Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-04-29
CHAPTER XlI-Continued.

As for Deborah, she had shrunk out
Of sight at his approach, but as soon
as he had ridden off she looked eager
" for taxicab to carry her in his
wake. She could not let him ride that
mile alone. She was still fearful for
him, though the mass of people about
her was rapidly dissolving away, and
the streets growing clear.
She can see his carriage now. Held
up for a moment by the crowd, it has
broken through, and is rolling quickly
towards Ostrander lane. But the mob
IS following, and she is yet far be-
hind.
Shouting to the the chauffeur to
hasten, the insistent honk! hank! of
the cab adds it raucous note to the
turmoil! They have dashed through
one group-they are dashing through
another-naught can withstand an on
rushing automobile. She catches
glimpses of raised arms threatening
retaliation; of eager, stolid, uncertain
and furious faces-and her breath held
back during that one instant of wild
passage rushes pantingly forth again.
Ostrander lane is within sight. If
only they can reach tiff only they
can cross it! But they cannot with
out sowing death in their track. No
scattered groups here, the mob fills
the corner. 1t is packed close as a
wall Brought up against it, the mo-
tor necessarily comes to a standstiu.
She will have to wait until the
crowd sways apart, allowing her to
All, there, some heads are moving
now! She catches one glimpse ahead
of her, and see-What does she see?
The noble but shrunk figure of the
judge drawn up before his gate. His
lips are moving, but no sound issues
from them; a change passes like q.
stroke of lightning over the surging
mass. Some one shouts out Coward"
another, 'Traitor!" and the lifted head
falls, the moving lips cease from their
efforts and in place of the great per-
sOnality which filled their eyes a mo-
ment before, they see a man en-
trapped, waking to the horror of a sud
den death in life for which no visions
o. the day, no dreams of the night, had
been able to prepare him.
It was a sight to waken pity, not de-
rision. But these people had gathered
here in a bitter mood and their rancor
had but scented the prey. Calls of
OLIVER" and such threats as You
saved him at a poor mans expense.
but We'll have him yet, we'll have him
yeti" began to rise about him; follow
ed by endless repetitiOns of the name
from near and far: oliver! OIiver!"
Oliver! His own lips seemed to re-
echo the word. Then like a lion baited
beyond his patience the judge lifted
his head and faced them all with a
fiery intensity which for the moment
made him a terrible figure to contem-
plate
Let 10 one utter that name to me
here!" shot from his lips in tones of
unspeakable menace and power.
Spare me that name, or the curse of
my ruined life be upon you. I can
bear no more today"
The cry arose again: oliver! Oil
vert The sons of the rich go free,
but ours have to hang!"
At which he save them one stare
and fell back against the door. 1t
yielded and womans arms received
him. The gentIe Reuther in that hour
dT dire extremity, showed herself
stronger than her mother who had
fallen in faint amid the crowd
To one who swoons but seldom, the
moment of returning consciousness is
often fraught with great pain and
sometimes with unimaginable horror.
Ii was such to Deborah; the pain and
horror holding her till her eyes, &C
customed to realities again, saw in the
angel face which fioated before her
vision amid a swarm of demon masks,
the sweet and sohcitous countenance
of Reuther.
Reuther, taking her mothers hand
in hers, said softly:
7 knew you we're not seriously i'll,
only frightened by the crowd and their
senseless shoutings. Don't think Of it
any more, dear mother. The people