The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-08-01

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for and ex, loring every path which might
possibly offer a way Of escape from diff
Guilty. But it seemed as II every path She
trod mentally resolved itself into cut de sac,
for the girl heaved hopeless sigh and this
tears at last began to force themselves
through her half closed lasheS,
She rose, rang the bell, and gave orders Tor
the boy to be brought to her. he soon ran
into the room with the cry Of delight with
which he always greeted her. Miss Clauson
took the little fellow on her lap, clasped hlm
TO her heart, stroked and curled his pretty,
ruffled bright hair, called him by "a thousand
endearirg names and strange diminutlves,
kissed him on his lips, his eyes, his neck, his
dimpled arms and fat legs, and generally
went through the well-known ceremony OF
child worship. 1t was clear that no legal
menace. however dire, would make her ac-
auiesce in the tame surrender OF her pet con-
templated by her uncles. Not che of her
many and rather wild calculations SO much
as limited at the possibility Of an impending
separation. In no sense were her caresSes,
some Of which were fearful ones, intended as
a farewell.
By and by, with face even paler than
before. Beatrice t~ok the child by the hand
and went down stairs. She paused for
second before the closed door Of the room in
which she had left her unclcs. Il can see no
other way. 1t must be done" she muttered.
Then, like one full of solemn purpose, she
entered the room. Whatever she may have
been about to do tho empty room seemed to
give her welcome respite. She gave
breath of relief Nevertheless, it seemed
that the respite was to be but short, for,
after waiting a few minutes md finding
neither Horace nor Herbert appear, she
turned as if to go in search OF them.
But at that moment her mood changed
once more, or an alternative course at last
presented itself A tinge OF color leaped
back to her cheek. With quick steps she
led the boy away, and having consigned him
to Mrs Mllers care, again sought her own
room, and again sat for long time in deep
thought. 1T is but a slender chance" she
whispered, "but it can be tried. To-day is
Thursday, and 10 steps can be taken until
Saturday.
After this she wrote a note to Sylvanus
Mordle, asking him if he could come to the
house and see her either that afternoon or
early the next morning. She sent the note
down to the village and then went in scare
! of her uncles.
They looked at her rather timidly, perhaps
]
come to renew her argument and offer up
fresh entreaties. 1t may be they feared that
in such an event they would be forced TO
Weld, in spite of tho consequences sucha act
of weakness must email. but Beatrice did
not reopen the a tack. She quietly a ked il
she might have the clothes worn by the boy
when he nrsJ disturbed the seclusion of
Lakewood House; which clothes, 1t may be
remembered, were carefully slowed away by
Horace in the big safe. AS there appeared
to be no harm in the gratifying OF this re-
cn,est the safe was unlocked, and neat
brown paper parcel Endorsed in Horace's
long, slim caligraphy given to the girl.
"You will not answer the solicitor letter,
hope she said.
$40; it needs no answer The delivery Of
the boy will be answer enough
| In the afternoon Sylvanus trotted up on
his tricycle. His face was radiant from the
combined effects of the sharp, fresh air, the
exercise, and the delight at having received
such summons from Miss Ciauson. To-day
he was leagues above his lugubrious name.
He clapped his hands together, not so much
for the purpose OF promoting circulation as
ON account of the cheerfulsound OF the detona-
tons made by the meeting palms He wished
old Whitaker a happy new year in way
which clearly implied that happy years were
the rule, sad ones the exception. Whitaker
returned the greeting with due respect, and
vcntured to express his approval of Mr.. Nor
dies Christmas Day sermon. Then Mordle
said something which made even Whitaker
laugh. Miss Clauson heard the curate's
brisk, crisp voice long before he was shown
into the drawing room.
He greeted her pleasantly, and learned
that her uncles were out. As the Talberts
ALWAYS took their oit-of-door exercise or an
afternoon, this news was no surprise to him.
Who shall say that Sylvanus did not time
his call by tha.r well known clock-work hab-
its, A tete-a- etc j., often pleasant, although
the two leads laruor no thoughts save those
of friendship.
"You want me, said Sylvanus. 'Behold
me. Here | am
Il want YOU to do me favor, so ven
tured to write to YOU" Beatrices words
were conventional, but there was something
in her manner which made the quick-witted
curate wonder.
Command me--in anything
ALL He spoke even more quickly and
alphabetically than was his wont. In his
heart the good fellow fancied his AID was
needed for something concerning Carruthers,
whom he persisted IN believing Beatrice
loved. Nevertheless, he would willingly
have done all he could to help to happiness
the man who had taken every vestige Of
hope from him.
But Hhe favor resolved itself into this
Would Mr. Mordle accompany Mss Clauson
tomorrow morning to Blaclitown. She had
a private errand which took her to part of
the city of which she knew little or nothing.
Sylvanus felt and expressed himself greatly
honored. At what time should he call for
herr Would she walk or drive! Beatrice
looked at him and spoke very slowly and as
if with an effort.
~ wish no one-not even my uncles-to
know Of this excursion" she said. "Would
YOU meet me at the cross roads at 10 o'clock
tomorrow morning! II l trespass on your
time or good nature please say So"
"Trespassl By no means. Ten o'clock. /
shall be waiting for YOU"
Nevertheless Sylvanus was surprised, even
troubled. To have refused to do Miss Clau-
son a service, whatever it might be, was of
course out Of the question, but being oren as
the day in all his comings and going lie had
a dislike to any proceedings when savored
of the mysterious. "Errand OF charity, of
he s,;i making tho