
must first explain myself 10 An.
drews. and, II possible, learn his In
tentions. then ! shall know better
what 10 advise
Did the officer you met on your
return from Tempest lodge follow you
to Shelby"
I have not seen hiM.
THAT 10 bad He followed Oliver"
1T was 10 be expected"
oliver Ia In CANADA"
Undoubtedly"
Which means"
Delay. then extradltion. It's that
fellow Flanagan who has brought
this upon us The wretch knows
something which iorbids US to hope, :"
Alas yes" And a 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 root, and only
separated from them BY partition.
there brooded another human being
helplessy awaiting a message which
would never come. and listening, but
how yalnly, for the step aud voice for
which he huuEered. though they were
the prelude 10 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, Il was with an evident dread
Of leaving her alone with this thought.
They were lingering yet In the hall
the good nigh altering ON their lips.
when suddenly their eyes flashed TO
gether in mutual question, and Deb
orah bent her ear toward the street.
An automobile was slowinv up
stopping stopping before the gates,
Deborah turned aud looked a; Mr.
Black Then the bell rang, Never
hat II sounded sc shrill and penetrat
ing Never hal IT rung quite such
summons through this desola,e house
Recoiling she made a motion OF en-
treaty
Co" she whispered. Open! |
eanhot"
Quickly hs obe-ed She card him
pass ont and down the walk. and
through the nr1 gate Then there
came silence followed by the open
ins OF the second gate Then. sound
Ike smothered greetings, followed by
quickly advancing steps and a voice
she knew
How ia my father. 10 he wen. I
cannot enter till know"
II was oliyer.--come from some dis
tant station, or from some other line
watch he had believed unmatched
Iumultuous as her thoughts were, she
dared not indulge In them for a mo.
ment. or give way 10 gratitude or any
other emotion There were words to
be said--sords which must be Uttered
on the instant and With as much i'm.
per.oGsness as HIS own
Throwing the door Wide, she called
down he steps
Yes He Is well Gene in. Mr. o.
traa3er AKA yoA too, Mr. Black.
Instructions have been given me BY
The iclee. vh!ch Mus; deNrer at
crSe He rSrccts you. Oliver she
Went on a. the two men stepped In
Tie hade inc say to YOU immediateiT
rron yoUr entrance tha; much as be
would like to be on hand To greet you,
he Cannot see you tonight For to
nigh, a, least, and ap 10 a certain hour
tomorrow, you are 10 keep your own
counsel When certain persons whose
names he has given me can be gotten
together In this house, he will 10Th