Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-07-12
CHAPTER XVll-CoSTINusp

Miss Clauson flushed to the roots of her
hair. Sha seemed about TO speak, but chcckct,
herself. "You are satisfied nowy' she asked
after pause.
'Oh, yes, miss. Oh, I am 30 sorry for Won.
You were right TO trust me. Not n word
shall pass my lips"
"But your Lusband'
"Oh, dcnri oh, dear! must do the best I
can. lmust tell him it Is not ours. He will
DO SO unhappy. He's a good man and a kind
husband, but rather excitablc. assure you,
miss, hs wasfully convinced that sweet little
10Y WITS his, Town wasn't. but humored
MIN, seeing tho thought mnde him 90 hsppv.
Anyway would have loved the boy like
my own. Nov promise you there shall bo
no moro trouble But my poor man, no will
be disappointed
"Will any sum Of money" began Bea-
tricc rather timidly.
"Oh, no. miss. Although Rawlings has
neglected business drcadfully for the last
two years, rnd his brother is grumbling, we
are fairly wcll-to-do people with tidy bit
saved. Oh, 10, my man is single-eyed He
only wanted his boy"
"How was your child lost" asked Boa.
trca.
Mrs. Rawlings looked rather confused.
VI can't help believing, miss, that the poor
little fellow was drowned and never found
But Rawlings he won't have IL so. He saws
he was stolen and we shall find him some
day"
After this Miss Clauson thanked her hostess
with grave dignity. Then she dropped her
veil and attended by Mrs. Rawlings went
back to the cab and Sylvanus. She had
gained her end but at price only known t.
herself. What it had cost her to reveal the
secret of her life to that strange woman can
scarcely be over estimated. Such was her
feeling Of degradation that she almost wished
that her uncles had been in tho room when
yesterday she went with the child In her
hand to tell them what she had to-day told
Mrs Rawlings. "And after ALL" she mur-
murel with bitter smile on her face, 'it Is
but staving off the crash which must come
sooner or later" Here she sighed involun-
tarilv. Mordle's quick ear caught thesound
Nothing unpleasant happened, hopef he
asked
my business was not Of the pleasantest
nature, but accomplished it SUCCESSFULLY >
replied Beatrice.
He said no more BY her desire she was
set down ut ono Of tho principal shops in
BlacEtown, nm emporium Of articles of femi-
nine need into which Morde could not ven.
ture to accompany her. She thanked him
for his services, and he knew that those
thank were dismissal. He strobe back to
OakIury looking very thoughtful; indeed Il
was not until lie was well into bis own parish
that he remembered the necessity of resum-
ing his usual cheerful air. at must have
been charitable" he muttered. "But why
tho secrecy. Why the Cat and Com
passcsH"
Sa .urday came. All that morning, the
busiest Of the week, Horace and Herbert
were fidgety and uncomfortable. Long be-
fore the hour fixed by Messrs. Blackett &.
Wiggens for tho appearance Of their client.
carriage tho brothers We're glancing down
the drive. Miss Clauson, however, appeared
calm md ut her ease. Her woinan's instinct
told her that all danger from the claimants
was at an end. About 3 o'clock Horace
turned to her. "My DEAR he said "has
Mrs. Miller made any preparation for the
child's departure,"
"Nonc whatever. He will not be sent for.
1t was but IN idle threat"
Horace and Herbert exchanged glances
They knew it was no idle threat, but they
little knew how tho fulfillment had beon
averted.
Three o'clock came-four--fve o'clock
but 10 carriage, no Rawlings no Blackett
ho " iSStiI'' touEuhy, siouuhy hHu ueSie1 }
passed without any sign or manifestation o.
hostility. Tho Talberts were then bound tC
confess that their niece had judged Alright
Beatrice appears to be remarkably cleal
sighted, said Horace.
"Remarkably so" answered Herbert.
But had Sylvanus Mordle, who spent til,
evening with them, committed breach Q
faith and mentioned his excursion with Mis-
C!auson, the brothers might have suspected
they had credited their niece with a quality
To which she had no title