The Dillon tribune., 1885-08-01
A FAMILY AFFAIR
BY HUGH CONW .AY,
author of"Cnlled Back" and Ozark Days.
CMubfry .i.N/// Continued.

lhen Jane wanted TO know winch dresses
The two new ones, of course. Then what
The black silk, the black lace. the high body
with jet trimmings. the brocade upper skirt
or what. For the moment even Horace wa.
at fault. He soon recovered.
I'VE will come and assist YOU he said
SO they went to Beatrices room. and with
eyeglasses fixed stood one on each side of
the trunk and superintended the packing.
Much as they delighted in odd jobs of thi,
kind, to-day the felt no pleasure. They
scarcely dared to glance at each ther. They
felt ashamed. as all honorable men do who
by irresistible stres; of circumstances are
compelled to net lie. The packing was
completed Jane was sent to see to Mrs. Mil
ler's and the boys things. The selection of
these our frienls did not superintend. The
boxes We're brought down. placed in the
wagonetta aud Horace and Herbert drove
away with them. Nothing could have been
more skillfully managed. Even Whitaker
was completely deceived.
They took the boxes and warehoused them
in Blacktown. You see" said Horace, as
he turned the horses heads homewards,
Beatrice has gone to London. She mean.
to make a lengthy stay. She must want her
things. Amy woman would
Every word you spoke was the exact
ruth" said Herbert, consolingly.
But they were horribly upset; so upset
that they forgot all about Franks impending
visit, or forgot about it until the next
morning. when they found it was too late
10 telegraph.
Frank, with ''hope eternal" growing like
II eucalyptus, came down as he had fora
warned his friends, by the morning train
He was rather surprised at not seeing hi
two tall cousins on the platform, or any
signs OF the wagonette outside the station
He secured hansom and drove straight to
Hazlewood House.
Whitaker opened the door. "All we'll.
Whittakerr' asked Carruthers cheerily. He
did not hear the servants reply, for at that
moment Horace and Herbert appeared and
shook hands heartily. They took him into
the dining room, and once more the three
men shook hands.
well, how are you bothf' asked Frank.
They told him they were quite well, but, all
the same, Frank knew by their solemn faces
that something had gone wrong. He won.
dered what the cook had been upto
"And Miss Clauson! Beatricer he con.
tinued with an assumption Of carclessness,
but longing for the door to open and admit
her. The Talberts exchanged sad glances.
Beatrice" said Horace, ''is not here"
His voice was SD solemn that Franks
blood ran cold. Horace was not addicted to
the use of canting colloquialisms, but the
words were spoken in such way that Frank
believed mot here" must inevitably be
followed by ''but gone above" He was
immensely relieved when the speaker stopped
short
mot here" he said. ''Gone out, YOU
mean. My greetings must wait"
The brothers eyes sought counsel of one
another.
Beatrice went to London Yesterday" {"
said Horace. Frank seemed much aston
ished.
ITO London! She left Lcndon only few
days ago. ls she gone hack to her father'sT'
He was already framing excuses for leaving
Hazlewood House and returning to town.
An ominous silence followed his question.
What is the matter! Is anything wrong.'
he asked in great agitation.
MY dear Frank" said Horace, ''soma-
thing strange has happened, but it is 10
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 grow seriously alarmed. ''But !
am one Of the family" he said hastily. The
Talberts shook their heads doubtfully, yhev
were not sure about it. The family con-
sisted OF two, or, counting in Beatrice. three
at the outside.
IL have another right to know-a st, onger
right stlll," said Carruthers, who vas on
thorns OF suspense. ''There is no reason
why should make secret of it, have
loved Beatrice since the day we met. NV
one hope Is to make her my wife. Iclai,n
the right to know anything that concerns
her."
The astonishment depicted on tho brothers
faces spoke volumes in favor of their trust
full natures or Franks circumsIect lovenlak.
ing. "Good heavens, Frank calculated
Horace.
''Yes; asked her to marry mo beior. [
left here last autumn Sh. refused: | wa,
now going to repeat my offer
''Sl'e refused you" asked Horace.
"ies,' said Frank. sally But what i,
the matter: For Heavens sake tell me-"
Herbert" said Horace, IL believe this
gives us the clue to :he mystery Heslevt
nodded.
''What clue: What mystery: NV gooo
fellows, don't Jou see you are driving me
n,ad!' said Carruthers.
Beatrice left us yesterday. This morn
ing we received this letter." The letter wa:
handed to Frank, and whilst he read it tho
brothers drew aside and talked in whispers.
Franks astonishment need not he described
Like his cousins, he could only ciaculate
''What does it meanF'
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, tive do not wish to misjudse you
but the fact of Beatrices having refused YOU
and Of your coming down to renew the offer
makes us think that she must have fled tc
avoid you. We know little about such mat
ters ourselves, but we have heard OF young
girls flying to get out IT the way of distaste
fnl-ahem, what shall say"