The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-09-10

meant something, and IL it ever hap
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, etfusively remarked:
Vow must have 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 insinuating 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."
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
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 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. | have brought her to Shelby
where to our own surprise and Reu-
theirs 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 it in Mrs. Scovilles 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 miracle &C.
ours. Oh, ! do not wonder you smile.
| This is not the day OF miracles But
II 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 womans attitude and
| voice were almost prayerful You
have judgment enough for two Be-
sides, the miracle has not happened, y
| she interjected, with smile which
seemed to say it never would
Deborah sighed. Whether or not
, 1t was quite an honest expression OF
| her feeling we will not inquire She
was there for a definite purpose and
her way to 1t 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 1t
| But | have not given up all hone
know as we'll 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
expression Of indulgence This reused
Deborah's pride and. hesitating no
longer. she anxiously remarked:
Il have sometimes thought that
Oliver Ostrander might be that wit
ness. He certainly was in the ravine
the night Algernou Etheridge was
struck down.
Had she been an experienced actress
OF years she could not have thrown
into this question 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 yol? He had no testimony to
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