Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1904-04-14

CHAPTER xx.--tcOutInusd.I


What did Il all meanf II Mary Hol-
land were not 20 be trusted, II this
strange girl had for years deceived him,
II his mothers warning were after all cor.
rect, what was TO be done at the slcv.
enth hour, when he was In great troubled
The door opened, and Mary Holland came
into the room.
"You sent for meT she said.
''Yes," he said, Sin misery and fear
sent for you. Sit down, please" be said;
II am anxious 70 ask you many Ques.
tons"
/ The old pallor which Sarah Eastbell
had perceived stole TO Mary's face as
Reuben spoke, but she took the chair
which he had indicated, and which was
at little distance from the couch, and
sat down facing him.
Though we have not seen a great deal
Of each other In our lives, Mary" he be-
gan, kindly and earnestly, "stili II Is
through you that great changes have &C.
curred--that have lost my fathers love,
and home, and fortune"
''Yes," said Mary sadly. "that 10 true. "
II lost the three without losing conf
dence In you. As learned to respect
you, 20 | began TO think Of the POSSIBLE
lty Of many past mistakes, on my side and
my mothers. OF late days have con-
sidcrcd you tho friend Of all In this
house."
II have done my best TO be the friend,
she answered.
Last night, and for the first time in
my life, suspicion seized me. l hardly
know what Il was. II would have pass
ed away, but that II came again to-day,
strengthened by new doubts. You zee
this letter? Are you aware OF Its pur'
port r.
mo, save that Il was written In my
presence by Captain Peterson. Dare he
does he refer to me In thatr' she cried
with the color mounting to her cheeks
for q moment, and then dying away into
the old gray tint.
"Not by word. He ls as silent respect
Ing the past relations between you al
you have always BEEN"
you know, theni" she said, In dis
may.
II know that you and he were confer
ring together In the garden last night
that there Ia a secret between you which
do not share, and which you have made
no effort to reveal; and l believe that
man knows where Sarah Eastbell Ii, and
Ia In all respects villain. Tell me what
you know Of him, and when you knew
him first"
II Cannot" she said In low voice.
"He Is ut the bottom Of terrible mys
terry: he has brought grief to me; he II
linked with Thomas Eastbell against th'
peace Of this house; and you will not give
me one clew to his life."
II know but little Of him, Reuben,
she answered, "and that cannot divulg'
now. II Is more than my life's worth L
attempt Il. could not explain to Saral
Eastbell: I cannot explain TO you at thii
time. | can only say that am woman
grlevously misunderstood"
Miss Holland" said Reuben, II an
sorry, but | cannot trust you any inor'
In this house."
She did not speak again. She looked
ct him steadily for q few moments, anC
then went away, and up the stairs to hel
own room. at the end Of the corridor, ant
II was some hours before she was seeT
again In that house. II was nearly mid
day when, dressed as for a journey, sh'
reappeared In the corridor and facet
Hartley, still at her old post, a woman
forever on guard.
"You are a trusty servant, Hartley,
She said. as she advanced; but you mus
be extra vigiiant, extra strong, and clever
and cunning, while l am away"
"Are you golng-at this time, Mis-
Holland" exclaimed Hartley, In sur
prise.
"Yes--fOr a little while. will writ,
to Miss Sarah by next post"
ITO Miss Eastbellw exclaimed Hart
ley.
meanwhile listen at this door--yov
are good at listening, l believe"
"0h, madaml--I-what makes you 30,
thatT
"All is mystery In this house, and
Get you on the watch for all of us-lf
have seemed part Of the mystery, too, |
was your place to warn one who vii
soon be rightful master here. But llstel
now for me-"
II do not understand, madam"
"0n the brink of many strange confes
sions, that poor woman has slept In muc
security. 1t has been our mission NOR
than once to keep the truth from killin
her, and heaven will pardon the fiction W
have woven round her life, as pray tha
heaven will pardon me-"
Mary went swiftly down the stairs, an
out Of the house wherein she had spen
nearly six years Of her life, winning n
mans love, or woman's gratitude.