The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-01-28
-n-.onc.nc.o.c.c.c-oe


"Yes. know what you're going to
say" said her brother. feebly; 'of course,
but I'm not speaking of that. And Reu-
he is! Hurrahl"
And Mr.. Jennings forgetting his APP
athy, ran down his front garden and
went, bareh eaded and in his shirt sleeves,
at full speed down Hope street, leaving
his sister in charge of the premises.
Reuben Culwick and John Jennings
came into the parlor together few
minutes later, and the latter with a
croak of triumph exclaimed: There,
is right now" as the former
advanced to shake hands with her.
Lucy looked up into the face Of the
healthful man, and smiled
family in response to the CHEEKY ex-
preston which she saw there.
you have kept your word, then, Mr..
Reuben" she said, placing her hand in
his and a very cold hand, with not much
life blood in it, it was that lay in his
brown palms.
but you didn't think that l should"
he cried.
NO" was the fearless reply, as the
thin lips closed together.
'Now, what does she deserve, to face
a man and brother and a frst-hoor
lodger of long and honorable standing,
with this odious greetingT' he said, turn
ing to John Jennings.
Reuben Culwick was In boisterous spir-
its, or he would have never committed
the indiseretion Of suddenly lifting up the
prim Miss Jennings in his arms and kiss
ing her. In all his life he had never kiss
ed her before-never dreamed of taking
such liberty with his landlords sister
but his high spirits carried him away,
and he lifted Lucy Jennings as high as
the ceiling before he kissed her lightly,
and placed her, as he might have done a
child, in her chair again, where she glared
at him In amazement, with her eyes dis
tended and her face not destitute Of color
now.
"You-have been drinkingr' she gasp
ed forth, Indignantly, "or you would have
never done that"
mo, haven't been drinking, Lucy"
said Reuben, quietly; "but this is home,
and | am glad to get back to it."
"Ah! dare say you are," she added,
with irony.
"Skeptical" he cried; John, what
shall do now2"
kiss her again." said John.
"No--I will not have any more of that
'oolery," said Miss Jennings, with intense
acerbity pervading her plain speaking.
81 wouldn't if she Objects" said John;
If she doesn't see the joke of it. 1
lon't think anybody has ever kissed her
except Tots. She's not used to that kind
If thing-she really isn't"
Nothing seemed to distress or disturb
.he equanimity of Reuben Culwick. He
vas glad to get back, or he was one of
he artfulest hypocrites in the County of
Surrey. He understood these two better
han they understood themselves, having
AIKEN the trouble to study and be inter
sted in their eccentricties long before.
"Well, you have set up and kept fire
,urning for a man who was not expect
d." said Reuben; "but you don't ask
ne how l have Jared in the country, what
dventures | have had, what work have
lone, what luck l have encountered"
"We shall be glad to hear how you
AVE got on in Worcester" she said, a |
yomanly curiosity exhibiting itself; 1--WE |
10 not attempt to deny that we are in
crested in you-always interested in you
poor as we are"
"Yes, but don't begin about your DOW
rty again, please-poverty may be "a
BLESSING in disguise for what you, and !, |
nd John know to the contrary" said |
Reuben; 'the poorest and most afflicted |
woman was the happiest mortal whom |
net in Worcestershire, and the richest |
nd most prosperous man found as mis- |
rable and mean as ever"
Are you speaking of your father |
ow?' asked Miss Jennings, anxiously.
'Yes-the gentleman whom you talked |
he into visiting, prodigal son fashion
mt who didn't take me to his breast and |
weep over me, and order his fattest calf |
o be killed in my honor" cried Reuben,
little bitterly. II was humble and con- |
rite, but he was as hard as nails, and |
he whole experiment was tremendous |
allure. Did | not say before l started |
hat this would be the resultP'
Yes" said John, you certainly said |
hat. | am very sorry-I am awfuly
orTy-what a funny man he must be-" |
Extremely funny" said Reuben Gull |
yick, dryly; you would die of laughing
It his humor."
DO you regret that you have offered |
o sink bitter quarrel" inquired Lucy
Jennings, "and to make peaceY
NO"
"You are glad that you have been to
Worcester, are you not, despite this mis-
rable resultP
yes"
"Then taa fault lies with him, as It
lid, before you went, with you. And,
Ir. Reuben" she added, very earnestly, |
you have one sin the less, think"
"Amen to that"
Lucy Jennings regarded him keenly,
S if a suspicion that he was ridiculing
er earnestness had suggested itself, but
Reuben Culwick was grave enough. 1t
vas not always easy to guess when this
trong, self-reliant man was in lest or
arrest.
"What, Totsr cried Reuben, suddenly.
,olding out his arms, into which there
an, with pattering bare feet, a pretty
axen-haired child of three years old.
"Oh, me so glad you have come back,
said the child, half laughing.
o begin with, and then wholly crying
IS n wind-up.
Shell catch her death Of cold!" cried
lr. Jennings. Tots, how could you come
own like this? why amt you asleepY
You said-you said" sobbed the child. |
that he was coming home tonight"
We'll, here | am. young one; don't cry
bout it," murmured the big man, as his
rms folded the child to his breast, and
lis handsome brown beard hid her face
rom view, and tickled her terribly, for
he struggled into sitting position away
rom it, and rubbed her face and eyes
Elizabeth" said Lucy, severely, "this
5 very wrong. Didn't you promise to 70
o sleep?"
Il touldn't." answered Elizabeth.
Come with me" began her aunt
gain, when Tots let forth so tremen-
ous yell that even Lucy, a woman not
asily put down, succumbed at once.
Let her be-" said Reuben Culwick