Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-10-16
CHAPTER XXXV.
OLD FRIENDS AGAIN.

He did not see her the next day. He
called twice; the second time she sent word
that she would rather not see him until to-
morrow. She was not i'll; she would only
rather be left alone. So in a curious, in
describable state of mind Mr.. Carruthers
spent the day in wandering about Munich.
On the morrow he called and was ad-
mitted. He found Beatrice alone. She
looked pale, but very beautiful. He noticed
at once change in her manner. A certain
graceful timidity and shyness seemed to
have fallen upon her, which added new
charm to the girl he had hitherto found so
calm and self-possessed. Beatrice, 1t may
be, noticed a change also in Carruthers'
bearing
''Tell me ALL" she said in low tones, as
after quiet greeting he took chair near
her.
He told her ALL How the man some
nights ago had been picked up on the rails,
almost cut in two by the wheels of an en-
CINE which had passed over him. How he
had been carried into Munich and placed in
the wartsaal. How, the usual formalities
having been Observed he had been left for
Identification, and then, with or without
Identification, for burial. He told her what
instructions he himself had given, and how
yesterday he saw his grave
Beatrice heard him without interruption
When his recital was finished she sat in deep
thought Frank watched her in silence,
Elbow did he come there, on the railroad,
Imeang' she asked at last.
Frank shook his head. ''No one can tell"
he said. ''It might have been accident, it
might have been suicide. From the position
in which he was found the authorities in
cline to the latter But he had plenty of
money in his pocket. I don't know how
much, for in these eases the exact amount is
never stated. In short, no one knows how
it happened
Frank spoke the truth. No one knew.
The railway tickets having been collected
long before Munich was reached, for all the
officials of the train knew, Hervey and Mrs.
Miller might have disembarled with other
passengers The womans box, which was
registered through to Munich, was lying in
the baggage office unclaimed. Perhaps it
lies there till this day. Her hand bag went
where such things go when left in a train.
Could the steward or the guard have seen
the dead body they might have recognized
it as that of passenger; but it was put out
of sight long before the great train came
tearing back from Cons tantinople. So nc
one in Munich knew more than was embed.
led in the official report.
''What brought him to Munich?' asked
Beatrice. ''How did be know was herea'
Frank could only shake his head again.
He must have seen Sarah" she contin.
ued, answering her own question. 'He
must have learned from her where 1 was.
Why did she not write and tell me? Some
harm may have befallen her. I wish she
was back
''Would you like to see his grave?" Frank
asked after a pause. Beatrice shivered.
F'No," she said, 1T think not-unless you
would call it unWomanly not to do SOL
''No,n said Frank. III can see no reaso
for it."
''What could 1 do at his graveg' askcl
Beatrice softly and dreamily. Zone 90
to a grave to weep. I could not weep.
After a load which one has for years car.
ried day and night, is lifted from the mind,
one does not weep, one rejoices Frank, !
dare not stand over grave and feel like
that. Let me say forgive him. I can do
no more"
mo one who knew all could ask more.n
Speak nothing but cool of the dead'"
she continued in the same dreamy wy.
"Frank, I cannot recall any good of witch
to speak, For a few weeks I loved him, or
thought loved himi tut that was years,
years ago, All me- those years! All I can
now do is to say ! will speak no evil of him:
He is dead 1 forgive him, and will try and
forget him."
For the first time the tears rose to her
eyes. There was a long pause. Beatrice
and Frank We're now standing. He took
Aef hands in his and held them
Notwithstanding, he whispered. ''bq
you remember the words you said a few
DAYS ago-said in this very rooms When