The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-01-28
CHAPTER V.

Reuben Culwick occupied the first floor
of Hope Lodge, and the gentleman who
rented Hope Lodge and to whom Reuben
paid the modest sum of three shillings
and sixpence weekly, had not hidden his
light under bushel, and had extingulsh-
ed Reubens claim to locality by extern
sive advertising over his house front,
The name of Jennings" in large white
white capitals on crimson ground, was
the sky line of the edifce, and another
board, with a Jennings" of somewhat
more moderate proportions, had been
fastened between the windows of the first
and second floors, while Jennings, Pyro-
technic Artist" in blue and yellow, by
way of variety of coloring, was inscribed
over a dingy shop front. On the door
also had been painted Jennings, Fire
work Maker to the Court" and over the
door was plaster coat-of-arms, signiii-
cant Of the royal patronage which the
family legend asserted had been once
vouchsafed to an extinct Jennings who
had been blown to atoms one Guy
Fawkes season.
Mr.. Jennings was always waiting for
November, although he drove a little busi-
ness In cOored fires for minor theaters
at all times of the year. On the night of
Reuben Culwick's return to London, he
was standing at his door, after his gen.
eral rule. But on that particular even
ing he was not waiting for November so
intently as for his lodger, Reuben Cul-
wick, who had said that he should be
back that evening Suddenly John Jen-
nings was joined in his watch by wom-
an as thin as he was, and as pale. She
put her hands suddenly, and possibly
heavily, on his shoulder, for Mr.. Jen-
nings WINGED and doubled up under the
pressure.
81 wish you wouldn't, Lucy" Mr.. Jen-
nings said, remOnstratively.
"Wish would not what, John?" asked
the newcomer on the scene.
"Take a person off his guard like that.
and scare him."
Have you grown a more nervous crea-
ture still, watching for what will never
come again?" said the woman, with
strange asperity of tone.
"What will never come again ?" repeat
ed her brother, in dismay. do you mean
that Mr.. Culwick will not come back,
then2 Bless my soul, how long have you
been thinking of thatY said Mr.. Jen-
nings; you didn't say so before-you
hadn't such a thought an hour ago. What
makes you get SO foolish an idea into your
head now|
He laughed in an odd, hysterical fash
ion, like a woman, as his greater interest
took him out of his languid position and
set him upright staring at his sister.
We'll, I've been thinking it over
what he is and what we are-and I'm
sure that he will be glad to be rid of us
altogether. He has only stopped here cut
of compliment all this while: but Won
can't see that so well as | can" she
added, fretfuly.
Il haven't tried to see it. I'll trust to
Reuben Culwick. He said that if he
didn't write he would be back here on
the second Tuesday in May, and back
he'll come like clockwork; although, mind
you--"
Go on, John-what am | to mind?"
asked his sister, gravely, as he paused.
Although, mind you," he continued,
"his coming back don't mean exactly that
good luck to him which stopping away
would, and wish him good luck-always
anyhow. But then we should have
heard from him; isn't he as truthful as
you sreT"
He may have missed a post" she an
swered, evasively-"have postponed tell
ing us humble folk Of the good fortune
that has come to him. Good news will
keep. you know"
There was a long pause after this,
broken at last by Mr.. Jennings saying;
You don't want him back, then.
LucyT