The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-03-03
CHAPTER XII.

Bile, and unceremOniously snatched from
his hands The painting that she had plac-
ed between them. There was no respect
for persons in the mind of Lucy Jennings,
especially when her blood was up.
"What do you mean by nothing of the
sortT' she exclaimed, and at the ominous
flashing of her eyes Simon Culwick's low
er jaw dropped; haven't you come in all
humility, and kindness, and Christian
charity to this houseP
Certainly not" said Mr.. Culwick,
making stand for it.
''St down, please, while | talk to you, "
said Lucy very feverishly, and ut the
young woman's excitement Mr. Culwick
glared in mute amazement. Have you
ever thought what is to become of you,
old man, when you are closer to the grave
than you are new? When you are dying,
and all your pride and wealth are not
worth that" she continued with quick
snap of her fingers so close to his face
that he WINGED and drew back his head
with alacrity.
"You-you wretched woman!" cried
Mr.. Culwick, finding breath to reply, and
clutching the arms of the chair with both
hands, and shaking them In his rage,
show dare you speak to me? DO you
know that--that | have never been talk
ed to in this way in my life-that this
is an unwarrantable liberty from one in
your pOsitiOn?"
II don't care for your position" cried
Lucy Jennings; Il wouldn't change my
position for yours for twice your money
for fifty times all that you have hoard
ed together, and hardened your soul with
What are you but a selfish old sinner
who broke his wife's heart, and turned
an only son out of doors, and who must
stand before his God-aye, sooner than
he thinks, perhaps" she added, with an
angry bang upon the table that shook
the whole house, and took Mr. Jennings
downstairs with a headong plunge, un-
der the impression that his stock had ex-
ploded-'to answer for both crimesY
"Look here, shouted Simon Culwick
Il have had enough of this"
"You win hear me out" said Lucy
backing against the door with her chair
as he rose from his seat; you have come
of your own free will to this house, where
no one is likely to be afraid of you. You
are here boasting of your want of affec-
tiOn, Dragging Of the possibility Of wound
ing one afresh whose life you have al
ready darkened, and l will tell you what
Is to become of you hereafter"
"YOu are a fanatic. You're raving
mad" said Simon Culwick, dropping into
his seat again.
Il have no more to say" she exclaim-
ed. "Now think of it, and do your duty,
as have done mine, before it is too late"
There was a slamming of the door, and
he opened his eyes to find that his tor
mentor had gone. He rose at once, and
took his hat.
what a horrible creature" he NUT
tered; Il will not stop another moment"
He was half way toward the door when
the picture attracted his attention again,
and he stopped. 1t was his ruling pas
sion; success in business, present power,
future happiness, were not upon his mind
now in any great degree.
He went back to the picture, and knit
ted his brOws at it, as a man might do
Intently puzzled with problem of more
than ordinary difficulty; he took It to the
window; he placed it on the table, and
hid himself in the curtain folds, behind
the light to gaze at it; he put his hat en-
the floor, and sat down with the picture
In front of him, and began rubbing it
carefully with the palm Of his hand;
finally he thrust his hands into his pock-
cts, and stared at it, forgetful of time
and place, and of the main object of his
visit. He was q man possessed of one
idea.
There were feet ascending the stairs
now, lightly and springily. There was
a voice he should have recollected as be-
longing to old days. 1t was only when
the handle turned sharply, and the door
opened, that he awoke to the conscious
ness of where he was, and what figure
had come into the room from the world
that was so different to his own.
Father" said Reuben CQlwick, as he
advanced toward him. You have come
to see me, and am glad"
You haven't much to be glad about
at present" replied the father; IL was
In the neighborhOod, and | thought that
| would call and see where you were lodg-
ing and what you were doing. haven't
come from Worcester expressly 10 see
you"
at does not matter; pray don't apollo
gize," said Reuben lightly, as he took
his seat at the desk, opened it, and glanc-
ed careessly at the letters and papers
which had arrived.
Il have been thinking great deal
about you lately; you have bothered ue.
"Indeedw
you came to Sedge Hill--gou were
the first to write to me-the first to make
advances And although calling on lpe
only proved that you were as obstinate
as ever-that We should never get On,
he cOntinued-"still | accepted it. as nm
apology. And it struck me that there
was some amount Of respect for me in
your heart, possibly some regret for all
that has parted us"
"Wenp
you remember what we quarrelcd
nbout?
Perfectly"
Il wanted you to marry Miss Hol-
land"
Yes"
THAT is the girl whom you saw at my
house last May"
Yes"
"Then," he said, after a strange fight
ing with his breath, 'marry her now, and
I'll forget everything"
Reuben was prepared for many strange
reasons for his fathers presence m Hone
street, but this one took him completely
of his guard. lie sat back and glared
at his father.
You don't answer me- said Simon
Culwick, in his old sullen and agsrieved
tone Of voice.
Il must decline to marry the lady"
"You-you fool" burted forth the
father.
Simon Culwick rose, buttoned up his
coat, and set his hat firmly on his head.
Good morning 10 you"
zone moment Is Miss Holland aware
Of your propositiony"
Certainly not"
Il am very glad Of it."
Il don't see anything to be glad of,"
said Mr. Culwick. as be walked toward