Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-03-11

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though there was a deepening of color in
| the cheeks, as Sarah Eastbell said eag-
erly:
s'What has become of Reuben Gull
wick?'
rs that the first question, next your
heart. then?'
yes" was the frank answer; "why
| shouldn't It be? You have seen him p
you will let me- know where he is?''
81 don't think that SHALL" said Lucy
gravely, considering the matter, "when
we were friends, it was his wish that you
should not know-what has become of
him."
when you were friends! You have
quarreled then?"
''It takes two to make quarrel" said
Lucy Jennings, sbut there was a bitter
parting between us, and I never care to
see him again.
II am sorry to hear this. Why does
he keep away from us? Has the loss of
his fathers money set him against those
who wish to help him? Has he altered
very much? He was SO good-hearted, so
good-tempered, SO affectionate a man."
He tried hard to be-and failed
When misfortune came-and it came
heavily to him, and in more shapes than
one-he gave up, as towards do"
"I1l not believe it," cried Sarah East
bell Indignantly; she was never a cow
ard, there was nothing in his nature to
make him one. He was the bravest and
best of menu
"In your idea of what is best and brav-
est, possibly" replied Miss Jennings, ''but
that man is a coward who turns his face
from heaven because trouble has come
to him-who grows rebellious, discomfort
ed, angry-who will not accept trial as
his due-who goes from bad to worse in
sheer defance-who believes in himself,
and his own miserable errors.'
But you must not think, Lucy, be-
cause he will not listen to your doctrine,
that he is altered for the worse If he
never was religious mani don't know,
I can't say whether he was or not-still
he was always kind and true. Tell Inc
where he is," said Sarah impatiently;
she is in distress, and you keep me talk
ing here. If you have parted from him,
still you know of his misfortunes. How
is that?''
why should explain to you?' said
Lucy tetchily; "you belong to the old set
from which I am apart. I am utterly
| alone"
"Your brother John-he-"
"He is afraid of me-the poor wretch
ran away from me long ago."
81 wish to be of service to you, and
to Reuben Culwick, and to your brother
John-the three associated with my hap
py days in Hope street,
Happy days." said Lucy mockingly;
"and you look back at them cheerfully,
of course, from the grand house which
belongs, by right, to- Reuben Culwick." !"
(Which wish that could give him" I"
"Is that true?'
EYES," answered Sarah, returning the
steady gaze into her eyes, "as l hope to
live."
''There's a deal of gratitude left still,
Sarah Eastbell-riches have not spoiled
you yet, as they may presently. I wish,
now," she added, that you came to my
Sunday services"
She strobe away from Sarah Eastbeil,
leaving her motionless for a while, till
Sarah recollected that the meeting had
been all in vain, and ran after her.
''You-you have not told me where
Reuben Culwick lives," Sarah gasped
forth as she came up with her.
"And / never will. You can do no
good-you are a foolish child who will
only make him worse" she said, turning
away again.
''It is you, then, that you'd keep him
poor. 1t is you who hate him, Lucy Jen-
nings." cried Sarah, indignant at last
Lucy hurried on without paying heed
to Sarah Eastbell's reproaches. She was
very white. but very firm. The interview
had terribly disturbed her; the old world,
even yet, was not to be regarded with the
stoicism of pure soul apart from it; but
no good could arise from this weak young
woman's meeting with Reuben Culwick
she was sure.
Better as it is" she muttered; he
said that he would never see her in his
poverty"
1t was at this juncture that a white
faced man, perfectly destitute of eye
brows and eyelashes, and seedily attired,
turned the corner of the hedge rows that
were still green and luxuriant, and faced
Miss Jennings.
He was engaged in smoking, but his
short pipe dropped from his mouth at the
sight of her, and he stepped into the road
to allow her to pass, and looked sheep
ishly away.
John" she said sharply, "a little fur
ther along that road you will find Sarah
Eastbell. She wants her cousin Reuben's
address. Give it to her. 1t shan't be
said that l stood in his way" she NUT
tered.
CHAPTER XIV.
John Jennings ran his hardest after
Sarah Eastben. He ran hurriedly past
her, for in his minds eye he could only
see the lank poorly clad girl Of two years
ago-he was even looking out for a strip
ed cotton dress the worse for wear aud
tear. He would have run fairly out of
sight of her, if female voice had not
called out "John," and stopped him. Then
he looked back, open-mouthed, and wait
ed for Sarah to approach.