The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-03-31
CHAPTER XVIII.

The wondering, scoWllng races IN the
shadow of the corridor receded slowly,
and then the door of the picture gallery
was closed, as though Reuben Culwick' 8
presence could not be tolerated at that
juncture. Reuben glanced along the cor
ridor, and then turned to Mary Holland.
"They are in the RalleryY' he inquired.
"And the old lady is asleep, and well
watehed2 You should have telegrapbed
to me, and not have lost time by the
post" he said.
II dare not leave the house, and there
was no one whom / cared to intrust with
q message"
Sarah looked from one to the other Gu
riously, and Reuben Culwick smiled
"See what couple of conspirators we
are, Sarah," he said; "but the fact is,
your brother Tom and his acquaintances
have been disturbing my mind Of late
days. l have feared that this day would
come, and that you might be powerless
and need help-although Tom may be a
very good fellow when one is thoroughly
acquainted with him."
"You know what he is" said Sarah,
very moodily.
Hence, one day." he continued, II
wrote In confidence to Miss Holland, and
asked her to warn me when a crisis of
this kind occurred--which it has, you
see. You were Toms sister, and Toms
sisters feelings had to be respected. lie
Sides" he added, II was afraid of you. "
"Afraidv echoed Sarah Eastbell. "Of
whatT
'Of your turning up In my Drury Lane
den and offering me your compassion, and
aggravating me by your assistance.
was a sour-tempered beast. Sarah, and
afraid Of the softening influence of sec.
Ond-cousinism."
II don't understand you, Mr.. Culwick," /"
said Sarah, very coldly now; but never
did, for the matter of that. You are sus.
picious Of me--tlat's all l perceive at
present"
well, your visit to me this morning
did me a great deal of good" he conde-
scended to explain still further-"assured
me that you we're genuine young wom-
an, and that l was an old fool; that you
understood the world, and didn't And
without Miss Hollands danger signal, |
should have come In good time to Sedge
HILL"
"Would you1" she cried, half laughing
and half crying now.
miss Eastbell hardly knows what or
In whom to believe, Mr.. Culwick," said
Mary Holland at this juncture, land her
friends and enemies are hopelessly inter
mixed"
II think that you must be my friend" /"
said Sarah, extending her hand to her at
once. Forgive me if l have been hard
tonight"
Her hand was on the drawing room
door, when a shrill voice, unmIstakable
and startling at that hour, echoed through
the house;
Reuben Culwick, Is that your"
The two young women and the biz
bearded man between them paused ond
looked at each other Sarah Eastbel
whispered:
Grandmother"
Eyes, II Is l." answered Reuben.
Come upstairs directly, and dom
bring anybody with you" and then th'
head Of Mrs. Eastbell appeared over the
hrst line of balusters in the well stair
ease.
Go to her." said Sarah anxlously
"Shs would make amends for being II
your fathers house. Don't thwart her.
When Reuben Culwick had reached th,
landing stage from which the head o.
bis old aunt had appeared, he came to
full stop in his surprise at discovering
that Second-cousin Sarah was following
him.
$50 you are here at last. young fellow
you have swallowed your pride, anC
come to see me-" were the first words O
Mrs. Eastbell from the bed into whicl
she had been assisted. and before whlcl
be sat down.
Il have swallowed my pride, aunt, ant
come to see you," he said in her owl
words
Lucky for yOu," she answered. 'for
though | didn't tell Sally 50, was no
going to be sighted by . bit Of a bO!
like you"