The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-05-12

CHAPTER xxvT.-(Continusd.j


sle-I only want to ask you how you
are, after all these months" said Thomas
Eastbell, offering 4 very dirty hand 10
the child to shake.
"Come, you let her alone, win your
said John Jennings sharply. John did
not admire the looks Of the man who had
forced himself upon the notice Of Reu-
ben's adopted child; John held Tots In
trust, and was watchful of his charge.
The man before him was a forlorn speci-
men Of humanity, ragged and dirty. John
did not know Thomas Eastbel at first
sight, but be was Judge Of disreputa-
bility--he had seen 80 much Of Il In
Hope street.-the had become 70 dlsFeDut-
able himself
II have az much right to the child as
you have" said Tom In a surly tone,
'or as your master has, for the matter
Of that. The chiId's shtOle, and you
know H."
II don't know t."
"And its father win come 70 claim II
precious quick, too--see II he don't--and
you can tell Mr.. Culwick, too, direckly
you get home. Say Tom Eastbell told
him so--or VizzobIni. You ought to
know vIzzobInI Of the Saxe-Gotha."
"You are Thomas EastbelI, thenT
"Yes, and don't care who knows II.
You car give me In charge II you like
--say for coming last year--I shall do Il
myself In an hour or two, II you don't
.--i hats the workus, and lis awful cold
outside the prison. Where's sallyf
~Your sister, do you meanT'
"Yes, Of course do" answered Tim;
"she amt at Sedge HILL"
''Never mind where sha Is"
"0h, don't mind. She won't help
me--I'm her only brother. and starving
IN the streets. But you can take my
compliments to her. Mr.. Jennings, aud
I'm 10 be heard Of at the 'Magple.'"
Reubes was hard at Trumpet work
when John jennings and Tots arrived
home with the news OF their meeting
with Thomas Eastbeil. He was working
against time somewhat. but be nss hIa
pen aside to listen to John Janulngs
recital and Tots scared Interpretations.
paying particular attention to Mr.. East.
bells information that the child would
bc fetched away presently BY her father.
sand he said that Sarah might hear
Of him at the MagpIeT"
YES" answered John Jennings.
"John," he said suddenly, Hyou must
take letter to Sarah at once
VERY well, Mr.. Reuben"
Don't say anything Of your meeting
With her BROTHER
Trust me for that" said John know
lngIy.
"She ls not strong enough for any fresh
trouble" said Keuhen, as he drew 4 sheet
Of note paper toward him and wrote very
reluctantly an excuse for not being able
70 see her as he had promised He alleg-
cd no Feason--he would explain when be
saw her, he said--and he re-read the
letter somewhat critically after he had |
finished the writing Of It. It was
brief epIste; he should see her to-mor- |
row, he hoped, and that would be time
enough for explanation OF his breach Of |
promise. Sarah trusted him implicitly, |
and would know that only business Of
Importance could keep him from her. She
did not expect a long letter from him,
and heap Of reasons, at that busy hour
Of the day. Let the letter go.
In the evening, somewhat late, Reuben
Culwlck, not too fashIonably attlred, was
At the "Magpie." Il was eight o'clock
or later, when Thomas Hastbells pock-
marked coutnenance peered round one Of
the swing doors. The "Magple" was
Toms forlorn hope. He had sent a
message to bis sister, and she might at
tend to II. Who knowsl He caught
sight Of Reuben Culwick, and his llrst
impulse was to back into the street. Then
he wavered; and while he was hesltatlng
Reuben came from the public house and
confronted him.
"You need not run away, Tom East.
bell" said Reuben.
Il haven't done you any HARM" he
returned; Il haven't done, nobody any
harm--never. al that you have heard
about me has been pack Of lies I've
been as honest az | could be, aud this
Ia what comes Of Il. I'm hard up---Im
starving, Mr.. Culwick, haven't tasted
food to-day"
Where are your frlendsT
They turned me out Of their house.
They said | was a blunderlng fool. One
OF them kicked me, last time saw him."
"The Captaini"
Tom Eastbell laughed sardonlcally.
NO he can't kick. lie broke both
his legs In the country, jumping from
window Of the button factory to get out
Of the way Of the police. He can only
swear and euss me now"
"Is this Edward Peterson the father
Of the little girl you met this morning p
He says he Ia, He gave me money
% take care Of her altogether. But il
wasn't enough, so | lost her.. said Tom 1
c0olly--"or rather" he added, interpret.
lng Reuben's look Of disgust correctly.
my old woman lost her. II was her
fault She never had mite Of feeling
ln her for anybody save herself"
And found the child when she was |
lost"
And then Peterson turned an. and /
Stormed and raved at me. till told him
where the child was, and he stole Il from ]
you back again. He was fond Of that 4
child when he was In good temper
which wasn't often though.n
His wife--is she deadP'
Long ago, he tells me-"
Where is Edward Peterson nowr
TN Worcester Mitcheson's plaee a
near the riyer--and you can put the Z
bobbies on to him, II they're not taking h
care Of him already. He has treated me g
bad enough"
who Is with him7" 4
IAN old sweetheart, who will marry
him when his legs get better" In
is II Mary Holland1" n
THAT'S her name. The woman who
was at Sedge Hill You know her well 1
"And she Is with Edward Peterson at G
Worcesterr' N
"Yes" la
Reuben Culwick waited for no further A
Jews: he had learned more than he had a
be thought be saw all very
'learly to the end now, and where his !
luty lay. He darted from the friendly h
helter Of the "Magpie." and hurried into \
Iolborn, and from Holborn through sun 4
~ back turnlngs into Drury Lane.
Thsrs he met John Jennings. whs passed a