If he could have his way, he would have this
matter stop just where it was.
Alas! he was not to have his way, as he saw, when at parting he
essayed to make a final protest against a public as well as
premature reopening of this old case. She did not see her position
as he did, and wound up her plea by saying:
"The public must lend their aid, if we are to get the evidence we
need to help us. Can we find the man who whittled that stick?
Never. But some one else may. I am going to give the men and women
of this town a chance. I'm too anxious to clear my husband's
memory to shrink from any publicity. You see, I believe that the
real culprit will yet be found."
The lawyer dropped argument. When a woman speaks in that tone,
persuasion is worse than useless. Besides, she had raised her
veil. Strange, what a sensitive countenance will do!
XIV
ALL IS CLEAR
"This is my daughter, Judge Ostrander, Reuther, this is the
judge."
The introduction took place at the outer gates whither the judge
had gone to receive them.
Reuther threw aside her veil, and looked up into the face bent
courteously towards her. It had no look of Oliver. Somehow she
felt glad. She could hardly have restrained herself if he had met
her gaze with Oliver's eyes. They were fine eyes notwithstanding,
piercing by nature but just now misty with a feeling that took
away all her fear. He was going to like her; she saw it in every
trembling line of his countenance, and at the thought a smile rose
to her lips which, if fleeting, lent such an ethereal aspect to
her beauty that he forgave Oliver then and there for a love which
never could be crowned, but which henceforth could no longer be
regarded by him as despicable.
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