Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-03-25
CHAPTER xvI.-tContinued.)

his sisters frmness. She was right; she
was changed. This was not the woman
of two years ago, who had some hopes
of him, and whom he had talked ovel
more than once-who had been afraid OF
him, and had not been altogether wanting
in affection for him; this was some one
whom he had scarcely expected to End
at Sedge Hill.
You would ruin me if you could
,then," he said; "you would stand between
me and my share of the good luck which
has come to the old woman. You would
live on rich as a Jew, and leave me te
starve, or steal-to go to the workus, OF
the prison."
Il think that possibly 1 am in the
way" said the gentleman by the fire
place, intruding upon the conversation foi
the first time; you and your brother can
arrange this little matter SO much bet
ter without me, Miss Eastbell."
Toms friend rose and went softly out
of the room, and through the open bay
window, into the night air, where be
was lost to view.
"Will you tell me who that is! said
Sarah, pointing to the window through
which Captain Peterson had disappear
ed.
"a naval oficer-merchant service,
Tom explained; ian intimate friend OF
mine-a regular swell"
"The last time 1 saw him, it was IN
Potter's Court" said Sarah Eastbell de-
cisively; she came in and out of No.
at uncertain hours of the night, and gave
directions to men who were his brothers,
and who seemed of lower position than
himself. He took away with him. re
member also, packages of bad money. lie
was a captain then, but it was of gang
of coiners"
Thomas Eastbell sat back in his chair,
and glared at his sister. Sarah looked
up.
"You want money, suppose?" she
said.
"Who doesn't?" he added, with Il short,
sharp laugh.
"How much will satisfy you, and take
you from this house?"
Grandmother does not want to part
with me-" he said; ''but if you and I are
not likely to agree, and matters can be
arranged, a good round sum-annual-
payable in advance, and my name down
In the will for fair share"
''That cannot be-"
"Then give me a lump sum now, and
have done with me. I'll go abroad-I'n
take another name-I'l do anything
II have money of my own. must
arrange with you, and spare that poor
old woman. All, Toni! she said, sadly,
''let her think the best of you till the last.
act for grandmother in my own name,
and for everything. So it is in my power
to help you a little, but you must not be
too extortionate. I hold the money
grandmother holds the money-in trust
for others"
"You don't mean"
''Never mind what I mean," said
Sarah; "all my meanings belong to the
future, when 1 may be no richer than 1
am-when 1 shall have nothing to do
with this house."
But grandmother-"
"Leaves all to me-trusts to my iudg-
ment in everything. By making me your
enemy, Tom, you make yourself a beg
gar"
She could not impress this fact too
strongly upon a gentleman of Mr.. Thom-
as Eastbell's turn of mind, and he sat
with his hands clutching his knees, per-
picked at last by the problem which she
had set him to solve. He did not know
that she had risen till her hand fell light
ly on his shoulder and then he started, as
at the touch of police officer.
Make up your mind to go away, and
go away soon-before grandmother has
time to guess what you are, and what
your life has been. To-morrow-then next
day at the farthest."
Its hard. It's beastly unfair" he
muttered as Sarah left him with another
warning of the evils of delay. He reflect
ed on the matter after she had gone;
If Sarah were perplexed what to do,
equally was he perplexed now as to the
right course to pursue. A false step might
ruin every chance that he had. He had
come for money, but he did not know
what to ask, or how much money was
at his sisters disposal.
Captain Peterson came back into the
room. and shut and fastened the bay
window carefully after him, as though he
were nervous about thieves. Having Sc
cured the bolts to his satisfaction, he ad-
vanced softly toward his friend.
How have you got on with her, Tom 2"
he asked in a low tone, as he dropped
into his old place by the mantelpiece.
"She remembers you at No. 2 Potter's
Court, old fellow. She can swear to you
in any court of justice in the world
Its awkward" said Captain Peter
son thoughtfully. What did you tell
me that this girl was weak and nervous
for, and that she and her grandmother
were only living together? Didn't Mary
Holland count for anything?''
Il thought that you would be glad to
see her again." said his companion with
a short laugh.
II am not afraid of her." said the 9TH
er, "but don't make out your sister ex-
actly. She's dangerous. She would not
stand nice about blowing up the whole
thing, can see. How long does she give
you to clear out?'
.'Till tomorrow night-or the day af-
ter that"
What we make up our minds to do,
Tom, must be done quickly" he said.
"You had better leave all this in NV
hands. If you don't leave it to me-I
shall cut the whole business tomorrow" !"
Tom Eastbell left the whole manage
ment of his affairs to Captain Peterson
forthwith.