The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-02-27

set-piece, and Reuben went toward il.
and discovered his landlord. He would
have backed away, but John had recog-
nizcd him.
why. Mr.. Reuben. what can you pos
sibly want here?' he exclaimed, scram-
bling to his feet what are you looking
round forI''
For girl in black shawl and
striped cotton dress
Good graciousr' exclaimed John.
''She came in here, and followed her"
continued Reuben-"a pnefaced girl,
with big black staring eyes. Have you
seen girl like that aboutT
"Hundreds-pOor wretches."
Not girl with white. sorrowful
face. such as she has. | am sure it was
she"
"She-who!'
'Oh, never mind" said Reuben. put on
his guard at last: this is the business of
your first floor. private and confidential,
and momentous. Not word of this to
Lucy"
Reuben Culwick moved restlessly about
the gardens. scanning the pleasure seek
ers, glaring into the arbors. looking Gown
the dark avenues. and into the refresh
Sarah Eastbel-no black and white
striped dress even to identify its wearer
He fingered till the last. and went mood
lily back to his lodgings certain in his
own mind that Sarah Eastbell had seen
him and avoided him.
There was another Sarah Eastbeil on
his mind, too-the old woman ut st.
Oswald's. down in Worcestershire What
Il Al
out her nurse. and without a friend? He
took up the current number of the Penny
Trumpet to refresh himself with an ar
ticle of his own composition, and then an
advertisement stared at him in the face.
Cheap Excursion to Worcester Malvern
and Gloucester" Reuben counted his
shillings carefully, looked up at the cell
ing. and went into an elaborate mental
calculation on the spot. Yes, he would
go away again.
The next day he was in Worcester
walking up the Tithing as ii the place be-
longed TO him. He passed through the
gateway and entered the square court
yard. where he stood looking round him
as if for his Second-cOusin Sarah. whose
appearance seemed wanting to complete
the picture. The door of his aunt's room
was open. and he walked toward it, and
entered the apartment. where all was us
he expected to find it. The old woman
lay in her bed as he had seen her last.
quiet. patient watchful woman. and there
was no one with her Surely it was only
yesterday since he had called at st. Os-
walds.
Who's there?" said Sarah Eastbell,
sharply. as he entered.
Your nephew" he answered. walking
to the bedside. you received my letter
about SARAH
Yes. 1t was kind of you to think of
her.
Where is she?" said Reuben.
We'll" replied Mrs. Eastbell: ''she has
gone away for a little change. She will
be back soon.'
rs she in London?'
Yes"
What made Sarah leave your
why. Tom came back from sea. Her
brother-a fine strappng young fello =,
who has got on in the world. He :ame
here to see me at once" the old lady CON
tinued, land insisted upon giving Sally
n bit of a change before he went away
on board ship again. and the child wanted
change. and they said looked i'll. and so |
persuaded her to GO.
Has she written to you since?'
"To be sure. There's a letter of hers
on the mantelpiece now
Reuben Culwick walked across and
took down letter therefrom. To his
surprise it was addressed to two persons.
the second one being communicated with
"A lead pencil ut the top of the paper.
s'Ilnn't raaH this IN,
written in lead pencil. and in quite
lady's hand keep her as cheerful as
you can without me- Let her think that
| am coming back soon--that am happy
with Tom aud that he is very kind.
can't think of breaking the truth to her
yet that | can never. never come back
any more"
'Who reads the letters to you. aunt -
he asked curiously.
Mrs Muggeridge or her niece. ,ener-
ally. because the old lady stammers
dreadful"
Nov. why are all these people hum
Laughing this poor womanI' muttrred
Reuben, as he took Il great handful of his
beard into consideration with him.
While he meditated. II very sallow face.
chisclcd deeply with ridges. peered round
the room door. and two greenish eyes
blnkcd AT him through spectacles with
wide horn rims.
"One moment. Mrs. Muggeridge." Reu-
ben FASTENED to say Il want you or
your niece To tell me about Mrs. East
bells OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES she has
gone. and why she has gone
MY niece. said Mrs. Muggeridge.
shaking her head again. "Ah, that's n
little trick To keep that poor old soul go
ing bit till we take her off To the "emc-
terry. which can't he very long now. The
young lady thought it would be the better
plan not to tell her anything"
What younr lady -