Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-05-13
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SPINSTER" LITTLE KATE HRDY." e
CHAPTER XXVI-{Continued.)
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CHAPTER XXVI.7Continued.
This was the man whom she had seen
at her fathers house, who had lodged
with them at the button factory, and OF
whom she had caught glimpse even at
Sedge Hill Tots and John Jennings
were in the main thoroughfare of Hol-
borne, both interested in the shops, when
he touched Tots on the arm.
"Don't you know meY he asked in a
husky voice.
Tots gave a little scream. and chung
more closely to John Jennings.
"Oh! don't let him take me away"
she cried at once.
81 don't want to take you away, Bes-
sie-I only want to ask you how you
are, after all these MONTHS" said Thomas
Eastbell. offering very dirty hand TO
the child to shake.
"Come, you let her alone, will your"
said John Jennings sharply. John did
not admire the looks of the man who had
forced himself upon the notice of Reu-
ben's adopted child; John held Tots In
trust, and was watchful of his charge.
The man before him was forlorn speci-
men of humanity, ragged and dirty. john
did not know Thomas Eastbell at first
sight, but he was a judge of disreputa-
UlllIy-uc Hdu oeSu co AuuSh Va ~ A'A
Hope street.-the had become SO disreput-
able himself.
ST have as much right to the child as
you have" said Tom in a surly tone,
'.or as your master has, for the matter
of that. The childs shtole, and you
know it,
81 don't know it."
Sand its father will come to claim it
precious quick, too-see if he don't-and
you can tell Mr.. Culwick, too, direckly
you get home. Say Tom Eastbell told
him so-or Vizzobini. You ought to
know Vizzobini of the Saxe-Gotha."
"You are Thomas Eastbell, thenT'
eyes, and I don't care who knows it.
You can give me in charge If you like
say for coming last year, shall do it
myself in an hour or two, if you don't
Il hate the workus, and it's awful cold
outside the prison. Where's Sally?"
"Your sister, do you meanT
eyes, of course do," answered Tim;
''she amt at Sedge Hill"
"Never mind where she is"
"Oh, I don't mind. She won't help
me-I'm her only brother, and starving
in the streets. But you can take my
compliments to her, Mr.. Jennings, and
I'm to be heard of at the 'Magpie.'"
reuben WIS ndEU Ut Trumpet WOTh
when John Jennings and Tots arrived
home with the news of their meeting
with Thomas Eastbell. He was working
against time somewhat, but he set his
pen aside to listen to John jennings
recital and Tots scared interpretations.
paying particular attention to Mr.. Nast-
bells information that the child would
be fetched away presently by her father.
"And he said that Sarah might hear
of him at the sMagpieT"
EYES," answered John Jennings.
"John," he said suddenly, "you must
take letter to Sarah at once"
every we'll, Mr.. Reuben"
"Don't say anything of your meeting
with her brother"
'"Trust me for that" said John know
ingly.
''She is not strong enough for any fresh
trouble" said Reuben, as he drew a sheet
of note paper toward him and wrote very
reluctantly an excuse for not being able
to see her as he had promised. He alleg
ed no reason-he would explain when he
saw her, he said-and he re-read the
letter somewhat critically after he had
finished the writing Of it. 1t was a
brief epistle; he should see her to-mor-
row, he hoped, and that would be time
enough for explanation of his breach of
promise. Sarah trusted him implicitly,
and would know that only business of
Importance could keep him from her. She
did not expect a long letter from him.
and heap of reasons, at that busy hour
Of the day. Let the letter go.
In the evening, somewhat late, Reuben
Culwick, not too fashionably attired. was
at the "Magpie." 1t was eight o'clock
or later, when Thomas Eastbell's pock-
marked coutnenance peered round one of
the swing doors. The Maggie" was
Toms forlorn hope. He had sent a
message to his sister, and she might at
tend to 1t. Who knows? He caught
sight of Reuben Culwick, and his first
impulse was to back into the street. Then
he wavsred; and while he was hesitating
Reuben came from the public house and
confronted him.
"You need not run away, Tom East
bell," said Reuben.
II haven't done you any HARM" he
returned: Il haven't done nobody any
harm-never. All that you have heard
about me has been a pack of lies. I've
been as honest as l could be- and this
is what comes of it. I'm hard up-I'm
starving, Mr.. Culwick, l haven't tasted
food to-day"
"Where are your friends?
''They turned me out of their house.
They said l was a blundering fool. One
of them kicked me, last time saw him."
1.-The Captain?'
Tom Eastbell laughed sardonically.
"No, he can't kick. He broke both
his legs in the country, jumping from a
window of the button factory to get out
of the way of the police. He can only
swear and cuss ME now"
rs this Edward Peterson the father
of the little girl you met this morningT"
He says he is. He gave me money
to take care of her altogether. But it
wasn't enough. SO 1 lost her." said Tom
coolly-"or rather" he added, interpret
ing Reuben's look of disgust correctly,
my old woman lost her. 1t was her
fault. She never had a mite of feeling
In her for anybody save herself"
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