Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-08-14
a FAMILY AFFAIR
BY HUGH CONWAY.
AUTHOR or aCALLED BACK" DARK
DAYS" ETC.
Continued from Sunday May slst.

Continued from sunday May 5lst.
His visitor took the blunt refusal very
badly. The truth Is that A[r. Hsrvsy's tem-
per was not improving, or rather his com
mand Of il was, from a sustained course Of
cigars and whisky and water, growing ftful
and intermittent. Besides, Carruthers had
a way with him which was particularly irri-
tating to these who had the misfortune to
quarrel with him. On a previous occasion
Hervey had found It almost more than he
could put up with. However, with the ex-
ception Of sIapping his hand on Franks table
be controlled himself for the present.
II must insist upon your telling me- b
said; II have to make an important business
communication to Miss Clausonn
Carruthers smiled contemptuousIy. "Her
trustees, the Messrs. Talbert, of Oakbury,
MANAGE Miss Clauson's business, l believe.
Or you might go to the family solicitor,
whose nameI will give you"
"My business is Of a private nature. l
demand this address. Ihave a right t. ask
it.n
Carruthers shrugged his shoulders, ele.
waited his eyebrows in true Talbert fashion,
and again smiled that irritating smile.
"My good SIR he said, cannot you un.
derstand that | absolutely refuse to crafty
youl That a gentleman is not justified in
giving every one who asks it a lady's adj
dressl Go to Sir Maingay Clauson, he is the
proper person to apply to. As to rights, l
am certainly within my own if l ask you to
leave my room. No doubt you see that the
business which ro no ma tho rIaas,ra of tb;,
visit cannot be carried through"
Hervey scowled, hssitated and then walked
out of the room. He was wise in so doing,
as he might have said more than he intended;
and a premature disclosure, indeed, a disclo-
sure at all, of tae truth would entirely ruin
his clouded prospects. AS, from lack Of po-
likeness, or furry of discontinue, he left the
door ajar, Carruthers rose and walked across
the room to close it. Just then the door
opened and the two men confronted each
other on the threshold.
IF you write to Miss Clauson will you
give her a message from mel" asked Hervey
with forced civility.
THAT depends exactly upon what the mes
sage may be.n
"Wil you tell her that l called on you and
said the matter could now be easily arranged
There's no harm in that
There seems none. When l write I'll give
it.n
You'd better mention my real name. It's
not Henry Morris-It's-'
Il am acquainted with your real name,r
said Frank, with perfect ~nonchalance. Her
vey grew very angry.
"Now, l wonder who you may be" he said,
''you who write to her. Perhaps you're sweet
on each other, and look forward to a happy
MARRIAGE An ~incautious remark Of tht
rogue's, yet one he could not refrain from
making; nor could he refrain from cycling
Carruthers to see how the shot told. Hare
as the effort was, Carruthers preserved hi
equanimity.
perhaps So" he said carelessly. "Ican't
however, imagine it can be Of the slightes
interest to you" The scornful emphasis lait
on the last word ficked Hervey like a whip
"Perhaps sol" he echoed with his mockins
laugh. "Ha, hal do you think Pm a fool
Do you think you take me in with you
studied easel Don't 1 know you're dying t
know who l am and all about met"
Il know a good deal already" said Frank
in seathing tones. IF l felt any wish t
know more should apply at Scotland Yart
or wherever the proper Office may be-"
This taunt was more than even the mos
umiable t~lcket-of-leave man could be expect
ed to let pass. 1t finished Hervey entirely
He boiled over. With the violent explicitly,
which invariably accompanies such an act
struck out full at the speaker.
This Carruthers was one of those decor
tive men who at first glance gave littl
promise of much strength Yet if his fran
was spare his shoulders were square, and al
the weight he carried was bone and muscle
He may be summed up in the simple wor
wiry; and wiry men, as many a muscular
looking athlete knows to his cost, are nc
adversaries to be despised. He was far fror
being one of those marvellous creatures
usually officers in the guards, who, in fctio
at least, can crush up silver hagons, tos
with one hand a s~ixteen-stone rufian over
ditch or a railing, but all the same he ha
his fair share Of manly strength.
After parrying Heryey's blow, he simpl
jerked out his right arm to the very best
his knowledge and agility, throwing IL
whole weight Of his body into it, and, in I'll
language Of what may now be called the r
vived prize ring, got well home"
These were the only two blows struck, ar
for this reason: Hervey, when he receive
Franks blow, was standing on the landing
He staggered back and went headlong dow
the steep stairs. 1t seemed as if his nee