The Idaho Springs siftings-news. (Idaho Springs, Colo.) 1905-19??, 1915-11-05
CHAPTER XVII.
Tho Curtain Lifted.

'"Ao eAS we'll Vi JuuSt oStIdnueI
house. But 1t was not late. and his
agitation had but few minutes in
which to grow. before the gate swung
wide and he felt her hand in his.
She was expecting him. There was
no necessity for preliminaries, and he
could ask at once for the Judge and
whether he was strong enough to bear
disappointment
Deborah's answer was disconcerting
I've not seen him. He admits no
body When enter the library, he re-
treats to his bedroom. l have not
even been allowed to hand him his
carry in his meals"
am afraid he never will hear
from Oliver The boy gave US the
| slip In the most remarkable manner.
will tell you when we get inside"
When she had heard him through.
she looked about the room they were
in. with lingering. distracted gaze
he hardly understood till he saw 1t
fall with an indescribable aspect OF
sorrow upon picture which had late
ly been found and rehung upon the
| wall. 1t was portrait OF divers
mother.
| 81 am disappointed" she murmured
in bitter reflection to herself II did
not expect Oliver to clear himself. but
I did expect him to face his accusers
il only for his fathers sake. What am
| to say now to the judge?"
! Nothing tonight. In the morning
we will talk the whole subject over.
l must first explain myself to An
drews, and. If possible. learn his in.
tentions; then | shall know better
what to advise"
Did the officer you met on your
return from Tempest lodge follow you
to Shelby"
| Il have not seen him"
That Is bad. He followed Oliver"
| at was to be expected"
"Oliver is in Canada?"
Undoubtedly"
| Which means"
Delay, then extradition. It's that
fellow Flanagan who has brought
this upon us. The wretch knows
something which forbids us to hope"
Alas, yes" And a silence followed
during which such entire stiffness
rested upon the house that a similar
thought rose In both minds. Could II
be that under this same roof. and only
separ ated from them by a partition
there brooded another human being
helplessly awaiting a message which
would never come. and listening. but
how vainly. for the step and voice for
which he hungered. though they were
| the nrp11dA n FIJI har sh bo
signal for coming punishment
So strong was this thought in both
their minds, that the shadow deep
ened upon both faces. as though a
presence had passed between them;
and when Mr.. Black rose as he very
soon did, 1t was with an evident dread
of leaving her alone with this thought
They were lingering yet in the hall
the good nigh faltering on their lips,
when suddenly their eyes flashed to-
gether in mutual question, and Deb.
orah bent her ear toward the street
An automobile was slowing up-
notwithstanding before the gates.
Deborah turned and looked at Mr.
Black. Then the bell rang Never
had it sounded SO shrill and penetrat.
ing. Never had it rung quite such
summons through this desolate house
Recoiling, she made a motion of en-.
treaty.
Co" she whispered Open! |
cannot"
| Quickly he obeyed. She .eard him
pass out and down the walk, and
through the first gate Then there
came silence, followed by the open
ing of the second gate. Then. sound
like smothered greetings, followed by
| quickly advancing steps and voice
| she knew:
How is my father? Is he well? |
cannot enter till know"
! 1t was Oliver!-come from some dis
tant station, or from some other line
which he had believed unmatched
Tumnltuous as her thoughts were. she
dared not indulge in them for a mo
ment, or give way to gratitude or any
other emotion. There were words to
be said-words which must be uttered
on the instant and with as much i'm.
periousness as his own.
Throwing the door wide, she called
down the steps:
Yes. he is we'll Come in, Mr.. Os-
| trander, and you. too, Mr.. Black
| Instructions have been given me by
=, the judge, which | must deliver at
once. He expects you, Oliver" she
went on, as the two men stepped in
He babe me say to you Immediately
upon your entrance that much as he
would like to be on hand to greet YOU
he cannot see you tonight. For to-
night at least, and up to certain hour
tomorrow, you are to keep your own
counsel. WI EN- certain persons whose
names he has given me can be gotten
together In this house, he will Join
you. giving you your first meeting in