Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1904-04-07


a quarter Of an hour had passed, aud they
were no nearer the discovery Of Sarah
Eastbell She had vanished away COM
pletely, as by a miracle; and Reuben
stood discounted by the drawing room
window.
"This Is beyond all guessing at,, he
said, with half groan.
'"The window Of the picture gallery Is
closed and barred" said Mary Holland,
"but they are there still"
Il 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 sald-he promised"
who promisedf" asked Reuben quick
ly.
''Sarah's brother" answered Mary, nf-
ter n moments silence.
"Well-promised whatT' said Reuben
hercely.
"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 La 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 corri-
dor toward the picture gallery. He turn
cd the handle sharply and entered.
The two men were there. In the rian
lolllng In the armchair there was no din
Guilty in identifying Thomas Eastbell
but he who bent closely, and In near
sighted fashion, over a music book prop
ped against the lamp. was a stranger be
had never met before. II was at him
that Reuben gazed, distrusting him more
at first sight than Thomas Eastbell.
II am Reuben Culwick," said our hero
sternly, looking from one to the other.
II don't bear you III win, mind" said
Tom; "when was In trouble once In Pot
ter's Court, and the police came, and
you might have made mischief out Of a
little bit Of innersent chaf we had to-
gesher, you stood by me like trump. and
I'll shake hands with you, II you ask
me, Just for my sisters sake"
(Which Of you two men will save him
self from Jail by telling me where Sarah
Eastbell isT thundered forth Reuben
Culwick.
Thomas Eastbell's lower jaw dropped
at Mr.. Culwick's vehemence, and his sem
blance Of astonishment was admirably
ftIgned, unless he was astonished In rea
earnest. Captain Peterson sat down with
his hands upon his knees, In the attitude
of one who anticipated narrative oi
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 a threat as the jail?"
''She Ia not In the house, and you tive
know where she has gone"
"Miss Eastbell was in the drawing
room quarter Of an hour ago, when
stepped In for my violin," said Peter
son; "surely she has not left the hous'
slncel There must be some mistake, Mr.
Culwick, and, mistake or not, you will
excuse me for protesting against YOU
manner of addressing Mrs. Eastbell'i
guests"
Captain Peterson spoke with q falter
ing voice, and with considerable warmth
as a man might do whose feelings ba'
! been unnecessarily wounded, and Reubel
/ Culwick regarded him with graver inter
est. Here was being to be wary Of, l
this were acting,
MAY inquire your name?" said Reu
ben.
my name is Peterson, sir-Captnil
Peterson, Of the merchant service -
friend Of Thomas Eastbell's, and If no
an old friend, still one who does not fee
disposed to allow him to be browbeatel
without word Of protest"
Peterson" muttered Reuben, hal
aloud. The name was wholly unfamilia
to hint had not been mentioned o
that night in Potter's Court, and onl
some days afterward by Lucy Jenning'
when 1t had not fingered In his memory
Captain Peterson's dark eyes peered fror
under his brows at Mr.. Culwick, as he r,
peated his name In a low tone, and ther
was the faintest smile Of satisfactlo
flickering over his fresh-colored face Q
the discontinue expressed on Reuben's.
"You both deny all knowledge Of m
cousins disappearancef said Reuben.
1--WE do" said Peterson, with grave pt
liteness; and Tom took his oath upon
at once, by way of adding force to h
denial. "And now, sir, perhaps you vi
tell US what has happened"
sand relieve brothers anxiety" ado
ed Tom. "She's the only sister that
have got In the world, and we have a
ways been very fond of one another"
"You overdo your anxiety" said Re-
ben, dryly, "and I am still suspicious {
you. Sarah Eastbell has disappeare
suddenly from this house-within Il
last half-hour-and you are the men
whom she has been In fear. To that fa
/ swear before a magistrate tomorrow
Tomorrow the police will search Il
house and grounds for traces Of her,
telegraph tomorrow to Scotland YaI
for one of its ablest officers to meet I
here"
Thomas Eastbell was heard to mutt
malediction of the most violent XII
upon his second-cousin's promptltude, b
{ his friend turned quickly to him, al
said:
Don't give way, Thomas. Don't
your senSlDlnIlen get tne Ootter OI W
and lower your character before this mi
? of many threats. You have been unfc
: tunate, In your early days-you have HI
the frankness to confess 1t to me, al
9 the generosity to atone for It to others
but your later life Is without stain
| blemish. Let the police comet you G.
face them in your aunt's house
this gentleman is more an intruder tn
: yourself-wihout blush upon your he
/. est cheek"
S "At your peril be It, If she is n
2 found" said Reuben; then he strode frc
the room, doubtful In his own heart
n these mems completely with the myste
j. of Sarah Eastbell's disappearance.
AS the door closed, Tom leaped to !
d feet and went across to his friend, who
& he clutched by the shoulder nervously,
: HAS she really goneT