The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1916-01-06
CHAPTER XVII.
The Curtain liftsd.

The Curtain ltftsd.
II was dark whea Mr.. Black came
iato Shelby. and darker still when hs
rang the bell Of Judge Ostrander's
Aosss. But II was not late. and his
agitation Aal but few minutes In
Which 70 grow. before the gate swung
vide and ~ felt her hand In his.
She vas expecting him. There vas
- necessity for preliDinaries. and hs
could ask At once for the Judge and
whether 10 was stroas enough to bear
disappointment
Deborah's answer vas disconcerting. |
I've not seen hin. He admits no
BODY. When enter the library. he ~
treats to his bedroom. have not
even been allowed to hand him his |
letters put them ON his tray whss /
carry In his meals"
Il am afraid he never will hear
from Oliver The boy gave Us the
slip In the most remarkable manner. I
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 II
fall with an indescribable aspect OF
sorrow upon 4 picture which had late
ly been found and rehung upon the
wall II was 4 portrait Of divers
mother.
II am disappointed" she murmured
In bitter reflection to herself. II did
not expect Oliver to clear himself, but
l did expect him to face his accusers
IL only for his fathers sake What am
I to say now to the judge?"
! Nothing tonight. In the morning
We will talk the whole subject over.
must first explain myself to An
drews. and. II possible. learn his In
tentions; then shall know better
what to advise"
did the oficer you met on your
return from Tempest lodge follow you
to Shelby?"
Il have not seen him"
THAT IL bad. He followed Oliver"
1T 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 . silence followed.
during which such entire stiffness
rested upon the house that . similar
thought rose in both minds Could 1t
be that under this same roof. and only
separated from them by 4 partition.
there brooded another human being
helplessly awaiting q message which
would never come. and listening, but
how vainly. for the step and voice for
which he hungered, though they we're
the prelude to further shame and the
signal for coming punishment.
So strong was this thought in both
their minds, that tho shadow deep
ened upon both faces. as though 4
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 might 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-
stopping-stopping before the gates!
Deborah turned and looked at Mr.
Black. Then the bell rang Never
had 1t sounded so shrill and penetrat,
ing. Never had it rung quite such a
summons through this desolate house.
Recoiling, she made a motion of en-
treaty.
Co" she whispered. Open! I
cannot"
Quickly he obeyed. She ..eard him
pass out and down the walk, and
through the first gate. Then there
came a silence, followed BY the open.
ing Of the second gate. Then. a sound
like smothered greetings. followed by
quickly advancing steps and q voice
she knew:
How is my father! Is he well? I
cannot enter till l know"
1t was Oliver!-come from some dis
tant station. or from some other line
which he had believed unmatched
Tumuituous as her thoughts were, she
dared not indulge In them for 4 mo-
nient, 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 bade 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 keen yOur own