But he gave no proof of this in voice or
manner, as pacing the floor in alternate approach and retreat, he
finally addressed the motionless figure he could no longer ignore.
"You want to know what has happened here? If you mean lately, I
shall have to explain that anything which has lately occurred to
distress your father or make your presence here desirable, has its
birth in events which date back to days when this was your home
and the bond between yourself and father the usual and natural
one."
Silence in that shadowy corner! But this the speaker had expected,
and must have exacted even if Oliver had shown the least intention
of speaking.
"A man was killed here in those old days--pardon me if I am too
abrupt--and another man was executed for this crime. You were a
boy--but you must remember."
Again he paused; but no more in expectation of or desire for an
answer than before. One must breathe between the blows he
inflicts, even if one is a lawyer.
"That was twelve years ago. Not so long a time as has elapsed
since you met a waif of the streets and chastised him for some
petty annoyance. But both events, the great and the little, have
been well remembered here in Shelby; and when Mrs. Scoville came
amongst us a month or so ago, with her late but substantial proofs
of her husband's innocence in the matter of Etheridge's death,
there came to her aid a man, who not only remembered the beating
he had received as a child, but certain facts which led him to
denounce by name, the party destined to bear at this late day the
onus of the crime heretofore ascribed to Scoville.
Pages:
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298