The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-04-30
CHAPTER XIX.

The will Of Sarah Eastbell was com.
Dleted, and Hartley, the maid, and a
second servant were introduced into the
room to witness the old lady's effort at q
signature.
cts good thing done, after ALL"
muttered Mrs. Eastbeii as she lay down
YEARLY.
tits brief and unlawyer-like," said
Reuben, contemplating the will, "but l
think 1t sets forth your intentions clearly,
aunt. What shall do with it2"
Lock 1t In that iron box; the key is
under my pillow" said Mrs. Eastbell.
Reuben found the key, and locked up
the win, restoring the key to its place
beneath his aunt's head.
1t had been a day of more than ordi-
nary fatigue and excitement to Mrs.
Hastbell, and she was tired out; sleep
was life to a woman Of her age, and he
would not trouble her again concerning
ehe granddaughter, or ask her any ques-
lions respecting the engagement. There
would be time enough tomorrow to con-
slider that-and Sarah was waiting for
him.
Reuben went downstairs thoughtfully.
He had almost resolved to proceed to the
gallery In the first place, but the tempta-
ton was too strong to seek out his second
cousin, who would surely be in the draw
ing room awaiting him. He had a great
deal to tell her now, and a little to ex-
plain concerning his past misopthropy,
which had grown more strongly develop
ed as she at last seemed to fade away
more completely from him. A real hero
Inc had his Second-cousin Sarah proved
herself to be; he wished that he had been
more of hero to match, that he had
more bravely endured the inevitable. She
did not know yet what an obstinate and
bad-tempered man he was, and how he
had Quarreled with everybody In turn
after his fathers death. He went into
the drawing room full Of these odd reso-
lutlons, and found Mary Holland there,
"Where Is Sarah?" he asked, after a
glance round the room had assured him
Of the absence of his second-cousin,
"SarahT said Miss Holland, springing
to her feet HAS she not been with Won
In Mrs. Eastbell's roomF"
"She left 1t half an hour since"
swat an instant"
Mary Holland left the room: and Rem
ben remained, with a new perplexity to
battle with, and rising doubts and fears
to beat down.
Mary Holland entered the room again,
and was standing at the door, a Daler
and more affected woman than when he
had seen her few minutes since.
"Gole!" she said ut last.
"What do you meanT'
"That-that Sarah Eastbell IL not in
the house." explained Mary.
at can't be truew calculated Rsuben.
"Stay, let me think still. For heay-
ems sake give a distracted woman time
to thinkv
Reuben, in the midst of his excitement.
remembered afterward that the demeanor
Of Mary Holland aroused in him for an
instant a half-wondering interest. an In
a dream Of vague beliefs and startling in
consistencies; and then the trouble of
Rarah's absence took away all thought of
everything else.
"Her brother and the man he brought
with him." said Reuben, "whers are
theyT
'"They are in the gallery still; thew
could not have left the room without INV
being warned"
rhey are In this plot, II plot there
can be-" said Reuben.
Mary Holland ran to the window and
looked back at Reuben.
"OpenW she cried.
Reuben and Mary Holland stepped in
to the garden, and looked around them.
It was dark, dry night, with the stars
hidden now, and the wind soughing
through the larches on the hillside with
such plaintive meanings that Reuben
gtrove to catch the accents of his cous-
ms voice amidst them.
We shall find her in the garden" said
Reuben assuringly, as he strobe along
the paths with which he was acquaint-