Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-01-26
CHAPTER w.


Reuben Culwick had an early dinner
at Muddleton's. After dinner he spent
some time poring over q time table, and
finally rang the bell.
Il shall want my luggage taken to the
station this afternoon" he said to the
waiter who had doubted his sanity. II
wish to catch the 5:15 train for London" !"
After he had betrayed the expenses of
his board and lodging at Muddleton's he
sat with his hands in his pockets, con-
sidering many things of grave perpla1-
ity. The waiter left him-when busi-
ness took him into the coffee room again,
number forty-eight was laughing to HIM
self, just as lunatics of a cheerful frame
of mind, or of no mind at all, are in the
habit Of doing.
"Why shouldn't II" Reuben Culwick
said to himself; II shall not have another
chance-she's one of the family-I may
never see Worcester again."
He beckoned the waiter to him.
1.-The St. Oswald Almshouses are at
the top of Foregate street, are they not?"
"Yes, sir-in the Tithing."
"Ah! the Tithing. l have been so long
away that l forget names and places
everything but INJURIES" he mutte-ed
He did not go direct to the Tithing, but
ed to the bridge, over which he looked
at the Severn, and where he hesitated
strangely.
What is the use? I shall only hear
the recital of her grievances. real and
imaginary-disturb her and myself-feel
myself in the way. and leave her none the
happier. What's the use of my going,
after all?-I am as helpless, poor and
blind as she is.''
He did not see the use of it in the
sluggish waters that flowed on beneath
the arch of the bridge, and at which he
gazed so steadfastly-he had even turn
ed away as from an unthankful task, of
which the river warned him, when a sec
Ond impulse set him with his face from
the railway, and took him with rapid
strides in the direction upon which he
had first resolved. The church clocks
were striking three when he paused at
the gateway which opened upon the in
ner quadrangle of st. Oswald. The doors
of some of the almshouses We're open, and
at one of them was a faint sign of life
in the form of a young woman, poorly
but neatly clad in black and white
striped cotton dress. who was sitting
with her elbows planted on her knees,
her hands supporting her temples. and
AeI ioSe pSAl SIoSe over Il DOOk that
lay upon her lap. AS Reuben advanced
he saw that the watcher on the threshold
had tired of her volume, and closed her
eyes.
Can you tell me where"
Reuben 'Culwick paused in his in
quiry. for the white. pinched face, and
the big black eyes were the face ard
eyes of the strange girl who had volln-
teered to carry his luggage last night.
and collapsed by the way. He could
not be mistaken; he had looked too anx-
iously at her as she lay in her swoon to
be deceived. despite her feminine suise
at this crisis. and the taller woman that
she looked in it.
The big black eyes blinked like a cats
in the sun, and the lashes Quivered in
unison, but then he had awakened her
from slumber, and there was no sign of
recognition on her countenance. There
was a certain amount of contraction of
the eyebrows, that might have indicated
half scowl at the traveller for waking
her thus unceremoniously.
DO you know me?" Reuben said,
changing his tone and question.
NO." was the slow reply; I've never
seen you before"
mot at Worcester station, at ten
o'clock last night, when you helped me
with heavy portmanteau that I was
selfish enough to let you carry for me?'
he continued.