Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-09-11
A Family: Affair
BY HUGH CONWAY
Author of "Cazzed BaclS' and sDark Days
[Cozatinase7 from last aoeek.

"My dear Frank" said Horace, "some
thing strange has happened, but it is SC
strictly family affair that we are consider
ing whether we ought to mention it to you
Not but what your advice might be of serv
ice to u.s.
Frank grew seriously alarmed. "But
am one of the family he said hastily. The
Talberts shook their heads doubtfully. They
were not sure about it. The family con
sisted of two, or, counting in Beatrice, three
at the outside.
81 have another light to know-a stronger
right still" said Carruthers, who was on
thorns of suspense. ''There is no reason
why should make secret of it. I have
loved Beatrice since the day we met. Ny
one hope is to make her my wife. claim
the right to know anything that concerns
herr
The establishment depicted on the brothers
faces spoke volumes in favor of their trust
full natures or Franks circumspect lovemak-
ing. ''Good heavens, Frank!n calculated
Horace.
Eyes; [ asked her to marry me before I
left here last autumn. She refused; was
now going to repeat my offer"
''She refused youg' asked Horace
eyes" said Frank, sadly. ''But what is
the matter? For Heavens sake tell me-"
Herbert" said Horace, 81 believe this
gives us the clue to the mystery" Herbert
nodded
'What cluea What mysterys My COCA
fellows, don't you see you are driving me
mad?' said Carruthers.
Beatrice left us yesterday. This morn
ing we received this letter" The letter was
handed to Frank, and whilst he read it the
brothers drew aside and talked in whispers.
Franks establishment need not be described.
Like his cousins, he could only calculate,
''What does it meanP'
Horace and Herbert came forward. Her.
bert spoke As the romantic side of the
question had again turned up, it was felt
RIGHT for him to be spokesman. ''Frank,"
he said. ''we do not wish to misjudge you,
but the fact of Beatrice's having refused you,
and of your coming down to renew the offer,
makes us think that she must have fled to
avoid YOU We know little about such mat
ters ourselves, but we have heard Of young
girls flying to get out of the way of distaste-
ful-ahen, what shall say?-"
Persecution" put in Horace.
no, the word is too strong-distasteful
advances, Frank This is, of course, a mat
ter entirely between yourself and your con-
science"
As the Grafton proceeded Frank stared
from one to the other. Then he burst into
short peal of laughter. In spite of his anx-
iety about Beatrice, the situation over
powered him.
s'There is nothing to laugh at Frank" said
Horace.
ssThere is madness, sheer madness in the
air. my good men," said Carruthers. "Do
look like man who would subject a woman
to distasteful persecution? Hang it! I am
prouder than you are. ] had Beatrice's per-
mission to come. Perhaps you may know
that it was arranged that we should travel
down together?"
They remembered that Beatrice had told
them this, and at once saw the folly of their
new theory. They apologized humbly to
Frank No men in this world could apologize
more gracefully than our friends. Then they
talked the whole matter over again, without
any result Frank did not say much He
wanted solitude and quiet thought. By and
by the wagonette came round to the door.
''You must excuse our not having sent TO
meet you," said Horace. 'The truth is the
reads are dirty and we could not have had
the wagonette cleaned in time to take us
out"
''Where are you going; for drive 2"
wv e are going W lldho d IouIeh VI eetiio'
Frank marveled, and thought that under
the circumstances this social amenity might
have been postponed.
''It is painful, a most painful duty" said
Horace, &C but we feel it must be done. We
must go round and indirectly give our friends
to understand that Beatrice has left us under
everyday circumstances to pay long pro-
missed visit in London. We can see no other
way of arresting inquiry and scandal"
It was after hearing this that Frank under
stood how truly great was Horace's nature.
The brothers drove off. So far as time would
allow they called upon every one they could
think Of They called upon Lady Bowker,
who had known them from boys they called
upon Mrs Catesby, the stately, yet affable,
well-dowered and better connected widow,
who loved artistic society they called upon
the rector's wife upon the Purtons, upon
the Fletchers, upon many aristocratic and
few simply opulent persons. Being such
universal favorites with the ladies they had
no scruple in continuing their calls even to
the very latest moment allowed by society.
Then they drove home feeling they had done
all they could to throw curtain over
Beatrice's extraordinary indiscretion.