Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-04-22
CHAPTER XXI.

1S LlIne IuaI we lOllOW luc lOEluucS
of Second-cousin Sarah, whom we left
with her shabby sister-in-law in the
grounds of Sedge Hill. Taken off her
guard by Mrs. Thomas EastbelPs sudden
appearance, disturbed by the events of
the night, and ever conscious of the dan
ger which the presence of the two in
truders in her aunt's house foreshadowed,
she followed the woman in good faith
some distance along the garden paths
and in the direction of the high road.
1--WE will go no further" she said; "tell
me what 1 have to fear from your h,ls-
band and Peterson, and 1 will reward you
handsomely"
"Listen then as well as you can.
amt a-going to speak loud for anybody"
81 am listening"
Sarah Eastbell inclined her head more
closely to the woman, who began whis-
pering about her husband in a rambling
fashion that was difficult to follow, un-
til she went suddenly back three steps, to
Sarah's surprise, and stood gazing at
her, or at something near her.
What is it?" exclaimed Sarah; what
There was no opportunity to say more,
to scream, or to struggle. Two strong
arms closed round her, and cloth, wet
and sickly with drugs, was pressed to
her mouth and nostrils by a merciless
hand, that seemed to snatch her at once
from active life to oblivion.
When she came back to consciousness
it was to a life apart from Sedge Hill,
and those who loved her there. She was
lying on a bed, with Sophy Eastbell doz-
ing by the side Of a scantily furnished
fire. There was a narrow window in the
side of the room, with some boards nail
OIL fo ho liph of srlut-
tering candle from betraying itself to the
night.
Suddenly Sophy woke up, and gave
nervous jump in her chair at finding her
sister-in-law crouched upon the bed, with
her great dark eyes glaring at her.
where have you brought me? Why
am in this dreadful placer Sarah ask
ed in an eager voice.
you've come round, have your said
Sophy. "Well, I am glad of that. Blest
If didn't think they'd overdone it with
their klory-what's-i and sent you
bang off afore they meant it."
Sarah Eastbell was sitting at the edge
of the bed now, regarding her jailer
with eager attention. She was scarcely
back from dreamland yet.
"Why have 1 been brought here?" she
asked less patiently.
no 'casion for hurry, or furry. Take
1t cool. You're safe enuf."
Sarah Eastbell was standing at the
door of the room when she had recovered
herself. 1t was locked, as she had sus-
pected.
'It's no use your thinking of getting
out, Sally" said Toms wife; don't build
on that, or harm will happen to you.
That's certain"
do you think I am the weak girl
whom you remember last? said Sarah,
walking from the door to the woman's
side, and clutching her tightly by the
waist, cor that am to be frightened by
this trick of yours, and of the wretches
who have assisted you? Do you know in
what peril you have put yourselfY'
"Oh, yes, we all know; it's all been
thought. on" said the woman ironically.
Were of the don't care sort, and have
CHANGED it. You can't say it wasn't we'll
done, Sally"
"Give me the key of the door, or you
will find me the stronger woman of the
two!" cried Sarah.
Don't ketch hold of my wrist like
that" cried her sister-in-law, cor you'll
be sorry if 1 go away, or if any one
downstairs comes up instead of me, be-
cause you are too violent for my COM
pany. You can't behave like a lady. for
all your fine flash silk. 1 have only to
shreek out. and there are three men be-
low who don't stand nonsense sich as
yourn."
Sarah Eastbell released her hold. Yes.
she was in danger, and must be eau
tious. They who brought her to this
den had risked great deal in entrapping
her, and would risk more rather than
allow her to escape. She must be pru-
dent and on her guard, not defiant and
aggressive.
II amt got no key, if you must know"
said Sophy, as she returned to her chair
and sat down; this is my room, and
we're both locked in together. I'm to
take charge of you, that's all, my gal
and think yourself lucky it's me-"
What place is tt" Sarah asked again.
"a place of bis'ness," was the enigmat-
ic answer.
"Coiners-the old gang from Potter's
Court-the Petersons," cried Sarah.
Mrs Eastbell did not answer. She
warmed her thin hands at the fire, and q
convenient cough prevented all possibil-
ity of reply. She was a prudent woman,
and not likely to commit herself and her
friends by responding to leading ques-
tions of this character.
The spiriting away of a young lady
from home without her consent, and with
out leaving clue wherewith to trace her.
Is no light feat in the nineteenth GEN.
tury, and Mrs. Thomas Eastbell had
shown natural pride in the neatness of
the achievement. True, the house was
five or six miles from a quiet city, and
was desolate enough at all times, the
hour was late, the circumstances were
opportune, and how to profit by the riches
of old Mrs. Eastbell and her granddaugh-
ter had been the study of six months, but
still Mrs. Thomas Eastbell had some
thing to take credit for. 1t was a bold
stroke carried out by desperate men, and
1t had succeeded where a more timid
line of policy would have assuredly fail
ed.
1t was the boldest bit of business that
the Peterson gang had ever been engas-
ed in, and the Petersons had been en-
,yoyad npdor yarionS alioSoS in,