Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1904-05-05
oHApTEp xxIv-tcontIpued.,

CHAPTER XXIVs--tC0ntinued
The great conspiracy was at an end,
and Sarah Eastbel had bafiied the con.
splrat0rs. All that had been planned by
Captain Peterson. and that. sarah's abb
sence from Sedga Hill had rendered bu-
gatory, ell the new schemlng TO which
that absence had given rise. and which
was set In action with karnh's return.
had collapsed At the eleventh hour Sarah
was neither dead nor q captive, and Tom
was ~ far removed from prosperity as
he had ever been.
he burst forth with--"oh. I am so glad
that you've come back, Sally--so glad
that you amt deadt'
Were you waiting for tho news ~ my
death, thenT" asked Sarah with lndlgna.
tion. There Ii your world, Tom" Bhs
said, pointing to the door, beyond this
house, and any love Of mine, from this
day. You could not trust me--you set q
snare for me, and called In rogues and
villains to assIst--you begrudged me my
property and my life. Now CO."
Lucy Jennings hard voice cut short his
defense, and be backed from the woman
to the grounds beyond the house with
every word she hurled at him,
TON Eastbeli some hours ago. ln Lon
don, gave information to the police
whore the Peterson gang were likely 10
be found--whera you were, and ln what
way you we're connected with them. You
have not any time 10 lose"
He lost no time accordingly. He van
lshed away. thief TO the isst--for he
departed with Reuben Culwlck's best hat
rammed over his eyebrows. Sarah turned
again 20 Reuben. her watchfui protector,
who would keep her for ever In his sight
now, and as the door closed she linked her
hands upon his arm.
Take me In. pleass--I am tired out,
Reuben. / have fought hard to get
homer
''rell me how II happened--how II was
that you disappeared from all Of us 90
suddenly" said Reuben impatiently.
He did not regard Lucy Jennings--he
drew his chair to his cousins side. took
her hand In his. and gaEed eagerly into
her face. She might fade away again
from his life, II he did not make sure oi
her.
Yes, yes" said Sarah, In answer 10 bis
questions; but grandmother--teil me
first, ls she NOT very anxious about me r
Your grandmother 10 not anxious
Sarah" said Lucy In q low tone.
rs she illf"
mo. She Ia not III now"
"ls ahe-ahl you are keeping some
thing backl Tell me, please" she said
in great excitement, ''where 10 che. She
Is not dead--oh! she has not died without
a word from mef"
''She II In Gods hands--and God keeI
you strong to bear the loss of her." said
Lucy Jennings.
Sarah Eastbell closed her eyes, and
sank back In the chair like dead wom
an. Reuben, d man wholly uncharita.
ble--as men will be In stages of excite
ment which strike home to them, and rot
them of their self-possession- up
on the poor preacher, who had done heI
best at least. ..
'"There. you have killed herl Are YOU
satisfied nowf" he shouted at Lucy Jen.
nlngs. ... .-
II am not satisfied with this. world, OF
with you," was the cold answer, ns Ehe
bent over Sarah. and iOosened the fast
enings at her throat. But Sarah East
bell had not tainted; she was only stunned
by the truth, and she sat up the instant
afterward, eager for the whole story
and looking piteously from one to the
other.
1t was not In Reuben's power to break
the news to-her after ALL and he left il
to the woman whom his impatienco had
wounded
Tell her, Lucy. 1t Is beyond me-" hC
said. ..
The tragedy of sedge Hill was over
and he could not dwell upon its details