The state herald., 1915-10-08
CHAPTER Iv-continued.

S''NF IN tN"Soph''eSSs
But she would not be denied. She
thrust It upon him and once his eyes
had fallen up It, they clung there,
though evidently against his will Ah.
she knew that Reuther's exquisite
countenance would plead for itself!
God seldom grants to such beauty so
lovely spirit. II the features them.
selves failed to appeal. certainly he
must fec, the charm of an expression
which had already netted so many
hearts. Breathlessly she watched him.
and. as she watched. she noted the
heavy lines carved In his face by
thought rud possibly by sorrow,
slowly relsx and his eyes fill with a
wistful tenierness.
Parents must learn to endure Bit
terness. have not been exempt my
self from such. Your child will not
die. You have years OF mutual COM
panionship before you. while | have
nothing. And now let us end this In
terview. So painful to US both. You
have said--"
NO" she broke in with sudden
yehemence, all the more startling from
the restraint in which she had held
herself up to this moment, Il have
not said--l have not begun to say
what seethes like a consuming FIRE In
my breast. spoke of a miracle-will
you not listen. judgef am not wild:
am not unconscious of presumption.
! am oaly In earnest. in deadly ear.
nest a miracle is possible. The gulf
between these two may yet be
spannsd. see a way"
! What change was this to which she
had suddenly become witness7 The
face which had not lost all its underly.
ing benignancy even when II looked
Its coldest. had now become settled
and hard. His manner was absolutely
repellent as ne broke in with the quick
disclaimer:
But there 10 no way. What mir.
kcle could ever make your daughter,
lovely Us she undoubtedly Is. q hitting
match for my son! None. madam. alb
solutely none. Such an alliance would
be monstrous: unnatural"
"whyT The word came out toldly.
Because her father died the death
OF eriminal'"
The answer was equally blunt
Yes: . criminal over whose trial
hk father presided as Judge"
Quick as 4 nash, however. came the
retort
A judge. however. who showed him
every consideration possible. was
told NJ the time and | have been as.
sured by many since that you were
more than Just to him In your rulings.
Judge ostrAnder''-he had taken a
step toward the hall door: but he
paused at this utterance OF his name
answer me this one question. Why
aid you do this' You must have hated
him deeply-your feeling for Mr. Eth.
rridEe was well known. Then WHY
such magnanimity toward the man
who stood on trial for killing him."
unaceustomed TO be questioned,
though living in an atmosphere OF con.
tinual yes and no. he stared 1t the
veiled features OF one who so dared, AZ
n he found II hard TO excuse such pre-.
sumption. But he answered her new.
ertheiess. and with decided emphasis :
Possibly because his victim was
my friend and lifelong companion, A
Judge fears his own preiudicca."
Possibly. but you had another rea
son. Judge. a reason which justified
you In your own eyes at the time and
which jus,iheh you In mine now and
always. Am ! not right This Ia nc
courtroom: the case IN one OF the pas,
!, can never b. rcopcned: the pris
oncr IL dead. Answer me. then. as one
sorrowing mortal replies TO another
hadn't you another rcaaony"
Tho judge. panoplied though he wa,
or thought he wAa, against all concciv
able attack. WINGED At this repetition
Of n question he had hoped To ignore
and In his anxiety 20 hide this involun
tafy betrayal of weakness allowed hi
anger To have full vent. as he cried ou
In no measured terms;
what 10 tho meaning OF all this
what are you Aftcr1 Why ar. 20,
takinE up theHo hysoner. which oni,
make the present condition Of affair
darker ana more hopolers1 olive
ostfander. Under no circumstances
hnd by means Of no aophiHlries. cal
ever marry the daughter OF John SEQ
vile, I should think you would net
thA, for yourself"
nut II John should be proved 4
have suffered wrongfullyf II he aboui'
se Hhown o. have been Innocent"
His f7btke vas quick. instant witi
force and eArnestnosH which -roallss
he eosf,faom ha replied