Marble Hill press. (Marbel [sic] Hill, Mo.) 1881-1923, 1915-07-15

10 llttie snort Oh ABSURD.
Astonished at such tranquility where
she had expected anguish II not stark
unreason. doubling her eyes. her ears
for this was no longer her deli.
cate. suffering Reuther to be shielded
from all unhappy knowledge. but a
woman as strong II not as wise to the
situation c. herself-she 5crutinized
the child closely, then turned her gaze
slowly about the room, and started In
painful surprise, as she perceived
standing in the space behind her the
tall figure OF Judge Ostrander.
Pardon" she entreated. forgetting
Reuthers presence In her conscious.
ness Of the misery she had brought
upon her benefactor. Il never meant
Il never dreamed"
"Oh, no apologies" Was this the
judge speaking? The tone was an ad-
monitory. not suffering one. 1t was
not even that Of a man Inundated or
distressed, You have had a unfor.
tunate experience. but that Is over
now and so must your distress be-"
Then. as in her astonishment she
dropped her hands and looked up, he
added very quietly, Your daughter
has been much disturbed about you,
but not at all about Oliver or his good
name. She knows my son too well,
and so do you and !. to be long af-
fected by the virulent outcries OF
mob seeking for an object upon which
TO expend their spleen"
Deborah was glad to sit silent IN.
der this open rebuke and listen to
Reuther's ingenious declarations,
though she knew that they brought no
conviction and distilled no real COM
fort either to his mind or hers.
Yes, mother, darling" the young
girl was saying. These people have
not seen Oliver in years. but We have,
and nothing they can say. nothing that
any one can say but himself, could
ever shake my belief in him as q man
incapable Of really wicked act He
might be capable Of striking a sudden
blow-most men are under great
provocation-but to conceal such
fact-to live for years enjoying the
respect Of all who knew him. with the
knowledge fostering In his heart OF an.
other having suffered for his crime
that, that would be impossible to Oil.
yer Ostrander."
Some words ring In the heart long
after their echo has left the ear. I'm.
possible, Deborah stole a look at the
judge, But he was gazing at Reuther,
where he well might gaze, II his sink,
ing heart crared support or his
abashed mind sought TO lose itself in
the enthusiasm of this pure soul. with
its loving, uncalculating instincts.
Tell the Judge who is as confden,
of Oliver as am myself that you are
confident. too, That you could no
more believe him capable OF this abom.
Unable act than you could believe It
of my father"
Il w;ll-tell-the Judge" stammered
the unhappy mother. Judge" she
briefly declared. as she rose with the
help Of her daughters arm, my mind
agrees with yours in this matter What
you think, think" And that was all
she could say.
AS she fell again into her seat, the
Judge turned to Reuther:
Leave your mother for a little |
while" he urged, with that rare gentle
ness he always showed her. Let her
rest here few minutes longer, alone |
with me-"
Yes. Reuther." murmured Deborah.
seeing no way Of avoiding this inevi.
table interview. Il am feeling bet.
ter every minute. will come soon"
The young girls eye faltered from
one to the other. then settled, with a
strange and imploring look upon her
mother Had her clear Intelligence
pierced at last to the core OF that
misery! Had she seen what
would have spared her at the
cost Of her own life? II would seem
so. for when the mother, with great
effort, began some conciliatory speech,
the young girl smiled with a certain
sad patience. and. turning toward
Judge Ostrander. said as she softly
withdrew:
you have been very kind to allow
me to mention a name and discuss q
subject you have expressly forbidden.
want to show my gratitude. Judge
Ostrander. by never referring to It
again without your permission. That
you know my mind"-here her head
rose with a sort Of lofty pride which
ent dazzling quality to her usually
luiet beauty-"and that know yours.
8 quite enough for me-"
"A noble grill a mate for the beet!"
ell from the Judges lips after a st.
ence disturbed only BY the faint, far.
~ murmur Of q slowly dispensing
hrong.
Deborah made no answer. Cha
'ouid not yet trust her COURAGE or
Ter voice.
The Judge. who was STANDING pe.,
Concentrated his look upon her fee,
ures. Madami"-he was searchinr
er eyes. searching her very soul. a. ,
hen seldom search the mind OF an.
fknr avzx. - 1