The state herald., 1915-12-03

VIII US Ut an attaCR so SrOunQleSS II
Is little short Of absurd"
Astonished at such tranquility where
she had expected anguish II not stark
unreason, doubling her eyes, her ears
FOR this was no longer her deli
cate, suffering Reuther to be shielded
from all unhappy knowledge, but a
woman as strong If not as wise to the
situation CT herself-she scrutinized
the child closely. then turned her gaze
slowly about the room. and started In
painful surprise. as she perceived
standing in the space behird her the
tall figure OF Judge Ostrander
Pardon" she entreated. forgetting
Reuther's presence in her conscious.
ness OF the misery she had brought
upon her benefactor. Il never meant
II never dreamed"
oh, no apologies!" Was this the
Judge speaking? The tone was an ad
monitory, not suffering one. 1t was
not even that Of n man Inundated or
distressed. "You have had L unfor-
tunate experience. but that is over
now and SO must your distress be-"
Then. as in her astonishment she
dropped her hands and looked up. he
added very quietly, Your daughter
has been much disturbed about you,
but not at all about Oliver or his good
name. She knows my son too well,
and so do you and |. to be long af.
fected by the virulent outcries OF a
mob seeking for an object upon which
to expend their spleen"
Deborah was glad to sit silent un.
der this open rebuke and listen to
Reuthers ingenious declarations.
though she knew that they brought no
conviction and distilled no real com.
fort either to his mind or hers.
"Yes. mother. darling" the young
girl was saying. These people have
not seen Oliver In years, but we have,
and nothing they can say. nothing that
any one can sa- but himself, could
ever shake my belief In him as a man
incapable OF really wicked act He
might be capable of striking a sudden
blow-most men are under great
proyocation-but to conceal such a
fact-to live for years enjoying the
respect OF all who knew him, with the
knowledge fostering In his heart Of an.
other having suffered for his crime
that. that would be impossible to OH.
yer ostrander"
Some words ring in the heart long
after their echo has left the ear. I'm.
possiblel Deborah stole a look al the
Judge. But he was gazing at Reuther,
where he well might gaze. II his sink.
Ing heart crayed support or his
abashed mind sought 10 lose itself in
tho enthusiasm OF this pure soul. with
Its loving. uncalculating instincts.
Tell the Judge who is as conhden,
OF Oliver as ! am myself that you are
confident. too, That you could no
more believe him capable OF this abom.
Unable act than you could believe 1,
OF my father"
Il will-tell-the Judge" stamm.red
the unhappy mother Judge" she
briefly declared. as she rose With the
help OF her daughters arm, my mind
agrees with yours In this matter. What
you think. think" And that was all
she could say
As she fell again Into her seat, IN,
Judge turned To Reuther:
Leave your mother for n Inn.
while" he urged, with that rare gentle
ness he always showed her. Let her
rest here lew minutes longer. aIop.
with me-"
Yes. Rcuther." murmured Deborab
seeing no way of avoiding this Iney,.
table Interview. u am feeling bet.
ter every minute. viii come soon
The young girls eye faltered from
one to the other. then settled. with n
strange and imploring look upon her
mother. Had her clear int.llleenc.
pierced at last TO the core OF Tim,
mothers mlsory7 Had she seen what
Deborah would have spared her at IN.
cost Of her own lifcg II would seem
so. for when the mother. with great
effort. began some coneilia,ory speech,
the young rirl smiled With certain
sad patience. and. turning towarl
Judge osirandor. said as she softly
withdrew:
You have brcn very Kind 10 nllos
me TO mention u name and discuss y
subject you have expressly forbidden
want TO show my gratitude. Judge
os,fandcr by never referring TO IL
again ~libou, your permission That
you know my mind" here her head
rose With sort Of lofty nfid. which
lent n dazzling quality to her usually
aule, beauty and that | know yours
IL quite enough for ms"
"A noble rirll mate for The br-,i"
fell from the Judges lips after u,
lcnce disturbed only by the faint, far
on murmuf ~ a slowly dispcrripr
throng
Deborah made no answer. sh.
could not yet trust her courage or
her voice.
The Judge. Who WAS standing near
concentrated HE look upon her f-s.
furrt "Mad.t. a.. -. ..........-. |