The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-04-30
CHAPTER Xxx

Only one person slept that night in the
big house at Sedge Hill. While Mrs.
Eastbell slumbered, the inmates were
astir, and not a few Of them abroad, beat
ing right and left for scraps of informa-
ton, and failing in their object miscra-
bly,. Sarah Bastbell had disappeared,
leaving not trace by which she might
be followed.
AS Reuben rode to Worcester he scan
ned the hedge rows, and the dry bitches,
for trace of her; he turned into yawn-
ing lanes where all was of an indistin-
guishable darkness; he refined in his horse
ntty times to listen to the noises of the
night-the Shrek of distant engine, toll
ing on with its luggage through the coun-
try to some bustling center; the rattle
OF the train, the rustling of the trees,
the Whirring of night bird in the long
grass OF the meadows, the yelping of dogs
III the farm house yards, as he dashed
by. He found his way at last to Wor-
cester, and went slowly, hopelessly along
Its deserted streets in the direction Of
the police station.
IL was seven In the morning when he
was at Sedge Hill again. He rode back
In hot haste, as if something unforeseen
were to be thwarted by his quick return:
and he was prepared for evil tidinps. as
ne passed into the hall and found Miss
aoliand' pale as he had seen her last,
awaiting him with eager eyes.
What news-what has happened since
have been awayw he exclaimed.
Nothing has happened" answered
Mary Holland; "and you? Have YOU
heard or seem"
There 10 not trace of her."
he sat before the fire where his cousin
sarah was surprised by her sister-in-law,
ana endeaVored from his bewildered brain
to shape out scheme for her discovery
When the maid Hartley entered with
BREAKFAST on little tray, and set it down
on a coffee table at his side.
There was a letter lying on the tray.
addressed to himself. The superscription
was in a strange hand, fine bold hand
writing, characterized by too many flour
lshes to be wholly satisfactory, and he
took up the letter curiously, broke the
seal and read the following epistle:
Slr-After your discourteous behavior
OF yesterday evening, cannot, with sat-
to myself, remain a guest in
your aunt's establishment. I feel COM
PEELED to withdraw from position which
It Is incompatible with my dignity to re-
tain. have intrusted Mr.. Thomas East.
bell with my kind regards to his grand
mother, to whose hospitality and invario-
DE kindness / am forever deeply indebt-
3D. My servant will call for my violin
II the course of next week. | beg 10 re-
main, sir; your nhedient servant.
"EDWARD PETERSON"
Ihere was a deep furrow on the brow
II Reuben Culwick when he had finish.
I'd the perusal of this letter.
why was this man allowed to leava
he house" he asked. HE who calls
himself Captain Peterson"
II didn't know that he was gone cir
Not that could have stopped him. M
Julwick' as all the servants were away
when saw him last"
when was that?"
AT five O'Clock this morning. He was
alking to Miss Holland-here, inst
Vhere l stand, strand think that thew
we're having few words. 1 don't know
or certain, but think So"
You suspected them?' said Reuben
quickly.
'N-no, sir, I don't say that" was the
Iuick answer, as the woman flinched hn-
ore his steady gaze; "but was curious,
4 course. It's all in such a muddle. sir
ust now, and Miss Hollands very kind:
he's been always very kind to ali of vs'
ut wanted to hear what they had to
ay, because poor Miss Sarah was angry
t those two being together in the garden
asst night"
Those two-which two?"
Miss Holland and the Captain"
Sarah was angry" repeated Reuben
with whomT"
with Miss Holland, just before Won
anne. She said she couldn't trust her.
heard that as l was passing with nv
distress cruel, quite by accident"
THAT will do" said Reuben, moodilv.
don't say any more. will wait for
tiss Holland"
Ito be continued.)