The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-05-28

| pened that he spoke out his whole
mind, you may be sure that some very
bitter words passed"
Was this meant as an innuendo?
Impossible to tell Such nervous,
fussy little bodies often possess minds
Of unexpected subtlety. Deborah gave
up all hope Of understanding her, and,
accepting her statements at their face
value, effusivelJ remarked:
"YD1 nuJt have a very superior
mind to draw such conclusions from
the little you have seen. have heard
many explanations given for the
breach you name. but never any so
reasonable"
A flash from the spinster's wary eye.
then burst of courage and the quick
retort:
And what explanation does oliver
himself give? You ought to know,
Mrs. Scoville."
The attack was as sudden as It was
unexpected Deborah flushed and
trimmed her sails for this new tack,
and insinuatng gently, Then you
have heard" waited for the enlight-
eminent these words were likely to
evoke.
1t came quickly enough.
"That he expected to marry your
daughter? Oh, yes, Mrs. Scoville; it's
common talk here now. l hope you
don't mind my mentioning It,"
Deborahs head went up. She faced
the other fairly, with the look born Of
mother passion. and mother passion
only.
"Reuther is blameless in this mat
ter" she protested. "She was brought
up in ignorance Of what l felt sure
would prove handicap and misery to
her. She loves Oliver as she will never
love any other man, but when she was
told her real name and understood
fully what that name carries with 1t,
she declined to saddle him with her
shame. That's her story, Miss Weeks;
one that hardly fits her appearance,
which is very delicate. And, let me
add, having once accepted her fathers
name, she refuses to be known by any
other. have brought her to Shelby
where to our own surprise and Reu-
ther's great happiness, we have been
taken in by Judge Ostrander an act of
kindness for which we are very CRATE
full"
Miss Weeks got up, took down one
of her rarest treasures from an old
etagere standing in one corner and
laid 1t in Mrs. Scoville's hand.
For your daughter" she declared.
Noble girl hope she will be happy"
The mother was touched, but not
quite satisfied yet of the giver's real
feelings towards Oliver, and, after
thanking her warmly, remarked:
There is but one thing that will
ever make Reuther happy, and that
she cannot have unless a miracle oc-
ours. oh, do not wonder you smile.
This is not the day of miracles But
if my belief in my husband could be
shared; If should be enabled to clear
his name, might not love and loyalty
be left to do the rest? Wouldn't the
judges objections, in that case, be re-
moved? What do you think, Miss
Weeks?"
There! we will say no more about
it," The little woman's attitude and
voice were almost prayerful. "You
have judgment enough for two. Be
sides, the miracle has not happened. "
she interjected with a smile which
seemed to say it never would
Deborah sighed. Whether or not
it was quite an honest expression of
her feeling we will not inquire She
was there for definite purpose and
her way TO il was, as yet, far from
plain. The negative with which she
followed up this sigh was one of sor-
rowful acceptance. She made haste.
however, to qualify II.
But have not given up all hope. |
know as well as any one how impos.
sible the task must prove. unless ! can
light upon fresh evidence. And where
am | to get that? Only from some
new witness"
Miss Weeks polite smile took on an
NABiNSSiOh VI lluulbtuIt. Ills IOuStu
Deborah's pride, and, hesitating no
longer, she anxiously remarked:
Il have sometimes thought that
Oliver Ostran1er might be that wit
ness. He certainly was in the ravine
the night Algernon Etheridge was
| struck down."
Had she been an experienced actress
of years she could not have thrown
into this question a greater lack of all
| innuendo. Miss Weeks, already un.
der her fascination. heard the tone but
never thought TO rotice the quick rise
and fall of her visitors uneasy bosom
and so unwarned. responded with all
due frankness:
Il know he was. But how will that
help yoI? He had no testimony 70
give In relation to this crime. or he
would have given It,"
That is true" The admission fell
mechanically from Deborah's lips;
she was not conscious. even of making
IL. Then, as her emotion chol,e6 her
into silence. she sat with piteous eyes