insisted upon her husband's guilt, when she had expected
consideration and a thoughtful recapitulation of the evidence; and
he had remained unmoved, or but very little moved, by the
disappointment of his son--his only remaining link to life.

Why? Was the alienation between these two so complete as to block
out natural sympathy? Had the separation of years rendered them
callous to every mutual impression? She dwelt in tenderness upon
the bond uniting herself and Reuther and could not believe in such
unresponsiveness. No parent could carry resentment or even
righteous anger so far as that. Judge Ostrander might seem cold,--
both manner and temper would naturally be much affected by his
unique and solitary mode of life,--but at heart he must love
Oliver. It was not in nature for it to be otherwise. And yet--

It was at this point in her musing that there came one of the
breaks in her restless pacing. She was always of an impulsive
temperament, and always giving way to it. Sitting down before
paper and ink she wrote the following lines:

My Darling if Unhappy Child:

I know that this sudden journey on my part must
strike you as cruel, when, if ever, you need your mother's
presence and care. But the love I feel for you, my Reuther,
is deep enough to cause you momentary pain for the sake of
the great good I hope to bring you out of this shadowy
quest. I believe, what I said to you on leaving, that a great
injustice was done your father. Feeling so, shall I remain
quiescent and see youth and love slip from you, without any