The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-03-17
CHAPTER XV.-(COntinued.)

across the room, Uttered with many vol
umes, toward a desk heaped high with
papers. The whole place was true au'
thor's den--a glimpse even of old Grub
street times, when authors worked hord
for their daily bread, and none knew what
became of the profits of their scribbling,
and no one cared save the thieves who
sold books
In the midst of the chaos on the desk
there lay a little dainty note, stamped
and sealed and unopened, which had been
placed there by the landlady during his
absence from home; and it was in lady s
handwriting, of that Sarah Eastbell was
assured.
She was not particularly reserved
about examining 1t; indeed, her impulse
toward it did not allow time for those
finer feelings to develop themselves which
two years training had striven to pro-
duce. She pounced upon the note like a
hawk, in fact, and took Il up with trem-
bling hands, and with her big dark eyes
dilating.
"Mary HollandW she exclaimed.
She examined the letter attentively.
The handwriting was large and charac-
teristic, and clear; the monogram on the
back of the envelope was M. H; the post
mark was Worcester-there could he no
possibility Of mistake.
"Why has she writtenT exclaimed
Sarah; "how dare she write to himT
At the same moment a hand touched
her arm, and Reuben Culwick's voice
said politely:
"When you have quite done with my
letter, Miss Eastbell, | should feel obhg-
ed by its return"
Sarah Eastbell gave little scream Of
surprise, and turned to greet her cousin.
She extended both her hands toward
him, and he did not check the impulse,
but received them in his own, and shook
them warmly, winding up proceedings by
taking his letter gently and delicately
from her.
Reuben very unceremoniously cleared
a chair of about half hundredweight Of
books, by fitting the volumes forward TO
the floor, and Sarah sat down and looked
timidly and yet scrutinlzingly toward
him. He did not speak to her again; be
gave her time to collect her ideas, or to
observe the effect of two years change,
of two years trouble and hard work and
worldly drudgery upon him. This gave
him time also to note how years had re-
modelled Second-cousin Sarah-how the
gawky girl had grown into handsome
young woman, whom he could only iden-
tify with past forlornness by her large,
dark, wistful eyes. And she saw, with a
strange heart sinking for which she could
not account, that there was a startling
change In him who was facing her.
II am very sorry" she said at last, and
In spasmodlc fashion.
II am in my right place." he said, with
a little laugh that was hardly natural,
ian individual totally undeserving of
your sympathy"
"Why have yeu never written to me or
grandmother Why have you not come
to Sedge HIP Why have you kept away
from those who would have been always
very proud to help your
"That is why l have kept away, Miss
Eastbell-because | am proud enough to
be above all help. You must not mind
what l say; am more irritable than l
used to bel have grown to like my own
company, and to dislike visitors of oil de-
grees. l am q sour kind Of fellow now,
who prides himself upon saying hard
things, and so the less you see of him the
better"
"You are not offended with meT she
inquired softly. "You take it as an insult
that my blind grandmother and | are in
your fathers house, and possess your
fathers property, but we"
II will not hear" cried Reuben, 6ercely
Interrupting her. "When knew that my
father kept his word with me, became
less of philosopher than had bargain
ed for-more human, more selfish. more
of a coward-and l am only slowly get
ting over the sense of disappointment
which followed the disinheritance. | was
vain enough to think myself hero, when
was only poor money-loving prig."
T-I-hardly understand" said Sarah,
bewildered at this confession.
"No, no-probably not" he said quick
ly, land why should trouble you about
my feelings, even If you did,"
"A word would have saved you from
this cruel drudgery."
"A word to Mrs. Eastbell, who--but
there, have nothing to say against the
old lady. She is still well, and enjoys
her affluence"
"No," said Sarah, shaking her head
energetically,
$50 l have heard" responded Reuben.
1a ulapnad ak fha 1aNtnr -,
and Sarah said at once:
"Why does my grandmother's compan-
Ion write to your
"0ut of pity" be added dryly.
"How is 1t that she is acquainted with
your address, while have had to scheme
and search for it-why has she not told
meT
81 must leave that for Miss Holland to
answer for herself"
"Will you ever come to Sedge Hilly'
"As soon as can afford it," he an
swered; when have a decent coat on
my back, and sufficient spare cash to pay
my railway fare to Worcester-and coat
and cash are both earned by the sweat of
my brow-I will pay you a return visit"
Il have not done any good" she mur-
INJURED, "but | am glad | have seen you
very glad Good by"
Good by"
He shook hands with her, opened the
door and allowed her to pass from his
room. He stood on the landing place and
watched her descend the murky stairs
as she glanced up at him and smiled, be
could see that the light was shining
through her tears.
"Time has not spoiled her yet" be
muttered; II am glad that have seen
her"
Sarah was In the street then, LOOKING
up and down Drury Lane, and doubtful
which way to turn. She was still hesitat.
ing when Lucy Jennings suddenly stood
before her.
"Well-what did he sayl What have
you been talking about all this time
what good have you doneY she asked
with great eagerness.
II have done no good"
HE would not accept sssistancel H,
was hard and unchsritable-he tauntet
you with all his hearts bltternessT
HE was kind. IL think that be Al
glad to see me-"
"Did he-dld he speak Of met"
''Not a word"
"Not onel am glad Of that" she an