The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-03-19
CHAPTER NJ.

did not know even the man WIN the
big beard who leaned over the bedside
and called her by her name.
The crisis had come. and Sarah East
bcll had battle to fight with brain fever
or with strange delirium which was
akin to it, When she came back To per
self. she lay ms pOwcrless as grandmother
Eastbell at st Oswaid's. of whom she
first thought, along with the heeting tan
cy that she was in one of the wings oi
the olmshouses and that the old woman
was not far away. fortnight had pass
ed then. and the face of the nurse had
almost died out Of her memory.
"How-is-grandmot she asked
with difficulty, and pausing at each word.
"She is we'll
will $500 you --tell-hcr--that--l'lh--
better. plenseT'
Yes"
Sarah Eastbell remained satisfied with
the promise, and was silent for awhile.
She slept a great deal that day and the
next. and ate hut little. and II was doubt
ful whether the complete prostratlon
which followed would not terminate the
odd life of Second cousin Sarah.
The woman who attended upon her,
end who she began TO recollect was the
hreworkers-makers sister. was kinier
than abe had ever been and watched
her with great gravity of interest as she
lowered on the horder-land of life and
death.
Lucy talked to her also with a strange
rarncstness of those divine truths which
are not to be dwet upon in the pages Of
story book. and Surah EastbelI listen
ed with reverence.
Reuben Cuiwick advanced on tiptoe
Into the room, and walked to the bedside
OF his cousin whose face frightened at
the sight Of him. She was very weak,
aud could not reach her hand toward
him. but there was faint smile of wei
come on her wan face
well. Sarah--better. hope?" he
sHd, in the cheeriest voice he could as
sumo. "Oh, yes, you are" said Reuben.
confidently; you have got your wits
back. was at Worcester yesterday If
tcrnoon."
And saw grandmother"
II told her that you were staying at
Hope Lodge with me aud the .Ienningses,
for change Of air: that you had not been
very well. but that | should bring you
down to Worcester shortly | haven't
quite done with nay news yet. Sarah. do
you remember that bad sovereign Tom
asked you TO change ut the grocer's for
him2'
"Ah. yes"
We'll. have been to the grocers;
have stated the matter with lucidity aud
II, I al thx
GERS feelings: | have made him shed
tears over his own sugar; and he says
that rather than prosecute. after my gen
tlcmanly explanation, he'll see the au-
thorities beaten"
II am very grateful for the trouble
that you have taken" said Sarah, land
| feel very happy now"
Then I'll leave you with those sensH-
tons to get strong upon
He went down stairs. where was john
Jennings up to his eyes in powder. and
colored fire. and lengths" the picture IF
y busy man.
Where's Tots" he asked.
"She doesn't go into the bnck room for
fear of disturbing your cousin. Rut
she plays In your apartments. aud Lucy
NJ to mischief"
SHE is not in my room" said Reuben.
Perhaps she is in mine"
Go and see said Reuben. perc,np-
tariy.
lie took turn round the back gar,,n
then walked to the front of the house
and stood looking up and down the street
With grave earnesiness Presently .iohn
aud his sister came ont together. white
aud scared, aud joined him on the pave
ment.
She's gone! YOU have lost her" he
exclaimed
"lt's-it's very strange said John
hut we can't hud her anywhere"
Reuben did not wait to hear any more.
hut ran at his utmost speed to the end of
the street in the hope of overtakns the
little feet that he thought might have
stTaYed in the direction of the market
gardens where he had been accustomed
10 take her. But there was no sign of
his adopted girl and We may say mt once
that Reuben never saw her in Hope street
again. AS suddenly as she had crossed
his life. bettering and Frightening il as
by strange influence for good, So sud
denly dld she pass away. leaving not a
trace behind by which To follow her.
When he came back Ia Hope Lodge.
hatfied and heart-sick when To all the i'm.
4uiries which he made there was only
Que answer returned. that no Que had
seen poor Tots, the stern consciousness
came TO him that he had lost her-that
the little daughter, friend. companion.
would never again I've as sunshine to his
home.
La three weeks time Reuben CuIwick
had learned to despair He did not know
how much he had loved the child till the
house was destitute of her presence, and
the little chair stood empty in the corner
and he could only look at it through his
tears. Sometimes he wished that she
had died. and that he had seen her buried
rather than have lost her rims anil 4 !