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

The will of Sarah Eastbell was com
pleted. aud Hartley, the maid, and q
second servant were introduced into the
room to witness the old lady's effort at
signature.
tits good thing done, after ell"
muttered Mrs. Eastbell as she lay down
wearlly.
tits brief and unlawyer-like." said
Reuben, contemplating the will, "but !
think II sets forth your intentions clearly,
aunt. What shall do with itT
Lock it In that iron box; the key Is
under my pillow" said Mrs. Bastbell.
Reuben found the key, and locked mp
the will, restoring the key to Its place
beneath his aunt's head.
II had been a day Of more than ordi-
nary fatigue and excitement to Mrs.
Eastbell, and she was tired out; sleep
was life to a woman Of her age, and he
would not trouble her again concerning
the granddaughter, or ask her any ques-
tions respecting the engagement. There
would be time enough tomorrow to con-
slider that-and Sarah was waiting for
him.
Reuben went downstairs thoushtfiiiy.
He had almost resolved to proceed to the
gallery In the first place, but the tempta-
ton 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 his past misonthropy,
which had grown more strongly develop
cd as she at last seemed to fade away
more completely from him. A real hero
Inc had his Second-cousln Sarah proved
herself to be; he wished that he had been
more Of a 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 SarahT' he asked, after a
glance round the room had assured him
of the absence of his second-cousin.
"SaraIif" said Miss Holland, springlnG
to her feet. HAS she not been with you
in Mrs. Eastbell's room?"
"She left 1t half an hour SINCE"
"Wait an instant"
Mary Holland left the room; and Reu
ben remained, with a new perplexity tC
battle with, and rising doubts and fears
to beat down.
Mary Holland entered the room again
and was standing ut the door, palel
and more affected woman than when h
had seen her few minutes since.
"Gone'' she said at last.
"What do you meanf"
"That-that Sarah Eastbell is not Il
the house," explained Mary.
'Tt can't be truel' calculated Reuben
"Stay, let me think still. For heav
ems sake give distracted woman tint
to thinkg
Reuben. In the midst Of his excitement
remembered afterward that the demeano
of Mary Holland aroused In him for al
instant q half-wondering interest, as II
a dream Of vague beliefs and startling in
consistencies; and then the trouble o
Sarah's absence took away all thought o
everything else.
"Her brother and the man he brough
with him." said Reuben, "where ar
i theyT
"They are In the gallery still; the
could not have left the room without m
being warned"
"They are in this plot, If plot ther
can be-" said Reuben.
Mary Holland ran to the window Gn
looked back at Reuben,
"Open" she cried.
Reuben and Mary Holland stepped II
to the garden, and looked around then
1t was a dark, dry night, with the star
hidden now, and the wind soughln
through the larches on the hillside wit
such plaintive meanings that Reube
! strove to catch the accents of his couI
! In's voice amidst them.
1--WE shall find her in the garden" sal
Reuben assuringly, as he strobe alon
the paths with which he was acquain