The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-09-05
a Family AFFklR.
BY HUGH CONWAY.
CHAPTER XVI.
A WORD IN SEASON.


After one or two unsuccessful attempts
Carruthor, found Mr5 John Rawlings in
stalled behind the family counter ut No. l42
Gray street. She was very hard at work
no doubt cnAaavcrng 10 make up for her
husbands repe tel absences. In her hands
she held what appeared like long salmon
colored two-inch rope which, by dexterous
twist of the wrist, or some manipulation only
known to the initiated, She was rapidly trans
forming INTO orname tai and symmetrical
fastoOnS Of those luscious articles OF diet,
sau.ages. upn learning that Carruthers
wished to speak to her III private sh3 wiped
her hands ON u cloth, and, lifting up a flap,
or species of dlawbriige, i'll the counter
begged he would step through AMI follow
her upstairs.
He did So and was shown into what Mrs.
Rawlings called the parlor; room papered
with n startling paper, carpeted with
dazzling carpet; furnished with imitation
walnut chairs and couch upholstered in tho
brightest blue tapestry; the mantel piece
beai ing a mirror in FURNISHED gilt frame,
and, among other gay ornaments, huge
pair of those glass vases with suspended
rrisms known as lustres; the fire glOwed
very brightly, and was kept in order by n
fender and lireirons of flashing steel. 1t was,
in fact, a room which appeared to open its
eyes and glare at yon rs you entered. A
man even more anxious and prcoccupied
than Frank was could not fail 10 be struck
with the general effect IL would have been
positively ungracious not 10 have noticed 1t.
"What bright room" he said,
alt is a bright room, said Mrs. Rawlings
IN gratGe1 way. You see, SIR, we often
kill as maay us thirty pigs before break
FAST
This seemed depression without bearing
upon the main subject. Poor things" said
I.a..';, without making it cloar whether he
referred to tho pigs or their slayers.
AT first, when ! married Rawlings,
found it melancholy business; SO ! mad,
up my mind to have everything away from
the factory bright and cheerful"
'Yoa have succeeded here said Frank,
rs h. 'uod the azure coversl G air offered
him.
Il hope 80 You see, sir" continued Mrs.
Rawlings EVERY business has its drawbacks
as well ms its advantages. Many don't like
tue pork business, but it's "A nice clean bus-
ness-theres no dust about it like there Il
about baking. ! bate dust of any sort"
At another time Carruthers might have
been amused and have tried to draw this
woman out but he was now only anxious to
hear about Beatrice, so he commenced his
inqusition
Yes; Mrs. Rawlings had been at Black
town. She had stayed at the Cat and
Compasses She, or rather her husband,
had believed little boy TO be their missing
son. young lady had called upon her
one morning. She gave no name, but she
was tall Young lady; very handsome; and
with gray eyes; beautifully dressed; IN fact,
quite young lady. Yes, poor thingl quite
lady.
Would Mrs Rawlings tell her visitor what
had been said or done at that interview
On, no-never The good woman shut her
eyes, pressed her lips, and shook her
head slowly and solemnly; tbs combined
effects of these actions being meant to show
that Beatrlces communication was forever
locked up in the sacred repository Of her
heart.
Mrs Rawlings really meant to keep Bea-
trice's secret, and doubtless had no pressure
been applied she would have kept it Loyalty.
But unluckily she was one of those who have
10 struggle to retain q secret, not only its
main BODY, but little corners which would
slip out unawares. In trying to guard Bea-
trees secret from her visitors renewed
questions she was like one trying to pack a
feather bed into a travelling trunk; as one
part was pushed down another part rose up.
The words poor thingi" applied to Beatrics
had already raised Franks curiosity TO the
highest pitch, and made him believe that the
present inquiry was not collateral.
Was be justified in striving to learn what
Beatrice wished hidl He thought So He loved
her with a pure, unselfish love; 50 unselfish
that he was not endea yoring TO find the
cause OF her flight for his own ends, but In
order 10 be able to give her aid IL she re-
quired IT, Yes, the man who loved her had
0 right to try and learn all about the woman
whom be believed loved him. Besides, had
Beatrice 10 any way bound this woman 70