The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-04-07
CHAPTER XIX.


The win Of Sarah Eastbell was com
pleted, and Hartley, the maid, and a
second servant were introduced into the
room to witness the old lady's effort at q
signature
TITS good thing done, after ALL
muttered Mrs. Eastbell an she lay down
wearily.
TITS brief and unlawyer-like," said
Reuben, contemplating the win, "but
think II sets forth your intentions clearly,
aunt. What shall | do with itT
Lock II In that iron box, the key Is
under my pillow" said Mrs Eastbell.
Reuben found the key, and locked up
the will, restoring the key to Its place
beneath his aunt's head.
1t had been day Of more than ordl-
nary fatigue and excitement to Mrs.
Eastbell, and sha was tired out; sleep
was life to woman Of her age, and he
would not trouble her again concerning
the granddaughter, or ask her any aues-
tlons respecting the engagement. There
would be time enough tomorrow 20 con-
slider that--and Sarah was waiting for
him.
Reuben went downstairs thoughtfuily.
He had almost resolved 20 proceed to the
gallery In the hrst place, but the tempta,
tlon was too strong to seek out his second
cousin, who would surely be in the draw
Ing room awaiting him, He had great
deal to tell her now, and little to ex-
plain concerning bis past mlaonthropy,
which had grown more strongly develop
ed as she at last seemed to fade awny
more completely from him. A real hero
Inc had his Second-cousin Sarah proved
herself to be; he wished that he had been
more Of hero to match, that he had
more bravely endured the inevitable. She
did not know yet what an obstinate and
bad-tempered man he was, and how he
had quarreled with everybody In turn
after his fathers death. He went into
the drawing room full Of these odd reso-
lutions, and found Mary Holland there.
"Where Is Sarahf" he asked, after a
glance round the room had assured him
Of the absence Of his second-cousin,
'EarahT said Miss Holland, sprInginE
20 her feet. HAS she not been with you
In Mrs. Eastbell's roomf"
"She left II half an hour since"
"Wait an instant"
Mary Holland left the room; and Rer-
ben remained. with a new perpexlty TO
battle with, and rising doubts and fears
to beat down.
Mary Holland entered the room again,
and was standing at the door, paleF
and more affected woman than when be
had aaoc hos a favs .,.fn.,kn. .t...
"Gonel" she said at last.
"What do you meanf'
"That--that Sarah Eastbell Is not In |
che house," explained Mary.
'It can't be truer' calculated Reuben.
! "stay, lot me think still. For heav- |
ems sake give distracted woman time
TO thinkw
Reuben, In the midst Of his excitement.
remembered afterward that the demeanor
OF Mary Holland aroused In him for an
instant a half-wondering interest, AZ In
q dream Of vague beliefs and startling In
consistencies; and then the trouble Of
Earah's absence took away all thought Of
everything else.
"Her brother and the man he brought
with him." said Reuben, "where are
theyT
"They are In the gallery still; they
could not have left the room without my
being warned"
I They are In this plot, II plot there
can be-" said Reuben.
Mary Holland ran to the window and
looked back at Reuben.
"0pen" she cried
Reuben and Mary Holland stepped in
to the garden, and looked around them.
IL was a dark, dry night, with the stars
hidden now, and the wind soughing
through the larches on the hillside with
such plaintiye meanings that Reuben
strove to catch the accents of his cous.
ms voice amidst them.
1--WE shall find her In the garden" said |
Reuben assuringly, as he strode along |
the paths, with which he was acqualnt- !
I'd, and directed Mary Holland In diff /
ferent direction. When they met again i
quarter Of an hour had passed, and they
we're no nearer the discovery Of Sarah n
sastbell. She had vanished away COM {
'letely, as by miracle; and Reuben Il
TODD discounted by the drawing room g
window. 4
This Is beyond all guessing at he n
aid, with a half groan. ii
The window Of the picture gallery is Il
losed and barred" said Mary Holland, o.
but they are there STILL" Il
Il will see them at once" said Reuben; 81
meanwhile send out the servants TO in
arch the country. There has been foul b!
ay here." &C