Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-07-24
CHAPTER XIV.
AN OUTRAGE ON WHITAKER

Carruthers, when Horace and Herbert
went forth at the call of duty, had asked
that Beatrice's letter might be left with him.
AS he had fully proved his right to be
admitted to the family council his request
was readily granted. With the letter in his
hand he vent into the library and pondered
what had happened. The question he had
to solve was what motive could have been
strong enough to force Beatrice to take such
a stepl
He had heard from Horace all about the
claim made upon the child, and this had ex-
planned a matter which had for some days
been troubling him greatly, namely, Bea-
trice's abrupt departure from London. But
here he could see no strong motive. The
claim was abandoned, or at least lay quies-
cent Besides, Beatrice, as he judged her,
was far more likely to fight than to fly.
He dismissed anything to do with the boy,
or at least put it aside to be inquired into
~collaterally. -, ,
Herbert, too had limited his idea about an
attachment. Frank having ascertained
that no shadow Of suspicion Of such a thing
hung over Beatrice; sternly put it out Of
sight Besides, there we're one or two recol-
lections which be carried always with him
and which rendered such a vulgar, unworthy
explanation something not far short Of
sacrilege.
He reckoned Beatrice q woman of superior
abilities logical and perfectly able to foresee
consequences. He felt that she would not
have acted as she had acted without care
fully considering what it entailed. No ro-
mantle, girlish impulse had hurried her
away; no eccentricity Of character had led
her to shape such a course The reason,
whatever 1t might be, was to her mind am
ply sufficient. (
She was unhappy. Her own words said
% Did SOM danger overhang herr Did
some evil threaten herr What dangeri
What evilg Why could not be, Frank Car
ruthers be at her side to shield and aida
Heaven knows be would do it and seek no
reward. M
He groaned. He was very miserable and
cast down. 1t was In this very room he bad
bemoanedhis first sorrow. Hehad recovered
from that and had encouraged himself to
hope that the woman he loved would, after
all, be his And now to come and find her
gone-gone without a word-gone no one
knew Rhither-no n knew whyl To feel
that she was flying from ONE menacing evil
and yet not know what. He was very un-
happy.
He had come down with such news for her
news which wen as a friend she would
have been glad to hear. He had breathed nc
word Of ii to her In London; had resolved e
say nothing about it until all was settled.
At last be saw his way to giving up the
drudgery of teaching what be bitterly called
fools. He had for years been a thrifty man,
and the money he had saved was not a small
sum. For years he had dreamed Of hteratur,
as o profession, and now he saw his way to q
realization Of that dream His political
articles had attracted attention He hac
been offered an important journalistic post
A manuscript from which he expected greaI
things was in the printers hands. He saw {
certain amount Of Fenown If not forum,
waiting Tor him. All this he had come down
to tell Beatrice before be went back to Ok
ford, wound up his affairs and babe tn
classic town farewell.
It seemed as II, whenever he counted OF
draining the cup Of joy, 1t was struck from
his lipsl
BE must find Beatrice. Sacred as her wisl
not to betraced might be TO Horace an,
Herbert Frank felt that It did not aRec
him He would NOT of course stoop to call
ing In detective aid, but the utmost he coull
do TO solve the mystery should be done. 7
Frank, Beatrice's flight appeared IN a ia
more serious light than It did to her uncles