The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-04-30


Mary Holland ran to the window and
looked back at Reuben.
Open" she cried.
Reuben and Mary Holland stepped in
to the garden. and looked around them.
1t was a dark, dry night, with the stars
hidden now. and the wind soughing
through the larches on the hillside with
such plaintive meanings that Reuben
strove to catch the accents Of his cous-
ms voice amidst them.
I'VE shall find her in the garden said
Reuben assuringly as he STROBE along
the paths. with which he was acquaint-
ed. and directed Mary Holland in Il 1if
ferent direction. When they met again
! a quarter Of an hour had passed. and they
/ were no nearer the discovery of Sarah
| Eastbell She had vanished away com
pletely. MS by miracle: and Reuben
stood discounted by the drawing room
window.
This is beyond all guessing at he
said with half groan.
1.-The window of the picture gallery is
closed and barred" said Mary Holland.
but they are there still"
II will see them at once said Reuben;
| meanwhile send out the servants to
search the country. There has been foul
play here"
mo. no. exclaimed Mary Holland.
"He sad--he promised
"Who promised?' asked Reuben quick
ly
''Sarah's brother" answered Mary. af-
ter moments silence.
"Well--promised whatT' said Reuben
| tiercely.
THAT he and his friend would not in
any way disturb the peace of this house
that they were here in all sincerity
| that"
"Do you ask me to believe in that vaga-
bond, Tom Eastbell? Send the servants
abroad. and leave these men to me-" said
Reuben. passing from her into the draw
! ing room. and proceeding through the
room into the hall. and along the CORR
dor toward the picture gallery. He turn
ed the handle sharply and entered.
The two men were there. In the ran
loling in the armchair there was no dill
Guilty in identifying Thomas Eastbell;
| but he who bent closely, and in Rear
| sighted fashion. over a music book prop
| ped against the lamp. was a stranger lie
| hnd never met before 1t was at him
that Reuben gazed. distressing him more
at first sight than Thomas Eastbel.
II am Reuben Culwick," said our hero
stcrny. looking from one to the other.
IL don't bear you ill will. mind" said
| Tom; when | was in trouble once in Pot
| ters Court and the police came. and
you might have made mischief out Of
| little bit of innersent chaff we had to-
gether. you stood by me like trump. and
I'll shake hands with you, if you ask
me- just for my sisters sake"
(Which of you two men will save him
self from Jail by telling me where Sarah
Eastbcll is? Numbered forth Reuben
! Culwick.
Thomas Eastbelfs lower jaw dropped
at Mr. Culwick's vehemence, and his sem
blance of astonishmcnt was admirably
! feigned. unless he was astonished in real
earnest. Captain Peterson sat down with
his hands upon his knees, in the attitude
of one who anticipated narrative of
! great interest to follow.
Where Sarah Eastbell ISL said Pc
! terson; why do you put such an extra
ordinary question to us, sir. and accom-
panied by such n threat as the jail?"
''She is not in the house. and you two
know where she has gone"
Miss Eastbel was in the drawing
room a quarter of an hour ago. when
stepped in for my VIOLIN" said Peter
son: surely she has not left the house
since2 There must be some mistake. Mr.
/ Culwick. and. mistake or not, you will
excuse me for protesting against your
manner of addressing Mrs. Eastbell's
guests"
Captain Peterson spoke with a fa.ter-
! ing voice. and with considerable warmth
rs man might do whose feelings had
been unnecessarily wounded, and Reuben
Culwick regarded him with graver inter
est. Here was a being to be wary of, il
this were acting.
MAY | inquire your name?" said Reu-
ben.
"My name is Peterson, sir-Captain
Peterson, of the merchant SERVICE
friend of Thomas Eastbell's, and if not
an old friend, still one who does not feel
disposed to allow him to be browbeaten
without a word of protest"
Peterson" muttered Reuben, half
aloud. The name was wholly unfamiliar
to hint had not been mentioned on
that night in Potter's Court. and only
suule udys dilerWdTu ny Lucy Jennings,
when il had not fingered in his memory.
Captain Peterson's dark eyes peered from
under his brOws at Mr.. Culwick, as he re-
peated his name In low tone, and there
was the faintest smile of satisfaction
Pickering over his fresh-colored face ct
the discontinue expressed on Reuben's.
You both deny all knowledge of my
cousins disappearance" said Reuben.
I'VE do" said Peterson. with grave po-
likeness; and Tom took his oath upon it
at once. by way of adding force to his
denial. And now, sir, perhaps you " i'll
tell us what has happened"
And relieve brothers anxiety" add