"
"The same by which Judge Ostrander leaves the house?"
"Yes," came in faint reply.
"I see that you share my fears. If one such scrap can be thrown
over the fence, why shouldn't another be? Men who indulge
themselves in writing anonymous accusations seldom limit
themselves to one effusion. I will stake my word that the judge
has found more than one on his lawn."
She could not have responded if she would; her mouth was dry, her
tongue half paralysed. What was coming? The glint in the lawyer's
eye forewarned her that something scarcely in consonance with her
hopes and wishes might be expected.
"The judge has seen and read these barefaced insinuations against
his son and has not turned this whole town topsy-turvy! What are
we to think of that? A lion does not stop to meditate; HE SPRINGS.
And Archibald Ostrander has the nature of a lion. There is nothing
of the fox or even of the tiger in HIM. Mrs. Scoville, this is a
very serious matter. I do not wonder that you are a trifle
overwhelmed by the results of your ill-considered investigations."
"Does the town know? Has the thing become a scandal--a byword?
Miss Weeks gave no proof of ever having heard one word of this
dreadful not-to-be-foreseen business."
"That is good news. You relieve me. Perhaps it is not a general
topic as yet." Then shortly and with lawyer-like directness, "Show
me the letter which has disturbed all your plans."
"I haven't it here."
"You didn't bring it?"
"No, Mr.
Pages:
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174