The Dillon tribune., 1885-07-04
A FAMILY AFFAIR
BY HUGH CONW AY,
Author of "Called Back" aud Ozark Days.
CLQbfey A/T Continued.

author Of "C1lled Back" and ozark DdyS
CHAPTER A/T Continued.
Frank, in . moody, sullen way, wacthed
Horace and Herbert as they went from win
dow to window trying shutters and bars and
bolts. He did not smile even when Horace
gravely and deliberately counted the forks
and spoons in Whittaker's basket-the extra
plate given out for dinner-parties-
Herbert blended two half -emptied bottles of
sherry and made one full one The domestic
duties were at last finished; the bottles locked
TIP, the spoons and forks snugly tucked up in
little chamois leather bags, ready to be put
to rest in the safe until again wanted.
Horace and Herbert looked at Frank.
''3hall we go to bed now. or would you
like 10 stay up iongerf'
Frank started out Of his reverie. He did
not feel in tho least inclined for bed.
III you don't mind, he said, II will 60
into the library rand write some letters. The
fresh air has made mo SO wide awake that l
shan't b. able TO sleep for long time."
They did mind, Of course; but were too
polite to say SO. Whitaker was ordered to
take thu lamp into the library, and Frank
bade his cousins good night.
"Please turn the wick down low before you
slO" IL OUt, 4AOA0Cos
And" entreated Herbert, s'would you
mind turning the hearthrug upside down when
you leave the room3 It makes it last 50
much longer"
Frank promised, wondering the while why
the constitution Of a hearthrug was such that
the night and early morning air impaired it.
Then he sought the library, closed the door,
and was alone with his own thoughts.
There is no occasion to recapitulate these.
We have had them all before, and they grew
no more cheerful. Even Mr.. Carruthers got
tired Of them at last, and to break the mon-
otony made q pretence Of writing letter to
a friend. But the sight Of pen and paper
woke q strong temptation to say again by
their aid all he had already said to Beatrice,
a. we'll as all he meant to say when cut 60
suddenly short. But his pride would not
allow him to break 50 quickly his resolution
number three.
Then he tried to read. Naturally he turned
to poetry. All lovers turn to it as inevitably
as duck docs to water. He took Tennyson
from the shelf, and for the first tin,e in his
life sympathized with the ill-used, egotistical
hero of Locksley Hall. After this he CHANGED
upon q volume Of Mrs. Browning's, and read
all about the poet who, although SO passion
ately in love with Lady Geraldine, was thick
headed enough not to be able to detect the
existence Of o corresponding sentiment on the
part Of her ladyship.
And just as Mr.. Carruthers reached the part
where the lovely lady comes by night, passes
through tho poets window, and in rather a
forward way does all tho wooing, he heard q
light, faint finger-tap on the library door. A
wild but not altogether unnatural thought
ran through him. Was . second Lady Ger
aldine episode about to occur! Could it be
that Beatrice
He ran to the door and threw 1t open. On
the threshold stood, not Beatrice, but-terri-
BILE disappointment black-robed figure of
M,s. Miller, the nurse. What in the world
could this sombre, uninteresting woman want
with him at this hour Of the night!
"You-Mrs. Miller!" he exclaimed. "Is
anything the matter?'
MAY come in, sir4' she asked.
Certainly; what can do for your
She entered the room and carefully closed
tho door. Franks wonderment grew. He
could not help picturing the disnay which
would fall upon Horace and Herbert had they
known that at o'clock in the morning he
was conversing with female member Of
their establishment.
Mrs. Miller drew near to him. ''AIay speak
few words to you, Mr.. Carruthersg' She
asked the favor respectfully, but a. one who
fully expected it would be granted.
'Speak away, " said Frank, good-naturedly.
but is there anything wrong in the
houseS>
''Nothing moro than you know of, SIR"
der words bore a meaning which did not
escape Carruthers. They told him that Mrs.
Miller was quite aware Of what had taken
place between him and Beatrice. He WINGED
mentally. Tho Thought of his rejection be.
coming the gossip OF tho servants hall was
not pleasant.
"Well, let mo hear what you have to say. "
He spoke with moro a.spe-ity than usual
Tho strange visitor laid her hand ON his
arm. She was a tall woman, he WA a man
Of middle height. SO tho faces of the two were
all but on a level F:::,!!s, who had neve,
until now ta.:nn particular notice of thu
narse, was much struck by the wild, intense
look In tloso dark eyes which cleaned from
the white, wo-n-looking face. He began t.
wonder II her wits wcro all right. But she
spoke sc:sibly, although there was passion il
her voice.
"M:. Carruthers," she said, ''tell me- how
much you love Miss Beatrice"
Tho sudden question staggered as we'll a.
annoyed Frank. Ho frow,,el. II am not in
the habit Of making condolences to-to stran
gers He was going to say ''inferiors," bu,
it was word he hated using
''Oh, sir; don't misunderstood me- Tel
mo- tho woman spoke with startling ear
nestness-''tell mo: set my mind at rest
Let mo know that You lovo her with all YOU
heart and soui-:kat tho very ground he
foot presses is holy to ynu-that you coul,
cherish her, care for her, be true to her un
til death! Tell mo this and make me- happy
Surely YOU nr" not ashamed Of loving hcr!'
Her manner was 80 imp 'esssive that Car
fpr fk,sAp