The state herald., 1915-12-17

the quick shudder with which she lift.
ed her trembling hand away from
those papers and looked up. squarely
at last, into his transfigured visage.
"Mrs. Scovi:le. love my boy. l.
what's that?"
The front doorbell was ringing.
In a flash Deborah was out Of the
room.
When the Judge at last came forth.
1t was at Reuthor's bidding. gentle
man wished to see him In the parlor.
With dark glance. not directed
against her, however. the Judge bade
her run away to the kitchen and as far
from all these troubles as she could.
then, locking his door behind him. as
he always did. he strobe towards the
front
He found Deborah standing guard
over an ill-conditioned fellow. whose
slouching figure slouched still more
under his eye. but gave no other ac-
acknowledgement Of his presence. Pass
ing him without second look. Judge
Ostrander found Mr.. Black awaiting
him.
There was no bad blood between
these two, whatever their past rela.
tions or present suspicious. and they
we're soon shaking hands with every
appearance Of mutual cordiality.
| The Judge was especially courteous.
Il am glad" said he. "of any occa-
sion which brings you again under my
roof. though from the appearance Of
your companion l Judge the present
one to be of no very agreeable charac-
ter"
Judge. I'm your friend" thus MT.
Black began. Thinking you must wish
to know who started the riotous pro-
cedure which disgraced our town to-
day. have brought the ringleader
here to answer for himself-that is. II
you wish to question him"
Judge Ostrander wheeled about,
gave the man a searching look. and
falling to recognize him as any one
he had ever seen before. beckoned him
In.
Il suppose" said he. when the loung.
Ing and insolent figure was fairly be-
fore their eyes. that this is not the
first time you have been asked to ex.
plain your enmity to my long-absent
son."
Nav; I've had my talk wherever
and whenever took the notion. Oliver
Ostrander hit me once. | was lest q
| little chan than md rnnapin' M harm
to any one. ! kept apesterin' OF I'm
and he hit me. He'd a better have hit
feller who hadn't my memory. I've
never forgiven that hit, and never
will. That's why I'm hittin' him now
It's Just my turn: that's all"
Your turn Your turn! And wha,
, do you think has given you an oppor
tunity to turn on him?"
I'm not IN the talkin' mood Jus,
now" the fellow drawled, frankly inso
lent, not only in his tone but In hi
bearing TO all present Nor can you
make II worth my while. gents, III
, not take money. I'm an honest. hard
workin' man who can earn his own
, livin. and you can't pay me to keeI
still. OF to 30 away from Shelby day
sooner than ] want to. ! was goin
away. but gave II up when they told
, me that things were b, ginnin' TO looA
black against ol Ostrander-that a
woman had come into town who was
a-stirrin' up things generally about
that old murder for which feller had
already been lectrocuted. and KNOWN
somethin' myself about that murder
and ol ostrander. well. I stayed.
The quiet threat, the suggested pos
sibillty. the attack which wraps Itseii
In vague uncertainty. are ever III,
most effective As his raucous voice
dry with sinister purpose which nc
man could shake. died out in an often
sive drnwl. MIR. Black edged stet
nearer the Judge. before he sprang and
caught the oung fellow by the cont
collar and gave him a very vigorous
: shake.
See herel" he threatened Re
have yourself and treat the Judge like
gentleman or"
But the Judge was not ready for
this. The Judge had gained a new
lease OF life In the last halfhour and
he felt no fear OF this sullen bill. l.poster
Tor nil his sly iDnuendoes lie. Their.
fore. hindered the lawyer from his
purpose. by quick gesture of so much
dignity and resolve that even the lou,
himself was impressed and dropped
some OF his sulien bravado
y have something to say to this fel.
low" he announced Perhaps he
does not know his folly Perhaps he
thinks because ! was thrown nback
today by those public charges against
my son and string OF insults for
which no father could be prepared.
that ! am seriously disturbed over the
position into which such unthinkins
men nS himself have pushed Mr. OH.
yer ostrnnder ! might be n there
wero truth In these charges or any 20.
rioua reason for connecting my nm.