The midland journal., 1915-03-12

l
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, effusiyely remarked:
you must 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 fash from the spinster's wary eye.
then q burst Of courage and the quick
lretort:
And what explanation does Oliver
himself give? You ought to know.
Mrs. Scoville."
The attack was as sudden as Il was
unexpected. Deborah flushed and
trimmed her sails for this new tack.
| and insinuating gently. "Then you
have heard waited for the enlight-
enment these words we're likely to
evoke.
It 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"
Deborah's 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
lup in ignorance Of what / felt sure
would prove q 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 It,
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 I 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 giyer'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 q 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; II 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
"eekst
tneIe' ws WIN say no more about
i. Inc iittie womans attitude and
s so.os we're a.most prayerrui You
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