The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1885-10-08
A FAMILY AFFAIR,
BY HUGH l0N8AY,
Author Called Bach" and DARK Drya"
BY HUGH { 0NWAY,
CHAPTER XIV,
AN OUTRAGE ON WHITAKER

As he had fully proved his right TO be
admitted 10 the family council his request
was readily granted, With the letter IN his
hand be went into the library and pondered
what had happened, The question he had
h. solve was what motive could have been
strong enough 10 force Beatrice 10 take such
stepI
lie had heard from Horace all about tho
claim made upon the child, and this had ex'
planned matter which had for some days
been troubling him greatly, namely, Bea-
trice's abrupt departure from London. But
here ho could 500 no strong motive, The
claim waS abandoned or NJ least lay quiea'
cent Besi es, Beatrice, IN he judged her,
was far more likely 70 fight than TO fly
lie dismissed anything 10 do with Tho boy,
or at least put II aside TO be inquired into
collaterally
Herbert, too, had hinted his idea about an
attachment, Frank having ascertaIned
that no shadow NJ suspicion OF such thing
hung over Beatrice, stornly put II out OF
hghl, Besides, thore were one or two reco-
lections which no carried always with him
and which rendered such vulgar, unworthy
explanation something not far short OF
Hacrilego
He rockoned Beatrice a woman Of superior
abilities, logical and perfectly able 10 foresee
consequences, He felt that she would not
have acted 10 she had acted without care
fully considering what II entaied. No ro-
mantle, girlkh impulse had hurried her
away no eccontricity OF character had led
her 10 shape such course The reason,
whatever II might bo, was 70 her mind am
ply sufficient
She was unhappy. Her own words said
10, Did some danger overhang heri Did
some evil threaten hort What dangerl
What eyii Why could not he, Frank Car
Tuthera, be NJ her side 10 shiod and add
Heaven knows no would do II and seek no
reward.
lie groaned, He was very miserable and
cast down II was In this very room no had
bemoaned his first sorrow. He had recovered
hope that the woman he loved would, after
all, be his And now 10 come and find her
gone-gono without a word-gono no ono
knew whither-no ono knew why 10 feel
that she was flying from some menacing evil
and yet not know what He was very un.
happy,
He had come down with such news for her
news which even ns friend she would
have been glad 10 hear. Ile had broathed no
word OF II b. her In London; hal resolved 10
Hay nothing about IL until all was settled.
Az last ho saw his way 10 giving up tho
drudgery Of teaching what ho bitterly called
fools, lie had for years been thrifty man,
aud the money no had saved was not small
sum, For yoars he had dreamed Of literature
a. profession and now ho saw his way 10 a
realization of that dream His political
articles hal attracted attention. lilo had
been Offered an important journalistic post.
A manuscript from which he expected great
things was In tho printors hands, lilo aw a
certain amount Of rcnown II not fortune
waiting for him. All this ho had como down
70 tell Beatrice before ho went back 10 Ok.
ford wound up his affairs, aud bade the
classic town farewell,
II seemed as If, whenever no counted on
draining the cup Of JOY, II was struck from
his lips
lie must find Beatrice, Sacred as hor wish
not 10 bo traced might bo 10 Horace and
Herbert, Franz felt that Il did not affect
him, Hc would not Of course stoop TO call
ing IN detective aid, but the utmost ho could
do 10 solvo the mystery should bo done, Te
Frank, Beatllcoa flight appeared in far
more serious light than II did 20 her unclog
Ho must go and look at her portrait There
was fine ono In tho drawing room, Ho
won't thcro stood boforo II for long tlmo,
and 10 the representation Of herself vowed
chat she was tho fairost woman on earth.
well worthy for a man 10 1.-Two or die for.
Then ho began 10 rotr0co his steps TO tho
library, Az he crossed tho hall hO saw
strange sight,
Whitaker, the irropro0ohable, tho di0ni-
ned, with Indignation writton m ovory mo
Of his black-coatod limbs, was standing at
the front door against which no leaned his
full weight, whilst with his right hand no
was struggling with somo object which pro
vented him from quito ahutting the door :
Closer examination showed Frank that this '
was the end, about six inches, OF q stout |,
walking stck--a contomptiblo object yet, "a |
u was hold, powerful enough 20 foil tho old !,
servants efforts Whitaker was putting and !
blowing, not 40 much from his cxortlons IA
from anger. His face was ~ red ~ n turkey !
cocks Nothing impressed Frank moro !,
strongly with tho feeling that unusual things
were happening nj Hoslowood House than
the sight Of th' respectable old retainer in ,
Iuch abnormal difficulties,
"Whats the mattcrp ho said going 10 tho '
door
'lts man. Mr., carruthors," pufrCd out
Whitaker
"What does no wantr
''lle Oskod for Miss Clouson, sir; told
him she was away from home"
"Wcll, whnt thcnN Frank grew inter.
,stcl The parties outside ~ inside ro-
manned In the deadlock
"llo asked for her address, SIR; told him
did not know
"Wcll, whnt thcnF
"llo called mo damned liar, Mr. Car.
sald Whitaker with supreme
smotlon, aud ina voice 10 low that II showed
how ashamed he was Of the occurrcnco-"a
damned liar, sir,n Tho repetition sounded
almost fearful
"opcn the door and lot mo have n look at
him" soid Frank
~ wouldn't, Mr. Corruthcrs, II were
you, sir believe ho mcdltOtos making an
attack Of personal violence
"Noycr mind; open the door, IIo won't
personal violence me, and you can stand bo-
hind me,h
Thu, ho was hcod and shoulders tailor
lh0n i nt Whitaker felt 20 bo sarcasm.
Howey being accustomed TO oboy, ho
'ponrl 10 door, and Frank found himself
'acc g. 1ce with man about his own age.
A stror looking, muscular fellow, dressed
n the ~ hcigbt Of foshion--too far up In
act, 70 bok n gentleman.
Maur Hcrvoy, Of course Having given
Doatrcc 1ore than "a hours grace, he put In
'1eca'io hls throat Of looking her up Not
hat he ,octod TO SEQ her; not that ho was
prepare, With plan of action In case sho
proved 'calc,trant; but ho ln,w tho call
voull o IN her. II was only whom hc heard
rom W itokor that sho wns oit OF town
Mat the lea of her attempting 60 evodc him
by 0lsl occurred 10 him. II completely
throw ! or his balance, mod, him diro.
poot'u' tho old servant, and oven whom
Mat fl ctIonary replied as n eentlomans
'crvnni aould in such straits reply, byamply
,losing TO door, induced him o put his
q ~ La. l..s.. A Al. |