Sword and shield., 1885-10-17

man as being of more malleable material
Than the elder There was, indeed, a vague
tradition floating about that Herbert had
once upon time looked rather tenderly up
on some young lady, and that had not lIOI-
ace with praisewOrthy sellishneSS promptly
mterfered and nipped the affair in the bud,
he, Horace, might now be living in solitude
with all the cares of Lakewood House on
his shoulders. So it was Herbert who first
approached the puzzle from the romantic
side.
You don't think" " he said, "that Beatrice
could have any-any unfortunate attachment
of which we should have dsapproved?"
How could such thing be possible?''
I'VE thought such a thing as her leaving
us like this an impOssibility."
This argument impressed Horace. He
thought the matter carefully over. NO" he
SAID, with theair of judge giving decision,
III IS impossible. She has given no signs Of
such thing. She has seemed quite happy
and eontented. Her appetite has, | think,
been very good"
es. very good" said Herbert.
Besides, who could there be? She is also
her OWN mistress, and if she wished to marry
We have no voice in the matter. She is quite
capable OF having her own way. Witness
her leaving all that money idle"
Horace had never got over that present of
seven per cent. to the bankers.
Herbert, in obedience to his brothers views,
dismissed the unfortunate attachment theory
and began to look for another. Il wonder.
he said sadly, and after long pause, Il
wonder if we have misunderstood Beatrice's
character?'
Il am almost afraid it is So" said Horace.
SHE seemed So quiet and c0ntented,"
sighed Herbert. ''I'rue that affair about
those people and the boy upset her"
Now, sid Horace, Il believe you are
getting nearer the mark. Can it be possible
thai any fear that the child would be taken
from her induced her 10 make this foolish
light can call 1t nothing else"
Herbert objected in his turn. Beatrice had
been So certain that the claim would come 10
nothing, and events had proved her Sagacity.
so they talked and talked, suggested and
reasoned but never got near the truth. They
could not even frame theory. Nothing in
this world is more annoying than to be with
out theory.
At last Horace rose. Something must be
done " he said decisyely.
Yes, aSScnted Herbert inQuringlv.
I'VE are, it appears to me, placed in Il most
unfortunate position. This mysterious flight
involves the most greyous consequences.
We must do something which feel sure
will be repugnaGt 10 both of rs.
You will not employ any one to trace
herr"
Certainly not She is her own mistress,
and ,.lD On Nyhnr,A Sbn fl,a1GaS ~, fIipI--
ing more about ourselves Life will become
mt0lerablcif the matter gets bruited abroad"
"Iiow can We help il? All the household
knows that Bratrlcchas gone, and gone with
out any luggage.
''That, said ilorace. with mild triumph,
81 have thought ont. He rang the bell,
and asked for the parlor-nlaid
Jane, he said M Cianson has been
called to l.on,!en. VII you be good enough
to get such things packed IN her trunks as
she is likely to want for a lengthy visit; also
pack the nurses box and the child's things
Jane curtScyed, and withdrew. Presently
She returned and asked how mal.y dresses
she had better pack?
Two morning and four evening dresses"
said Horace, promptly. Herbert admired
his brothers great mind, which rose So equal
To the occasion.
Then Jane wanted to know which dresses.
The two new ones, of course. Then what?
The black silk, the black lace, the high body
with Jet trimmings, the brocade upper skirt,
or what? For the moment even Horace WAS
at fault. He soon recovered.
we will come and assist YOU, he said
80 they went 20 Beatrice'S room, and with
eyeglasses fixed stood one on each side Of
the trunk and superintpnded the packing.
Much as they delighted in Gdd jobs of this
kind, to-day they felt no pleasure. They
scarcely dared to glance at each other They
felt ashamed, as all honorable men do, who
by irresistible stress OF circumstances are
compelled to act lie The packing was
completed Jane was sent to see to Mrs.
Miler's and the boys things. The selection
OF these our friends did not saperntend The
boxes were brought down. placed in the
wag0nette, and Horace and Herbert drove
away with them. Nothing could have been
more skilfully managed. Even Whitaker
was completely deceived.
They took the boxes, and warehouSed
them in Blacktown You see said lIor-
ace, as he turned the horses heads home
means to make lengthy stay. She must
want her things. Any woman would"
Every word you spoke was the exact
truth, said Herbert, consolingly.
But they were horribly upset: 50 upset
that they forgot all about Franks impend-
ing visit, or forgot about it until the next
when they found it was too late to
telegraph.
Frank, with hope eternal growing like
an eucalyptus, came down as he had fore
warned his friends, by the morning train.
lie was rather surprised at not seeing his
two tall cousins on the platform. or any signs |
Of the wagOnettc outside the station He I
secured hanson, and drove straight to /
Lakewood House
Whitaker opened the door. "All well, /
Whitaker asked Canuthers cheerily. lie |
lid not hear the servants reply, for at that
moment Horace and Herbert appeared and
shook hands heartily. They took him into
he dining-r0om and once more the three
ncn shook hands.
''Well, how are YOU both?" asked Frank.
They told him they were quite well, but. all
he same, Frank knew by their solemn faces
hat something had gone wrong lie Won
crcd what the cook had been up To.
And Miss Clauson? Bcatricc?' he cOntin-
ed with an assumption Of careleSSnesS, but
lnging for the door to open and admit her.
Inc Talberts exchanged sad glances.
Beatrice said Horace, ''is-not here"
His voice was so solemn that Franks blood
an cold. Horace WAS not addicted to the
Sc of canting coloquisms, but the words
'ere spoken in such 4 way that Frank be-
eyed mot here" mISt inevitably be follow
4 by but gone above" lie was immensely
nlieved when the speaker stopped short.
Not here he said 'Gone out, YOU mean.
~ greetings must wait
The brothers eyes sought counsel Of one
mother. Beatrice went to London yester-
ay," said Horace. Frank seemed much
stOniShed.
20 London! She left London only few
n. y. I. =.