Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-09-04
CHAPTER XIII.
pATNrTrT. nTTTTES

After the two great crimes Of removing
the landmarks of the constitution to pander
to the Masses" and not wiping ones shoes
the one an imperial, the other domestic SIM
yet equally grave-unpunctuality at table
was the most heinous offense in the eyes of
Horace and Herbert. Without being exactly
gourmands they liked their food cooked to q
turn. Most bachelors who have turned 40
exhi bit the same liking. The Talberts took q
great deal of trouble about their cuisine, and
expected to be rewarded by finding every
thing, from the salt to the salmon, as it
should be. Such matter as hard-hearted
potato was all but unknown at their table,
and would have formed the subject for
court of inquiry and, if needed, revision
Of kitchen utensils.
At their refined dinner parties it was un-
derstood that after certain time of grace no
one was to be waited for. 1t was their theory
that keeping several guests waiting for one
aggard was breach Of politeness. There
we're unkind people who said that the broth
ers would break this rule for lord. They
wronged our friends. They would have
waited for no one under the rank of duke
or at least marquis.
So that when Whitaker having struck the
resonant gong and so proclaimed that lunch
was ready, ten minutes passed by without
Beatrice's responding to its hospitable sum-
mons, it is no wonder that Horace and Her.
bert began to look grave. The soup was on
the table; Whitaker was waiting his mas
ter's commands. He, who from long associa-
tion, felt the situation as much as they did
looked absolutely sympathetic. Although he
had no reason to suppose her stone deaf he
ventured to suggest that Miss Clauson had
not heard the gong.
The beauty of the Talberts' character was
that politeness invariably triumphed over
principle. Punctuality was here the prin-
ciple; it was outraged, yet forced for while
to submit. Horace forbade repeated sum-
mons, and they actually waited another five
minutes before they sent Whitaker to in
quire for Miss Clauson. Whitaker reported
that Miss Clauson, the nurse and the little
boy had gone out Immediately after break
fast and had not yet returned.
'Then the nursery dinner will be spoiled,
too" said Horace sadly, as he seated himself
and ladled out the soup. Horace, with his
kind heart, felt for any one who was doomed
to suffer from spoiled dinner.
After solemn lunch the brothers waited
for a while in the dining-room They ex-
pected every moment that Beatrice would
appear. They did not of course mean to
scold her, but were prepared to say a few
words OF mild remonstrance; to show her,
in fact, how the bad example of unpunctual-
ity must demoralize an establishment
But as Beatrice did not appear the we'll
meant little lecture they were tacitly pre-
pairing turned into open expressions of Won
der as to why her morning ramble should be
SO protracted. Perhaps she had gone some
where to lunch. Perhaps something had
happened. Just as they had reached this last
stage Of supposition, Whitaker brought in a
telegram. It was from Beatrice and sent
from Oxford Circus. We are in London-it
ran--do not be uneasy will write tonight.
They were greatly surprised, and marveled
on what errand could she have gone to Lon
don? No doubt it was all right. She had
most likely gone to her fathers Perhaps
Sir Maingay was ill. Beatrice might have
intercepted telegram and impulsively
started off at once. But why take the child
and the nurses Whys There they were
unable to make head or tail of the matter, so
could only wait for the mornings post.
Beatrice might have been more explicit"
said Horace, looking at the telegram once
more.
eyes, said Herbert, sshe mad nine words
to spare"
kilograms are one of the pests Of modern
life" continued Horace. s'PeopIa. dash off
these in-worded, unprecedented PHI 1ses in
stead of a proper letter. No one can write a
decent letter now"
Horace, who had the gift of writing pecu-
liarly well-constructed and elegant, if rather
too lengthy, epistles, felt keenly on the ten
dency of the age to conduct its correspond
ence by means of Short swapping sentences,
after the manner of Mr. Mordle's style of
talking.
4 hope she will be back soon," said Her.
bert. Frank comes to us the day after to-
morrow
He is in good health now, isn't heq'
Splendid, I believe"
'"Then think we can give him the '5S this
time-the 47is growing low"
This was not meanness 1t was but the
caution wise man exercises over his cellar.
Besides, who could complain of the delicate
graduations 1858 is a fine wine; many prefer
it to 1S47.
Beatrice's promised letter came in the
morning. Horace read it first. His face was
a perfect blank. He read it again before he
handed it to the anxious Herbert who. al