The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-08-08

as if to leave the cab. The curate kept tn
door closed
"Miss Clauson," he said, ''can | not d.
your crrand for you! This seems scarcel,
the place for You to enter
He spoke more gravely than usual. Hi
mind was picturing tho CONSERVATION int
which Horace and Herbert would be thrown
did they but know that their niece was visit
ing such place as this he felt he was be
traying trust, and until he could assure
himself that the end more than justified tn,
means would be i'll at ease.
"No," said Beatrice, II alone can do it
Please do not follow me; but should be glat
if YOU VIII wait for me-
Very reluctantly he opened the cab door
and with many misgivings watched Bcatric,
go past the sodden-faced man, who cast after
her look Of maudlin approval; he watcheC
her 30 pa t the colored bottles and the pewter
counter, all G.SGppcar from sight, As sh,
vanish =, nus, who was shrewd enough
| tofccl be moral ruin for clergy,
man, c who was but a curate, to
be seen / 4 hour Of the morning hang.
| ing abo;.5 l.. i,...r Of such tavern, ensconceC
himself in tho Cepths Of the cab, and waited
and wondered. He honestly believed that
whatever might bo the mission which
brought Beatrice TO such place, its object
was perfectly pure and womanly Yet he
was unhappy, aud felt guilty. Horace and
! Herbert sat heavily on his conscience. Char
| table US he knew them TO be, prompted by
charity as he persuaded himself was Bea.
trico's unknown crrand, he was fully aware
that no mix OF human kindness possessed by
the Talberts would induce them to consent to
their nieces exercising the sacred quality in
such dingy purlicus, or under the roof OF
such u questionable establishment as the
Cat and Compasses.' The limits Of the
charitable obligations Of Lakewood House
were strictly defined by the boundaries of
Oakbury parish.
At the end of the cleaning pewter coun-
ter Beatrice encountered the widowed
landady, whose frame, expansive after the
manner Of widowed landladles, filed up the
narrow passage. She eyed Miss Clausou
curiously, and then conducted her to a snug
parlor ut the back Of the bar. Inn parlors
Of this sort are always cosy and warm. This
was no exception to the rule. y cosy, low
room, and lot without cheerful ornaments,
seeing that it boosted n large tea tray in!aid
with mother of pearl, several coored prints
and a handsomely framed copper-platc writ
ten document which proclaimed to all who
was n member of the Ancient Order of Odd
Fellows.
Beatrice noticed none OF these artistic en-
bellishments. She took the chair which was
offered her, and, without raising her veil,
awaited TIE appearance Of Mrs. Rawlings.
As no woman with any pretens!ons to re-
speciality and solvency would think Of
facing an unknown visitor without some
little smoothing Of plumcs and adjustment
of attire, Miss Clauson had to wait several
minutes for the desired audience. At last
she heard the door open, and. with a stitled
sob, she rose, turned, and faced tho new
conner.
Mrs. Rawlings good-natured round, com
monpacc face wore an expression Of wonder
ment She saw that her visitor was OF |
class different from that which usually hon |
ored her with morning call. As a tribute
to Miss ClGuSons undeniably lady-like appear
ance the good woman's greeting, which tie
gan with II nod, ended in something like q
curtsey.
please be seated, miss, D." she said. 81 hear
you want to speak to me-
Eyes, said Beatrice, in a low but clear
voice. II wish to speak to you about tho
child which you claim rs yours. Iwish to
hear what you have to say"
The woman's face grew grave. "Ah," she |
said, 81 must send for my husband. He's |
managing the business
Beatrice made an imperious gesture Of dis
sent What l have to say must be said to !
YOU. Kindly see that We speak without in
corruption " Mrs Rawlings settled back IN
49, ch'.r rather >ulisn.y, and el cd her yelled !
visitor with Increased curiosity. Suddenly
Beatrice again sponc:
Tel me, ~ size said, in tones of strong re-
proach, and, perhaps unw.sely, scorn-"tel.
me why you dare to claim as your own
child whom you saw for the first time few
iays ago."
Mrs. Rawlings seemed troubled. She could
not see her visitors eyes, but had the I'm.
comfortab le feeling that they were gazing
sternly at her, as IL striving to read the
truth III her pcrturbcd features,
1--WE lost little boy" she faltered out
"a dear little boy Of that age. My man is
certain tbs is ours
But you-you nre not certain. A man
may make mistake as to his own chill, hus
not woman. The mother does not forge.
her child, or believe to child of q stranger
to be her own
MY man is so certain" rcpoated Mrs.
NAV LINES, nc HluSJ DC l.EIul. lbtr 1NuDN,
ever since OR boy YVES los Eq les Lccn seek
ing him, high and low. 1t Egs driven hiil
all but mad at times, Now 10 has found the
child, and means to have him. She spoke
tho last sentence somewhat deilantly
''He will never have him, said Beatrice
slowly. Listen tom There is no chance
of your obtaining that boy. His mother
knows in whose hands he is. If your claim
is pressed, proof as to whose tho child really
is viii be Forthcoming. The production will
cause pain and grief, but that will be borne,
il needful. Sec heren-she drew from her
pocket the labe! which had been cut Off the
child's cape-'the person who has u right to S
that child must produce the hat Of the card I
which fits this. When wanted it can be
produced &
II know nothing about cards and proofs
said the woman, whose understanding could I
not, perhaps, grasp tho ingenuity Of the I
device. "All know is this, miss; my hus-
band swears It is our boy, and believe him, S
poor man. Sore enough he has grieved for ]
two years-never been the same man since l
You do not believe him, said Beatrice, {