Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-06-03
CHAPTER XVII.
The Curtain Lifted.

The Curtain Lifted.
It was dark when Mr.. Black came
into Shelby, and darker still when he
rang the bell of Judge OstrandeTs
house. But it was not late, and his
agitation had but few minutes in
which to grow. before the gate swung
wide and he felt her hand in his.
She was expecting him. There was
no necessity for preliminaries, and he
could ask at once for the judge and
whether he was strong enough to bear
disappointment
Deborah's answer was disconcerting.
I've not seen him. He admits no.
body. When I enter the library, he re-
treats to his bedroom. have not
even been allowed to hand him his
letters. put them on his tray when l
carry in his meals"
q am afraid he never will hear
from Oliver. The boy gave US the
slip in the most remarkable manner. I
will tell you when we get inside"
When she had heard him through,
she looked about the room they were
in, with a lingering, distracted gaze
he hardly understood till he saw it
fall with an indescribable aspect of
sorrow upon a picture which had late
ly been found and rehung upon the
wall 1t was a portrait of divers
mother.
81 am disappointed, she murmured
in bitter reflection to herself. 81 did
not expect Oliver to clear himself, but
I did expect him to face his accusers
if only for his fathers sake. What am
I to say now to the judge?"
Nothing tonight. In the morning
we will talk the whole subject over.
I must first explain myself to An
drews, and, If possible, learn his in
tentions; then l shall know better
what to advise"
did the officer you met on your
return from Tempest lodge follow you
to Shelby?"
81 have not seen him.
THAT is bad. He followed Oliver"
at was to be expected"
OLIVER is in Canada?"
Undoubtedly"
(which means"
Delay, then extradition. It's that
fellow Flanagan who has brought
this upon us. The wretch knows
something which forbids 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 1t
be that under this same roof, and only
separated from them by a partition.
there brooded another human being
helplessly awaiting a message which
would never come, and listening, out
how vainly, for the step and voice for
which he hungered, though they were
| the prelude to further shams 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, it was with an evident dread
of leaving her alone with this thought.
They were lingering yet in the hall,
| the good night faltering 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 slowing up
| stopping stopping before the gates!
Deborah turned and looked at Mr.
Black. Then the bell rang. Never
had it sounded so shrill and penetrat-
| ing. Never had it rung quite such a
summons through this desolate house.
! RecOiling, she made a motion of en-
! treaty.
60" she whispered. open! 1
| cannot"
Quickly he obeyed. She heard him
| pass out and down the walk, and
through the first gate. Then there
came a silence, followed by the open
ing of the second gate, Then, a sound
like smothered greetings, followed by
quickly advancing steps and a voice
she knew:
How is my father? Is he well? l
cannot enter till I know"
1t was Oliver!-come from some dis
tant station, or from some other line
which he had believed unmatched
Iumultuous as her thoughts were. she
dared not indulge in them for a mo-
ment, or give way to gratitude or any
other emotion. There were words to
be said-words which must be uttered
on the instant and with as much i'm.
| peTiousneSs as his own
Throwing the door wide, she called
down the steps:
Yes, he is well. Come in, Mr.. Os
trander. and you, too. Mr.. Black
Instructions have been given me BY
! the judge, which l must deliver al
once. He expects you, Oliver" she
went on, as the two men stepped in
He babe me say to you Immediately
upon your entrance that much as he
would like to be on hand to greet you
he cannot see you tonight. For to
night at least, and up to a certain hour
tomorrow, you are to keep your OWL
counsel. When certain persons whose
names he has given me can be gotter
| together in this house, he will joir
you, giving you your first meeting II
the presence of others. Afterwards
he will see you alone. If these plans
distress you-if you find the delay