Omaha daily bee., 1885-09-12

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The 7dlbcrts then r%earranged their neckties
"But don't understand" said Horace.
"Whittaker said Mr.. and Mrs. ="
"Oh, yes" said Frank. Beatrice and I
were married some time ago. Married in
Munich. Fine city, H~orace-you know it
of course, We only came back from our
wedding trip a few days ago. You are the
first we nave seen. We thought perhaps
you would have put us up for a couple Of
days"
This request put the Talberts on their
mettle as hosts. Hospitality overruled
everything. Their house was at the young
peoples service so long as they wished-the
longer the better. ''But why did Beatrice
run awayg' asked Horaca,
SAY, why?" said Frank carelessly. 'That's
the question"
'It could net have been to avoid YOU"
said Herbert.
"She says not. But one is never sure
about such things"
"You are afraid you would have to give
up the boy" said Horace to his niece.
She hesitated. eyes, l feared he would
be taken from me-" she said. Horace
looked tr%iumphantly at Herbert. His theory
had been the right one after all.
Then they went off to see that a room was
got ready for their unexpected guests.
While the Talberts were 50 engaged their
guests walked down to tho village and
found SylHanus Mordle,
Sylvanus positively spanked when he
heard the news. 1t freed his conscience
from a shadow which had for months been
lying upon 1.-THE shadow of the Cat and
CompasseS." He took a hand of each Of his
friends.
'Sorry for one thing-only one. That I
didn't join these hands. Would ave given
worlds-anything-gone to Munich on pur-
pose. NEEDN'T tell either Of you why L
wished to do it.n
The last words were spoken with genuine
feeling. Mr.. and Mrs. Carruthers pressed
the ~curate's hands and banked him for his
| good wishes. When they left him Sylvanus
called for his tricycle. and propelled himself
ten miles out and ten miles home again. He
did so, he told himself, to keep his wind up
to sermon mark. He was unwilling to con-
fess that the need for such violent bodily
exercise was brought about by the sight Of
Beatrice as a bride.
That night at lakewood House the table
was as tastefully laid, the napery as smooth
and spotless. the glass as l~uStrous, the wines
as unimpeachable, the crockery as perfect
as ever. Frank did nearly all the talking.
He spoke of his future plans, of the life he
and Beatrice meant to lead, as coolly as if
all her friends had been at her wedding.
| Beatrice said very little. She was simply,
quietly happy. Horace thought the young
couple behaved very well. As he remarked
to Herbert afterward, "There were none Of
those embarrassing little familiarities which
SO often make the company of a bride and
brid arrcon,-u ,all u,Ja-irob1a -
Beatrice left the men and strolled through
the garden. Horace and Herbert then filled
their glasses, and in u courtly way wished
Frank every happiness. mot" said Hor-
ace, ''that We can honestly say we approve
fyour having been married in this clandes-
tine way. But you may, of course, have
had good reasons for it."
wv had good reasons said Frank.
w think, however, we have a right to
| ask for an explanation of Beatrice's strange
conduct-her fight and concealment."
Certainly" said Herbert, "most certain
ly."
So Frank told them all. AS he had the
command of language and spoke in earnest
tones, as he had the skill to make certain
shadows look lighter, and to bring out strong
points III his clients favor most strongly; as
he could speak CT what she had endured, and
/ SO iuNOht plug us wei as IlCICy, DGulIlCo
| could scarcely have found a better advo,
cate.
But Horace! Herbertl A line of notes Of
exclamation would not properly express
their surprise. With eyes fixel on the
speaker they listened like persons under a
spell. Even when Frank had said his say
they continued to gaze at him. Horace
was the first to speak. as this true.n he
gasped.
every word of it-poor grip said Frank.
Then" said Horace, with his no appeal
manner, 1--WE can never forgive her-never
see her again. NeverI'
He glanced at Herbert, as if expecting the
usual echo. But it did not coma. Frank rose
VERY well; then there's nothing more to
be said. I'll go and tell my wife to put her
things on. Which is the best Blacktown
hotelf'
This was a staggering shot, 1t was a
cruel shot. Carruthers was right when he
said it would take a great deal to make the
Talberts turn even a dog away.
'Give us a few minute to talk it o,er,n
said Herbert. LET us leave you here for
ewhile."
"No. I'll go into the garden. I can't
give you more than twenty minutes, because
most of our things are unpacked, and it is
growing late"
Before he left them he spoke again; this
time with all his former earnestness.
"Horace, HERBERT he said, turning from
one to the other. SIN talking this over, re-
member, that if you caunot forgive her we
must be strangers hereafter. BY casting her
off you give the world a right to say what
it chooses, Remember, also, she is my wife
that sha loves you-that she is even now
ON thorns of suspense awaiting your de-
%cisiou."
With this he left them, went into ths gar
den, and, out OF sight of the house walked
with his arm around Beatrice and babe her
be OF good cheer.
Before the twenty minutes had expired,
Whitaker anne to inform them that MI.
Talbert desired him to say hat tea was
waiting i'll the d-rawing-room. Frank
| smiled, drew Bx2trice's trembling arm
within his "wn and led her indoors. As
soon as Whitaker had withdrawn after
handing round th9 tea Horace spoke. He
was standing UP, his cup in his hand, and
his calm eyes seemed to be gazing at nothing.
"My dear Beatrice, y he said very grayely,
81 think If you and Frank could manage to
prolong your stay till tomorrow week we
might ask a few friends to meet you at din
ner. The invitation will bs a short one, but
under the circumstances will no doubt be
excused
CaTruthers turned away to hide a smile.
Yet he felt that, considering who tina
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