Middletown transcript., 1915-04-03
CHAPTER XIII.
Ono Secret Less.

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?"
II have talked with Mr.. Black"
The judges brows met.
well, you were wise," said he.
Then, shortly, What is his attitudef"
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.
tions."
"He has told you so?"
mot 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 a 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 1t was simply
to breathe her name.
"Deborah?"
Startled, for 1t had always before
been madam" she looked up to find
him standing very near her and with
his hand held out.
II am going through deep waters" !"
said he Am l 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 l do? II
remain here will be questioned. II
l fly-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.
mo; not that ask no such sac
rifice. 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? l 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 car
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"
did you see him strike the blow
Were there any opportune shadow
to betray what happened between th'
; instant of-let us say divers ap
proach and the fall Of my friend
Much can happen in a minute, ant
this matter is one of minutes. SEQ
vile had heart open to crime, Olive
not. This l knew when / sat upol
. the bench at his trial; and now yol
shall know it, too. Come! l hav,
: something to show you"
He turned towards the door ant
), mechanically she followed. He
thoughts were all in whirl. She di
l. not know what to make Of him or o
herself. The rooted dread of week
uaa stirrinp in ita soil This suRRes
ton of the transference of the site
from hand to hand was not impossible
Only Scoville had sworn to her, an
that, too, upon their child's head, tina
he had not struck this blow. And sh
~ had believed him after finding the cap
: and she believed him now. YET
I, against her will, she believed him nov
= Why? and again, why?
CTO BE CONTINUED)