Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-03-04
CHAPTER XII.

The reputed wealth of Simon Culwick
of Sedge Hill, Worcester. his position in
the county or his opinion of himself.
did not exercise any restraint upon the
peculiarities of the young woman who
confronted him; who leaned across the ta-
BILE, and unceremoniously snatched from
his hands the painting that she had plac-
ed between them There was no respect
for persons in ths mind of Lucy Jennings,
especially when her blood was up.
"What do you mean by nothing of the
sort?' she exclaimed, and at the omiuous
flashing of her eyes Simon Culwick's low
er jaw dropped; haven't you come in all
humility, and kindness, and Christian
charity to this house?''
Certainly not" said Mr.. Culwick,
making a stand for it.
'Sit down, please, while I talk to you,
said Lucy very feverishly, and at the
young woman's excitement Mr.. Culwick
Glared in mute amazement. Have you
ever thought what is to become of you,
old man, when you are closer to the grave
than you are now? When you are dying,
and all your pride and wealth are not
worth that" she continued, with a quick
snap of her fingers so close to his face
that he WINGED and drew back his head
with alacrity.
"You-you wretched woman" cried
Mr.. Culwick, finding breath to reply, and
clutching the arms of the chair with both
hands, and shaking them in his rage,
''how dare you speak to me? Do you
know that--that 1 have never been talk
ed to in this way in my life-that this
is an unwarrantable liberty from one in
your position?"
Il
Lucy Jennings; Il wouldn't change my
position for yours for twice your money
for fifty times all that you have hoard
ed together, and hardened your soul with
What are you but selfish old sinner.
who broke his wife's heart, and turned
an only son out of doors, and who must
stand before his God-aye. sooner than
he thinks, perhaps" she added, with an
angry bang upon the table that shook
the whole house, and took Mr.. Jennings
downstairs with a headlong plunge, un-
der the impression that his stock had ex-
ploded-''to answer for both crimes?"
"Look here" shouted Simon Culwick,
81 have had enough of this"
You will hear me out" said Lucy
backing against the door with her chair,
as he rose from his seat; "you have come
of your own free will to this house, where
no one is likely to be afraid of you. You
are here boasting of your want of affec
ton, Dragging of the possibility of wound
ing one afresh whose life you have al
ready darkened, and 1 will tell you what
is to become of you hereafter"
"You are fanatic. You're raving
mad" said Simon Culwick, dropping into
his seat again.
Il have no more to say" she exclaim-
ed. Nov think of it, and do your duty,
as have done mine, before it is too late"
There was a slamming of the door, and
he opened his eyes to find that his tor
mentor had gone. He rose at once, and
took his hat.
"What a horrible creature" he NUT
tered; Il will not stop another moment"
He was half way toward the door when
the picture attracted his attention again,
and he stopped. 1t was his ruling pas
sion; success in business, present power,
future happiness, were not upon his mind
now in any great degree.
He went back to the picture, and knit
ted his brows at it, a man might do
intently puzzled with problem of more
than ordinary difficulty; he took it to the
window; he placed it on the table, and
hid himself in the curtain folds, behind
the light to gaze at it; he put his hat en-
the floor, and sat down with the picture
in front of him. and began rubbing it
carefully with the palm of his hand :;
finally he thrust his hands into his pock-
cts. and stared ut it, forgetful of time
and place. and of the main object of his
visit. He was a man possessed of one
idea.
There were feet ascending the stairs
now. lightly and springily. There was
a voice he should have recollected as be-
longing to old days. 1t was only when
the handle turned sharply and the door
opened, that he awoke to the conscious
ness of where he was. and what iignre
had come into the room from the world
that was so different to his own.
Father" said Reuben Culwick. us he
advanced toward him. You have come
to see me. and am glad"
You haven't much to be glad about
at present replied the father; Il was
In the neighborhood. and | thought that
l would call and see where you were lodg-
ing. and what you We're doing. l haven't
come from Worcester expressly to see
you"
1T does not matter; pray don't apollo
gize." said Reuben lightly, as he took
MS seat at tne desk, Opeueu II, ana glanc-
ed careessly at the letters and papers
which had arrived.
Il have been thinking great deal
about you lately; you have bothered ne."
"Indeed.'
You came to Sedse Hill-Sou were
the first to write to me-the first to make
advances. And although calling on 1ne
only proved that you were as obstinate
as ever-that we should never get on"
he continued-"still l accepted it as an
apology. And it struck me that there
was some amount of respect for me in
your heart. possibly some regret for all
that has parted u.s.
"Well?"
You remember what we quarreled
about?'
Perfectly"
Il wanted you to marry Miss Hol-
land"
Yes"
THAT is the girl whom you saw at nv