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

big house at Sedge Hill While Mrs.
Eastbell slumbered, the inmates were
astir, and not a few Of them abroad, beat
Ing right and left for scraps Of informa-
ton, and falling In their object miscra-
bly,. Sarah Eastbell had disappeared,
leaving not trace By which she might
be followed.
AS Reuben rode to Worcester ne scan
ned the hedge rows, and the dry ditchea,
for q trace OF her; be turned Into yawn.
Ing lanes where all was Of an indistin.
guiShable darkness; he reined in his horse
hIty tiiiS>- TO listen TO the noises Of the
night--the shriek Of distant engine. toll
Ing on with its luggage through the coun-
try to some busting center; the rattle
OF the train, the rustling Of the trees.
the whirring of night bird In the long
grass OF the meadows, the yelping of dogs
In the farm house yards, as he dasned
by. He found his way at last to Wor.
cester, and went slowly, hopelessly along
its deserted streets In the direction az
the police station.
1t was seven In the morning when he
was at Sedge Hill again. He rode back
IN hot haste, as II something unforeseen
were to be thwarted by his quick return
and he was prepared for evil tidings, as
ne passed Into the hall and found Miss
Holland, pale as he had seen her last,
awaiting him with eager eyes.
What news-what has happened since
l have been awayT he exclaimed.
Nothing has happened" answered
Mary Holland; "and you? Have Won
heard or seen---"
There l. not trace Of her."
he sat before the fire where his cousin
sarah was surprised by her sister-in-law,
and endeavored from his bewIIdered brain
to shape ont a scheme for her discovery.
when the maid Hartley entered with
breakfast on little tray, and set II down
on coffee table at his side.
There was a letter lying on the tray.
addressed to himself. The superscription
was In a strange hand, fine bold hand.
writing, characterized by too many flour
ishes to be wholly satisfactory, and be
took up the letter curiously, broke the
seal and read the following epistle:
"Sir-After your discourteous behavior
OK yesterday evening, cannot, with sat.
isfaction to myself, remain a guest In
your aunt's establishment. l feel com.
PEELED to withdraw from position which
II Is Incompatible with my dignity To re-
tain. have intrusted Mr.. Thomas East.
bell with my kind regards to his grand
mother, to whose hospitality and invaria.
BILE kindness I am forever deeply indebt.
ed My servant will call for my violin
In the course Of next week. l beg 10 rs
main, sir, your obedient servant,
edward PETERSON"
There was deep furrow on the brow
of Reuben Culwick when he had finish.
ed the perusal Of this letter.
why was this man allowed to leave
the housef" he asked. HE who call.
himself Captain Peterson"
II didn't know that he was gone, sir
Not that / could have stopped him, Mr.
Culwick, as all the servants were away
when saw him last"
when was thatf"
"At FIVE o'clock this morning. He wal
talking to Miss Holland-here, JUS
where stand, sir-and think that the,
were having few words. / don't know
| AOE ceEIdln' Out Inlnk SO,
"You suspected them?" said Reubci
quickly.
"N-no, sir, l don't say that" was tn
quick answer, as the woman fiinched be
fore his steady gaze; ''but was curious
of course. It's all in such a muddle, sir
just now, and Miss Hollands very kind
she's been always very kind to all of US
but l wanted to hear what they had t
say, because poor Miss Sarah was angr
at those two being together in the gardel
last night"
"Those two-which twoT
'Miss Holland and the Captain"
Sarah was angry" repeated Reube
with whomT
with Miss Holland, just before yo
came. She said she couldn't trust hel
I heard that as l was passing with M
mistress cruel, quite by accident"
"That will do" said Reuben, moodilN
don't say any more. will wait fc
Miss Holland"
Ito be continued.l