The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-04-09
CHAPTER XV.-lContinued.l

thor's den--a glimpse even OF Old Grub
street times. when authors worked hord
for their daily bread. and none knew what
became of the profits of their scribb'ins.
and no one cared save the thieves who
sold books.
In the midst of the chaos on the desk
there lay a little dainty note, stamped
and sealed and unopened, which had been
placed there by the landlady during his
absence from home; and 1t was in 'udy
handwriting. of that Sarah Eastbell was
assured.
She was not particularly reserved
about examining it: indeed, her impulse
toward it did not allow time for those
finer feelings to develop themselves which
two years training had striven to pro
ducc. She pounced upon the note lik"
hawk. in fact. and took it up with trem-
bling hands. and with her big dark eyes
dilating.
MARY Hoiland" she exclaimed
She examined the letter attentivcly.
The handwriting was large and charhc-
tcrstic, and clear; the monogram on the
back of the envelope was NJ. H.; the post
mark was Worcester-there could he no
possibility of mistake.
why has she written?" exclaimed
Sarah; how dare she write to himY'
At the same moment a hand touched
her arm, and Reuben Culwick's voice
said politely;
When you have quite done with my
letter, Miss Easthell, | should feel oblig-
ed by its return"
Sarah Eastbell gave a little scream of
surprise. and turned to greet her cousin.
She extended both her hands toward
him, aud he did not check the impulse.
but received them in his own, and shook
them warmly, winding up proceedings by
taking his letter gently and delicately
from her.
Reuben very unceremoniously cleared
a chair of about half a hundredweight of
books, by fitting the volumes forward to
the floor, and Sarah sat down and looked
timidly and yet scrutinizingly toward
him. lie did not speak to her again; he
gave her time to collect her ideas, or to
observe the effect of two years change,
of two years trouble. and hard work and
worldly drudgery upon him. This gave
him time also to note how years had re-
ulOueItu SUPERINTENDENT ouTdu-lpW tit
gawky girl had grown into handsome
young woman. whom he could only iden-
tify with past forlornness by her large,
dark. wistful eyes. And she saw. with n
strange heart-sinking for which she could
not account, that there was startling
change in him who was facing her.
Il am very sorry" she said Mt last, and
IN spasmodic fashion.
IL am in my right place" he said, with
Il little laugh that was hardly natural,
ian individual totally undeserving of
your sympathy
why have you never written to me or
to Sedge Hill? Why have you kept away
from those who would have been always
very proud to help you"
That Is why have kept away. Miss
Observation-Disclosures | am proud enough to
be above all help. You must not mind
what | say; | am more irritable than |
used to be-l have grown to like my own
company, and to dislike visitors of all de-
grees. l am a sour kind Of fellow now,
who prides himself upon saying hard
things, and so the less you see of him the
better"
"You are not offended with me?" she
inquired softly. you take it as an insult
that my blind grandmother and | are in
your fathers house. and possess your
fathers property, hut we"
Il will not hear" cried Reuben, iercely
interrupting her when | knew that my
father kept his word with me, became
less of a philosopher than | had bargain
ed for-more human, more selfish, more
OF a coward-and | am only slowly get
ting over the sense of disappOintm
which followed the disinheritance. was
vain enough to think myself a hero. when
] was only poor money loving prig."
"l--I-hardly understand" said Sarah,
bewildered at this confession.
mo. no-probahly not he said quick
ly. land why should | trouble you about
my feelings. even II you did ?"
"a word would have saved you from
this cruel drudgery."
"A word to Mrs. Eastbell who--but
there, | have nothing to say against the
old lady. She is still well. and enjoys
her afiiuenceT''
NO" said Sarah. shaking her head
theoretically.
so have heard" responded RAuocn.
He glanced at the letter in his hand
aud Sarah said ut once:
why does my yrandmothers compan-
Ion write to your"
Out of pity" he added dryly.
How is it that she is acquainted with
your address, while | have had to scheme
aud search for it-why has she not told
me"
Il must leave that for Miss Holland to
answer for herself"
will you ever come To Sedge HilIy"
AS soon as | can afford it," he an
swered; when | have a decent coat on
my back, and sufficient spare cash TO nav
my railway fare to Worcester-and coat
and cash are both earned by the sweat of
my BROW will pay you q return visit. 4"
nave not done any good" she mur-
rod 1nf / II, A