The state herald., 1915-10-08

lted MIN In the prison, with MS arms
pressed tight about me and his eye
looking straight into mine as you are
looking now. that he never struck that
blow. l did not believe him then:
there were too many dark spots in my
memory Of old lies premeditated and
destructive Of my happiness; but l
believed him later. and l believe him
now"
Madam, this Is quite Improbable.
A jury of his peers condemned him as
pass sentence upon him. The inev-
table must be accepted. have said
my last word"
But not heard mine," she painted.
For me to acknowledge the inevitable
where my daughters life and happi-
ness are concerned would make me
seem coward in my own eyes. Helped
or unhelped. with the sympathy or
without the sympathy of one who !
hoped would show himself my friend.
shall proceed with the task to which
have dedicated myself. You will
forgive me. judge. You see that Johns
last declaration Of innocence goes fur
ther with me than your belief. backed
as It is by the full weight of the law"
Gazing at her as at one gone sud
denly demented. he said:
Il fail to understand you. MRS.
will call you Mrs. Averill You speak
Of a task. What task!"
The only one l have heart for
the proving that Reuther is not the
child OF a willful murderer; that an
other man did the deed for which he
suffered. can do It, feel confident
that can do II: and II you will not
help me-"
Help you! After what have said
and reiterated that he is guilty. guilty.
guilty7"
Advancing upon her with each repe-
ton OF the word. he lowered before
her. an imposing. almost formidable
figure. She faced again his anger.
which might well be righteous. and
with almost preternatural insight bold.
ly declared:
You are too vehement to quite con.
vince me. Judge ostrander. Acknowl-
edge II or not. there Is more doubt
than certainty In your mind: a doubt
which ultimately will lead you to help
me. Then my way should broaden
a way. at the end Of which see
united couple-my daughter and your
son. Oh. she Is worthy OF him." the
woman broke forth. as he made an.
other repellent and imperative ses.
ture. ask anyone in the town where
we have lived"
Abruptly and without apology for
his rudeness, Judge ostrander turned
his back. then with n quick whiri about
which brought him face to face with
her once more. he impetuousiy asked:
Madam. you were In my house this
morning. You came In through the
gate which Bella had left unlocked.
WIN you explain how you came to do
this' Did you know that he was going
down street, leaving the way open be.
hind HIM Was there coiiusion be.
tween your"
Her eyes looked clearly into his.
She felt that she had nothing to dis.
guise or conceal.
Il had urged him to do this. Judge
ostrnnder. had met him more than
once In the street when he went out
TO do your errands. and used all nv
persuasion to induce him TO give me
this one opportunity OF pleading my
cause with you. He was your devoted
servant. he showed I, In his death. but
he never got over his affection for
Oliver. had listened 10 what foIka
said. had heard that you would receive
nobody: talk to nobody. Bella was nv
only resource"
lie was serutinizing her keenly. and
for tho nrSt time undera,andinyly.
Whatever her station. past or present.
she was certainly no ordinary woman,
nor was her face without beauty, M
as I, was by passion and every ardor
OF which loving woman In capable
No man would be likely TO resist II un.
Tess his armor were thrice forged
Would he himself be able TOT He be
ran TO experience a cold fcar-a dread
which drew n black veil over the fu
tnre; biaeker veil than that which
had hitherto rested upon II.
hut his face showed nothing. us
proceeded. with n piercing intensIt,
not TO b. withntood:
J When you entered my house thl,
morning did you come directly TO m,
roomI"
}, "Yer. Bella told me Just how &c
reach IT,
And when you saw me lndlHposed-
J unable. In fact. TO rreet you-wha, did
you do thenf"
with the force and meaning of on,
who takes an oath. she brought hel
: hand. palm downward on the table be
fore her. ns uhe steadily replied
u new back into the room through
which ! had come. undecided whether
20 ny tho house or walt for what Nigh
happen 10 you did not dare 10 e,