The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-07-09
CHAPTER XIII.
One Secret Less.

|
Suddenly he faced Deborah again.
The crisis of feeling had passed, and
| he looked almost cold.
You have had advisers" said he.
WHO are they?"
i have talked with Mr.. Black"
The judges brows met.
We'll, you we're WISE" said he.
Then, shortly, What is his attitude?"
Feeling that her position was fast
becoming intolerable, she falteringly
replied, Friendly to you and Oliver,
but even without all the reasons
which move me, sharing my convic-
| TONS"
He has told you 500"
Not directly; but there was no mis-.
Judging his opinion Of the necessity
you were under to explain the mystic
ries of your life. And it was yester-
day we talked; not today"
Like words thrown into void,
these slow. lingering, half-uttered
phrases seemed to awaken an echo
which rung not only in his inmost be-
ing, but In hers. Not till in both ma
lures silence had settled again (the
silence of despair. not peace), did he
speak. When he did it was simply
to breathe her name.
Deborah"
Startled, for it had always before
been madam" she looked up to find
him standing very near her and with
his hand held out.
Il am going through deep waters"
said he. Am to have your sup
port?"
"Oh, Judge Ostrander. how can you
doubt it?" she cried. dropping her
hand into his. and her eyes swimming
with tears. But what can | do? II
remain here will be questioned. II
| tly-but, possibly, that is what you
Want-for me to gO-to disappear-to
take Reuther and sink out of all mems
sight forever. If this is your wish,
am ready to do it. Gladly will we
be gone-now-at once-this very
night.
His disclaimer was peremptory.
No; not that | ask no such sac
rifce. Neither would it avail There
Is but one thing which can reinstate
Oliver and myself in the confidence
and regard OF these people, Cannot
you guess it, madam? mean your
own restored conviction that the sen.
tence passed upon John Scoville was
just one. Once satisfied of this,
your temperament Is such that you
would be our advocate whether you
wished it or no. Your very silence
would be eloquent"
Convince me; am willing to have
you, Judge Ostrander But how can
you do so? A shadow stands between
my wishes and the belief you mention.
The shadow cast by Oliver as he made
his way towards the bridge. with my
husbands bludgeon in his hand"
Ibid you see him strike the blow?
Were there any opportune shadows
to betray what happened between the
instant of-let us say divers ap
preach and the fall of my friend?
Much can happen in a minute, and
this matter is one of minutes. SEQ
vile had heart open to crime, Oliver
not. This knew when sat upon
the bench at his trial; and now you
shall know 1t, too Come! have
something to show you"
He turned towards the door and
mechanically she followed. Her
thoughts were all in a whirl. She did
not know what to make Of him or of
herself. The rooted dread of weeks
was stirring in its SOIL This sugges,
ton of the transference of the stick
from hand to hand was not impossible
Only Scoyille had sworn to her, and
that, too, upon their child's head. that
he had not struck this blow. And she
had believed him after finding the cap;
and she believed him now. Yes,
against her will, she believed him now,
Why? and again, why?