The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-03-26
CHAPTER x-continued.


She had rather have died. nay, have
aad Reuther die. than 10 find herself
Drced to weigh and decide so mo-
sient0us question
For, however she might feel about
4, not single Illusion remained as to
shose hand had made use OF John
scosiiie's stick to strike down Alger.
aon Etheridge How could she have
xhen she came 10 piece the whole
story together. and weigh the facts
sle had accumulated against oliver
9Th those which had proved so fatal
10 her husband2
Deborah shuddered Aye. the mys-
terry had cleared. but only to en-.
shrond her spirits anew and make her
ong with all her, bursting heart and
shaddering soul that death had been
aer portion before ever she had es-
sayed TO lift the veil held down so
ssghtiy by these two remorseful men
But was her fault irremediable?
Tho only unanswerable connection be.
tween this old crime and Oliver lay In
abe evidence she had herself collected
As she had every intention of sup
pressing this evidence, and assshe had
ssnalI dread OF any one else digging
cut the facts 10 which she only pos
sessed clue. might she not hope that
any suspicious raised by her inquiries
would fan like a house OF cards when
she withdrew her hand from the top
siing structure?
She would make her FIRST effort and
zee. AIR Black had heard her com.
plaial; he should be the first to learn
chat the encouragement she had re.
seise was so small that she had de-
sided to accept her present good luck
sithOut further query. and not bark
back 10 a past which most people had
Aared
You began IL. as women begin most
ihtRgs. without thought and due
weighing OF consequences And now
ton propose to drop II In the same
freakish manner Isn't that It?"
Deborah Scoville lifted her eyes In
precatingly upon her interrogation.
Mr. Black smiled The woman de
hghted him The admiration which
he had hitherto felt for her person
and for the character which could so
aevelop through misery and reproach
as 10 make her in twelve short years
the exponent OF all that was most at.
sractive and bewitehing In woman
seemed likely to extend to her mind
7 am reconciled simply from neces.
atty was her gentle response. Moth
ing Is more precious to me than
keuthers happiness ] should but en-.
sanger It further by raising false
sopes. That is why have come to
cry halt"
Madam. ! commend your decision.
tut Why should you characterize
gour hopes as false. just when there
seems to ba some justification for
ahemf"
Her eyes widened. and she regarded
him with stimulation OF surprise,
which interested without imposing
upon him,
I do not understand you" said she.
Have you come upon some clue
uave you heard something which |
save not?"
Mr. Black took two or three crushed
and folded papers from drawer be.
side him AID, holding them, none too
plainly In sight. remarked very quietly.
but with legal firmness:
DO not let us play about the bush
any longer. You have announced your
intention OF making no further attempt
10 discover the man who In your eyes
merited the doom accorded to John
Scoyille Yodi only reason for this
IL you are the woman | think ycu-
lies In your fear of giving further op
pol unity to the misguided rancor of
All irresponsible writer of anonymous
epistles Am ! not right, madam"
Reaten. beaten by. a direct assault.
because she possessed the Weaknesses.
as well as the pluck, of woman. She
could control the language of her lips,
bnt not their quivering; she could
iseet his eye with steady assurance,
but she could not keep the pallor from
her cheeks or subdue the evidences of
her hearts turmoil Her pitiful glance