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

NO, nor exclaimed Mary d0iland.
} "He said--he promised"
"Who promised3" asked Reuben quick
; ly.
: "Sarah's brother" answered Mary, af-
J ter moments silence.
"Well--promised what? said Reuben
fiercely
''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 in that vaga-
bond, Tom Eastbell2 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
ed the handle sharply and entered.
The two men were there. In the man
lolling In the armchair there was no difi-
Guilty In identifying Thomas Eastbell;
but be 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. 1t was at him
that Reuben gazed. distrusting him more
at first sight than Thomas Eastbell.
Il am Reuben Culwick," said our hero
sternly looking from one TO the other.
Il don't bear you III will, 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 chaff we had to-
gether, you stood by me like q trump, and
III shake hands with you, IL 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
Culwlck.
Thomas Eastbell's lower Jaw dropped
at Mr. Culwick's vehemence, and his som
blance of astonishment was admirably
feigned, unless he was astonished In real
earnest. Captain Peterson sat down with
his hands upon his knees, In the attitude
Of one who anticipated a narrative of
great interest to follow.
where Sarah Eastbell isw said Pc |
terson; why do you put such an extra |
ordinary question to us, sir, and accom-
panied by such threat as the jail?"
"She Ia not In the house, and you two |
know where she has gone"
miss Eastbel 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 house |
sincef There must be some mistake, Mr.. |
Culwick, and, mistake or not, you will |
excuse me for protesting against your
manner Of addressing Mrs. Eastbelrs |
guests"
Captain Peterson spoke with q falter-
ing voice, and with considerable warmth,
as man might do whose feelings bad |
been unnecessarily wounded, and Reuben |
Culwick regarded him with grayer inter-
est Here was a being to be wary of, If |
this were acting.
MAY ! inquire your namer said Iaeu-
ben.
MY name ls Peterson, sir-Captain
Peterson, Of the merchant service n
friend Of Thomas Eastbell's, and II not
an old friend, still one who does not feel |
disposed to allow him to be browbeaten
without a word of protest."
Peterson" muttered Reuben, half |
aloud. The name was wholly unfamiliar
to him---it had not been mentioned on
that night In Potter's Court, and only
some days afterward by Lucy Jennings,
when Il had not fingered In his memory.
Captain Peterson's dark eyes peered from
under his brows at Mr.. Culwick as he re-
peated his name In low tone, and there
was the faintest smile Of satisfaction
iickering over bis fresh-colored face at
the discontinue expressed on Reuben's.
"You both deny all knowledge Of my
cousins disappearancef said Reuben.
1--WE do" said Peterson, with grave DO
likeness; and Tom took his oath upon 1t
at once, by way of adding force to his
denial. And now, sir, perhaps you will
tell us what has happened"
"And relieve a bsother's anxiety" add.
ed Tom. "She's the only sister that |
have got in the world, and we have al.
ways been very fond of one another"
"You overdo your anxiety" said Reu.
ben, dryly, "and am still suspicious of
you. Sarah Eastbell has disappeared
suddenly from this house--within the
last halfhour-and you are the men of
whom she has been In fear. To that fact |
] swear before a magistrate tomorrow.
Tomorrow the police will search the
house and grounds for traces Of her.
telegraph tomorrow to Scotland Yard
for one Of Its ablest officers to meet us
here"
Thomas Eastbell was heard to mutter
a malediction of the most violent kind
upon his second-cousin's promptltudo but
his friend turned quickly to him, and
said; In
Don't give way. Thomas. Don't let :
your sensibilities get the better Of you.
and lower your character before this man I,
or many threats. You have been unfor-
tunate, In your early days--you have had
the frankness to confess II TO me- and y
the generosity to atone for II to others v
but your later life Is without stain or
blemish. Let the police come; you can =
lace them In your aunt's house-where :
his gentleman Is more an intruder than
blush upon your hon v
'st cheek" n
AT your peril be Il, IL she Is not
ound," said Reuben; then he strode from | d
he room, doubtful in his own heart Of
hese mems completely with the mystery -
Il Sarah Eastbelrs disappearance, :
As the door closed, Tom leaped TO his u
eet and went across to his friend whom n
he clutched by the shoulder nervously. p
HAS she really gomez"
YES" said Ned, coolly; fortune has n
'avored us, and she has left your grand. r.
Mothers establishment"
There must be no harm done to her." q y
Tom said, trembling; II won't have her u
lurt, swear"
You left all 10 me, Tom Eastbell," n
aid Captain Peterson "it's too late to r;
omplain, whatever happens"
I'm puNEp Wv A