Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-01-31
CHAPTER XIX.

The will Of Sarah Eastbell was COM
pleted, and Hartley, the maid and Il
second servant were introduced into the
room to witness the old lady's effort at a
signature.
Its good thing done, after all,
muttered Mrs. Eastbell as she lay down
wearify.
It's brief and unlawyer-ike," said
Reuben, contemplating the will, "but |
think it sets forth your intentions clearly,
aunt. What shall do with it?'
Lock it in that iron box; the key is
under my pillow" said Mrs. Easthel.
Reuben found the key, and locked up
the will, restoring the key to it's place
beneath his aunt's head.
It had been day of more than ordi-
nary fatigue and excitement to Mrs.
Eastbell, and she was tired out; sleep
was life to a woman of her age, and he
would not trouble her again concerning
the granddaughter, or ask her any ques-
tons respecting the engagement. There
would be time enough tomorrow to con-
slider that-and Sarah was waiting for
him.
Reuben went downstairs thoughtfllly.
He had almost resolved to proceed to the
don was too strong to seek out his second
cousin, who would surely be in the draw
ing room awaiting him. He had a great
deal to tell her now, and little to ex-
plain concerning his past misonthropy,
which had grown more strongly develop
ed as she at last seemed to fade away
more completely from him. y real hero
Inc had his Second-cousin Sarah proved
herself to be; he wished that he had been
more of a hero to match, that he had
more bravely endured the inevitable. She
did not know yet what an obstinate and
bad-tcmpered man he was, and how he
lad quarreled with everybody in turn
after his fathers death. He went into
the drawing room full of these odd reso-
buttons, and found Mary Holland there.
"Whsre is Sarah p he asked, after
glance round the room had assured him
of the absence of his second cousin.
"Sarah?' said Miss Holland, springing
TO her feet. Has she not been with you
IN Mrs Eastbell's room?'''
"She left it half an hour since"
wait an instant"
Mary Holland left the room; and Reu-
ben remained, with a new perplexity to
battle with, and rising doubts and fears
to beat down.
Mary Holland entered the room again.
and was standing at the door, paler
and more affected woman than when he
had seen her few minutes since.
Gomez she said at last.
''What do you mean?
-"That-that Sarah Eastbcll is not in
the house," explained Mary.
1T can't be truer calculated Reuben.
''Stay, let me think still. For heav-
ems sake give a distracted woman time
to Think
Reuben, in the midst of his excitement
remembered afterward that the demeanor
of Mary Holland aroused in him for an
instant halfwondering interest. as in
a dream of vague beliefs and startling in
constituencies; and then the trouble of
Sarah's absence took away all thought of
everything else.
Her brother and the man he brought
with him. said Reuben, where are
theyy'
They are in the gallery still; they
could not have left the room without my
being warned"
They are In this plot, if plot there
an be-" said Reuben.
Mary Holland ran to the window and
looked back at Reuben.
Open" she cried.
Reuben and Mary Holland stepped in
to the garden, and looked around them.
1t was a dark dry night, with the stars
hidden now, and the wind soughing
through the larches on the hillside with
such plaintive meanings that Reuben
strove to catch the accents of his cous-
sDss vnica amidst them
I'VE shall find her in the garden" said
Reuben assuringly, as he strobe along
shs paths, with which he was acQualnt-