The state herald., 1915-10-22
CHAPTER vl-contInued.


"Ah, Judge ostrander," she ex.
claimed in hasty but not ungraceful
greeting, you are very punctual.
was not looking for you yet" Then,
as she noted the gloom under which
he was laboring. she continued with
real feeling, Indeed, appreciate this
sacrifice you have made to my wishes.
1t was asking great deal of you to
come here; but saw no other way
OF making my point clear Come over
here, Peggy. and build me a little
house out Of these stones. You don't
mind the child, do you. Judge? She
may offer diversion II our retreat is
invaded"
The gesture of disavowal which he
made was courteous but insincere. He
did mind the child. but he could not
explain why; besides, he must over
come such folly.
Now" she continued as she re-
Joined him on the place where he had
taken his stand. 81 will ask you to
20 back with me to the hour when
John Scoville left the tavern on that
fatal day. I am not now on oath. but
might as well be for any slip l shall
make in the exact truth. | was max.
ing pies In the kitchen, when some
one came running in to say that Reu-
ther had strayed away from the front
yard. And here | found her. sir. right
IN the heart OF these ruins. She was
playing with stones Just as Peggy
dear is doing now. Greatly relieved.
was taking her away when thought
heard John calling. Stepping up to
the edge close behind where you are
standing. sir-yes. there. where you
get such broad outlook up and down
the ravine-l glanced In the direction
from which had heard his call-just
wait moment. sir: want to know
the exact time"
Stopping, she pulled out her watch
and looked at II. while he. faltering
up to the verge which she had pointed
out. followed her movements with
strange Intensity as she went on to
say In explanation OF her act:
"The time is important. ON account
of certain demonstration | am anx.
ious TO make. Now II you will lean
little forward and look where am
pointing. you will notice at the turn
of the stream a spot OF ground more
open than the rest. Please keep your
eyes on that spot. for II was there
saw at this very hour twelve years
ago the shadow OF an approaching ilg.
ure; and II is there you will presently
see one similar. II the boy have
tried to interest in this experiment
does not fall me. Now, now, sirl We
should see his shadow before we see
him. oh. ] hope the underbrush and
trees have not grown up too thick, I
tried to thin them out today Are you
watching. sirf"
He seemed to be. but she dared sot
turn TO look. Both figures leaned,
intent. and In another moment she
had gSpped his arm and clung there.
'Did you seeT" she whispered.
Don't mind the boy: It's the shadow
] wanted you to notice. Did you oh.
serve anything marked about ~"
ruins. They were standing In that
one secluded corner under the ruin.
Gus gable. and nhe was gazing up Mt
him very earnestly. Tell me. Judge"
she cntrcatcd as he made no effort
to answer,
With hurried moistening of his
lips. he met her look and responded,
with u slight emphasis:
THE boy held n stick. I should
say that he wan whiting H."
'Ahl" Her ton. was triumphant.
That was what told him to do. Did
you see anything eisef"
No ! do not understand this c,.
pertinent or what you hope from H."
u will toll you. The shadow which
! raw nj moment very like this,
twelve years ago, showed n man
whiting stick and wearing cap
with a decided peak In front My
husband wore such a cnp-the only
one ! know OF In town. What more
did ] need no proof that II was his
shadow | saw"
And wasn't ~"
Judge optrandcr. I never thought
differently III after tho trlnl-till
after the earth closed over my poor
husbands remains. That was why I
could say nothing In hls defense
why ! did not believe him when hc
declared that he had left his stick be.
hind him when ho ran up the blum
after teuther, Int later. when II was
all over, when the disgrace OF his
death aud the necessity OF seeking
q home sis~~hsre drove mo into seIl.