Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-05-17

ueny themselves the pleasure OF caii,ng on
and cross-examiDing q former mistress, they
thought this woman might do.
Beatrice had no doubt about it and upon
such inquiries as could be made being an
swered satisfactorily, Mrs. Miller was in
stalled In the place Of the frail failure whose
escapade with the gardener had lowered the
whole moral tone Of the establishment. A
giddy girl in a bachelors establishment
means destruction.
But Mrs Miller was q very different mat
ter. Miss Clauson found her perfection
nimble-handctl, kind and experienced-more-
over, quite qualified to fulfil the duties of
lady's maid when occasion required. Whit
taker approved Of her. She was a coadiutor
after his own respectable heart. The first one
to he considered, the boy, took to her as read
lily as he had taken to Beatrice. Horace and
Herbert, In spite Of the sharp lookout they
kept for while, could find no flaw in her
conduct, and when at the end of two months
they ascertained that she had used less aoap--
four cakes less than her predecessor had dur
ing her short stay, they began to think they
had acquired a treasure.
"For the child looks as clean as ever ~ said
Herbert to Horace ~ always felt sure that
girl left the soap In the hot water and forgot
ell about it,"
The last winter months and tho spring
months passed very quietly at Huzlewood
House. The Talberts and their niece dined
occasionally with the best families in the
neighborhood, and in return the Talberts
asked the best families to dine with them. The
,even days wonder about the boy llad almost
lied away. Everyone, Of course, selt sure he
was somebody, but no one knew what body,
II there was any scandal the serene brothers
heard 1t not. istrue that old LAdy Bowker,
avery important Parsonage, paid them a visit
On purpose to find out all about everything.
She had known the Talberts as boys, SO felt
entitled to ask them point blank for an explain
alton. People who have known you as q
oy are, as a rule, great nuisances.
She told them she wanted to speak to them
on private business, % Beatrice left the room.
Then she turned from one to the other Of the
grave, long faced men:
"Now, Horace; now, Herbert, what Is the
meaning Of this affair3 Who is the boy you
are making such fuss aboutf'
II don't think we ever make fusses,n y said
Herbert In deprecating way.
Certainly not, " said Horace, with decision,
swell, mysteries then; we all want to know
who this child really is--the child who came
in the dead Of night wrapped up in an anti
macassar or something-came by Pickford's
van, am told"
II wish you could tell us, Lady Bowker.
We know no more than you do"
"That's all nonsense, Horace. hear you
have engaged nurse, and that the child Is to
stay with you. think you are most incon-
siderate."
1--WE are never inconsiderate," >" said Horace.
"Certainly not" said his brother.
eyes, you are. You are inconsiderate in
not letting at least one safe, discreet person
into the secret. Some one like myself who
could vouch for you"
"We don't want to be vouched for"
"Yes, you dol don't see that you are any
better than other people"
Lady Bowker was growing cross at their
mild obstinacy.
"You are most inconsiderate towards Miss
Clauson. Here, a week after she comes to
live with you, this infant makes its appear
ance. OF course people say you were only
waiting until there was q lady at Hazlewood
House to look after him."
''They say that, do theyT' asked Horace,
reHectively.
"What else can they sayi don't say 80;
but then have known you SO long. I say
that you have some excellent reason for keep
ing this child; but you ought to tell one per-
,on at least who he really is."
"But we don't know"
eyes, you do. Now tell me, like good
men,"
They repeated their simple statement, add
ing that the child was kept by Beatrice's ex-
press wish; also because they hoped the
mystery would one day be solved; and be-
cause they themselves felt friendly DISPOSE
ton toward the little waif.
~ don't believe a word of it," said Lady
Bowker rudely, and rising to go. The brothers
smiled calmly.
"You will only have yourselves to blame for
the scandal" continued their visitor. Still
they smiled.
'iDear Lady Bowker," said Horace, soft
ly, twill you still ask us to dinner occasion
shyr,
"Of course shall"
Sand still honor Hazlewood House with
your presence"
"Yes-when you ask me-"
"Then," said Horace, 1--WE feel we can hold
our own against the world"
Lady Bowker drove away in a thorough
bad temper, but feeling more certain than
sver that the child was somebody. Indeed,
she managed to convey to most people the
impression that she was in the secret.
"Lady Bowker is trife vulgar sometimes"
said Horace sadly.
''She is scented Herbert.
1t was O painful thing for them to be COM
PEELED to make such an accusation against
well~known member of the aristocracy; but
they were conscientious men, and spoke the
truth even when it lacerated their feelings.
Then in a quiet, methodical manner they
went to work and busted all the Oriental china
In large cabinet on the first landing. They
were fond of Oriental china, which they con-
idered the aristocrat Of ceramics.
It is of course proud position for man to
hold when he feels he can defy the scandal of
place like Oakbury, but nevertheless Horace
Talbert was much annoyed, and as week after
week went by this annoyance increased. He
thought that Herbert should have spoken to
him. He had waived his objections to keep
ing the child at Hazlewood House, and now
that the matter was settled Herbert ought to
have told him everything. Faithful to his
creed of nOn-interference he said or showed
nothing of his state Of mind until the great
June audit came round.
The great June audit was this: We have
seen how exactly just the brothers were
towards one another in the matter of
pounds, shillings and pence, SO it will be
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