The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-06-04
CHAPTER xxIv.-toontinued.)
cS@Ss


sence from Sedge Hill had rendered nu-
gatory, all the new scheming to which
that absence had given rise, and which
was set in action with Sarah's return,
had collapsed at the eleventh hour. Sarah
was neither dead nor a captive, and Tom
was as far removed from prosperity as
he had ever been.
IL never meant" he began, then
he burst forth with-"Oh, / am 30 glad
that you've come back. Sally--so glad
that you amt deadp'
Were you waiting for the news ~ my
death. thenr asked Sarah with indigna-
ton. "There IL your world, Tom," she
saids pointing to the door, beyond this
house, and any love Of mine, from this
day. You could not trust me-you set a
snare for me, and called in rogues and
villains to assist-you begrudged me my
property and my life. Now co."
Lucy Jennings hard voice cut short his
defense, and he backed from the woman
80 the grounds beyond the house with
every word she hurled at him.
"Tom Eastbell, some hours ago, In Lon
don' I gave information to the police
where the Peterson gang were likely to
DO found-where you were, and In what
way you were connected with them. You
AANS MOT any time TO lose.
He lost no time accordingly. He van
tshed away, a thief to the last-for he
departed with Reuben Culwick's best hat
Slammed over his eyebrows. Sarah turned
again to Reuben, her watchful protector,
who would keep her for ever In his sight
now, and as the door closed she linked her
hands upon his arm.
Take me in, please am tired out,
RANhAN. hav0 fosVuhk hop1 en- ~n&
homer
"Tell me how 1t happened--how It was
that you disappeared from all of US 90
suddenly" said Reuben impatiently.
he did not regard Lucy Jennings-he
drew his chair to his cousins side, took
her hand In his, and gazed eagerly into
her face. She might fade away again
from his life, II he did not make sure of
Aer.
eyes, yes" said Sarah, in answer to his
questions; "but grandmother-tell me,
nrsc, IL she not very anxious about me 7"
"Your grandmother 10 not anxious,
Sarah" said Lucy In low tone.
SIS she ill.,"
''NO. She is not Ill now"
us she-ahl you are keeping some
thing back! Tell me, please" she said
In great excitement, "where is she. She
&s not dead-oh! she has not died without
q word from meW
She 10 In Gods hands-and God keep
you strong to bear the loss Of her." said
Lucy Jennings.
Sarah Eastbell closed her eyes, and
sank back In the chair like a dead wom-
an. Reuben, q man wholly uncharita-
ble-as men will be In stages of excite
ment which strike home to them, and rob
them Of their self-possession- up
ON the poor preacher, who had done her
best at least.
There. you have killed her! Are you
satisfied nowT he shouted at Lucy Jen-
nlngS.
II am not satisfied with this world. or
with you," was the cold answer, as she
bent over Sarah, and loosened the fast
eningS at her throat. But Sarah East
bell had not tainted; she was only stunned
by the truth, and she sat up the instnnt
Rfterward, eager for the whole story,
and looking piteously from ono to the
ether.
It was not In Reuben's power to break
the news to her after all, and he left It
to the woman whom his impotence had
wounded.
''Tell her. Lucy. 1t 10 beyond me-" he
said.
The tragedy of sedge Hill was over,
and he could not dwell upon its details,
CHAPTER XIV.
Lucy Jennings was writing busily in
heF room when Sarah came In softly. The
woman-preacher had gone to her apart
ment away from the society of two young
folks who thought of little save each 9TH
or, and whose courtBhip did not interest
hal xrroa nEk -
Of Mrs. Eastbell
'Oh, Lucy, what do you think he has
been saying2" Sarah cried in excitement.
"Who has been SayingT asked Lucy,
without looking in her direction.
"Reuben, to be sure
always Reuben! had forgotten there
was no other man upon the earth but
Reuben Culwick," she said bitterly.
He says l may ask your opinion II I
willard you will think how right he
TO-"
att will be about the first time in my
life that I have thought him In the
right" she muttered. then she added in
her sharpest and jerkiest manner: "Well,
what Is hT'
II have been telling him of your going
away to-morrow-of the necessity Of his
going, too, as you suggested, and he says
oh, Lucy! what do you think he has got
Into his dear old head?" she cried, CLAN
ping her hands together.
~ can't guess-what Is the object of
guessing when it is easy for you to ex-
plainT was the ungracious rejoinder.
Sarah ESstbell did not notice the chilli
nens of Miss Jennings remarks. She
dashed into her subject forthwith; she
spoke Of Reuben's wish for an early mar
Eiage as a wise and natural solution to
the difficulties in their way.
elm all his life he has been in a hurry"
Lucy said when Sarah had completed her
recital, $50 what Is the use Of my ad-
vice? 1t would>be an ill-timed formnlity,
Of no value to either Of you. If he had
been less impetuous," said Lucy, bet:1y-
ing a sudden excitement herself, at would
have been as well-it would have given
me time to think. Sarah. you must not
marry Reuben Culwick yet"
"You-you think that It is not right
II IL not respectful to the msaory Of her
I have lost?" asked Sarah.
"ReRpectfulr' cried Lucy contemptu-
ously. 81 have not given thought to it!