The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1915-04-30

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, but
how vainly, for the step and voice for
which he hungered. though they were
the prelude to further shame 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 q
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
summons through this desolate house
Recoiling. she made motion of en-
treaty.
Go" she whispered. Open!
cannot"
Quickly he obeyed, She Leard him
through the first gate. Then there
came silence, followed by the open
ing Of the second gate. Then. SOUND
like smothered greetings, followed BY
quickly advancing steps and a voice
she knew:
How is my father? Is he wsllf
cannot enter till know"
1t was O1iver!-come from some dis
tant station. or from some other line
which he hsI believed unmatched
Turnultuous as her thoughts were. she
dared not indulge in them for mo
ment. or give way to gratitude or any
other emotion. There were words tc
be said-words which must be uttered
on the instant and with as much I'm
periousness 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 b!
the judge. which must deliver a
once. He expects you. Oliver" shs
went on, as the two men stepped IN
"He bade me say to you immediatei!
upon your entrance that much as h'
would like to be on hand to greet you
he cannot see you tonight. For to
night at least, and up to certain houl
tomorrow, you are to keep your owl
counsel. When certain persons Whose
names he has given me can be gotteI
together in this house. he will joir
you, giving you your first meeting ii
the presence of others. Afterward'
he will see you alone. If these plans
distress you-if you find the della!
hard, am to say that 1t is even harde
for him that it can be for you. Blu
circumstances compel him to act thus
and he expects you to understand ant
be patient"
Young Ostrander bowed.
81 have no doubt of the facts" he as
sured her. with an unsuccessful effor
to keep his trouble out OF his voice
But as my father allows me son'
explanation, l shall be very glad t.
hear what has happened here TO occa
sion my imperative recall"
Mr.. Black glanced at Deborah. VII,
was slipping away. When they founi
themselves alone together, Oliver
manner altered.
"One moment" said he. before Mr
Black could speak. u should like {,
ask you first of all, If Miss Scoville Il
better. When I left you both so sud
denly at Tempest Lodge. she was no
well. l."
"she is quite recovered, Mr.. o.
trander."
question which perhaps neither desire,
to have answered. Then Oliver re
marked quite simply:
my haste seemed warranted BY m,
fathers message. Five minutes-on'
minute even is of great importance
when you have but fifteen in which t.
catch train" ....
"And by such a route!" !
You know my route" A short laugl
escaped him. II feared delay-pos
sibly the interference-but why dis
cuss these unimportant matters! Blu
your reason for these hasty summon
that Is what / am ready now I,
hear" And he sat down. but In sucl
a way as to throw his face very mucl
into the shadow.
This was a welcome circumstanc,
to the lawyer. His task promised tt
be hard enough at the best. Blacl
night had not offered too dark scree,
between him and the man thus sudden
ly called upon to face suspicious th'
very shadow of which is enough to de
stroy life. The hardy lawyer shrunl
from uttering the words which woult
| make the gulf imaginatively openin,
between them real, If not impassabl,
one. Something about the young maj
appealed to him-something apar
from his relationship to the Judge
something inherent in himself. Per
haps it was the misery he betrayed
Perhaps it was the memory of Reu
theirs faith in him and how that faitl
must suffer when she saw him next
instantaneous reflections. but epoci
making in mind like his. Alansol
Black had never hesitated before il