Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-09-18

LrlenQS.
Sorry for one ~thing-only one. That
didn't join these hands Would have given
worlds-anything-gone to Munich on pur-
pose. NEEDN'T tell either of you why ]
wished to do it."
The last words were spoken with genuine
feeling. Mr.. and Mrs. Carruther pressed
the curatss hands and thanked him for his
good wishes. When they left him Sylvanus
called for his tricycle. and propelled himself
ten miles out and ten miles home again. He
did so, he told himself, to keep his wind up
to sermon mark. He was unwilling to cen
TESS that the need for such violent bodily
exercise was brought about by the sight OF
Beatrice as a bride.
That night at Lakewood House the table
was as tastefully laid, the napery as smooth
and spotless, the glass as lustrous, the wines
as unlmpeachable, the crockery as perfect
as ever. Frank did nearly all the talking.
He spoke of his future plans, of the life be
and Beatrice meant to lead, as coolly as il
all her friends had been at her wedding.
Beatrice said very little. She was simply,
quietly happy. Horace thought the young
couple behaved very well. As he remarked
to Herbert a~fterward, "There were none Of
those embarrassing little familiarities whict
so often make the company of a bride an6
bridegroom-well, undesirable"
Beatrice left the men and strolled through
the garden. Horace and Herbert then filled
their glasses, and in a courtlv way wished
Frank every happiness. Not" said Hor.
ace, that we can honestly say we approve
o your having been marriel in this clandes-
tine way. But you may, of course, have
had good reasons for it,"
"We had good reasons" said Frank.
"We think, however, we have a right tc
ask for an explanation of Beatrice's strange
conduct-her fight aHd concealment"
Certainly" said Herbert, most certain.
ly."
So Frank told them all. As he had the
command Of language and spoke in earnest
tones, as he had the skill to make certain
shadows look lighter, and to bring out STRONG
points in his clients favor most strongly: as
hecould speak of what she had endured, ano
so invoke pity as well as mercy, Beatrice
could scarcely have found a better advo
cate.
But Horace! Herbert! A line of notes OF
exclamation would not properly express
their surprise. With eyes fxe1 on the
speaker they listened like persons under 6
spell. Even when Frank had said his say
they continued to gaze at him. Horace
was the first to speak. rs this true2n be
gasped.
Every word of it-poor grip said Frank.
Then sail Horace, with his no appeal
manner, 1--WE can never forgive heP-never
see her again. Nevern
he glanced at Herbert, as If expecting tbs
usual echo. But it didn) come. Frank rose
Very well; then there's nothing more tt
be said. Iii go and tell my wife to put her
things on. Which is the best Blacktown
hotelF'
This was a staggering shot. 1t was 6
cruel shot. Carruthers was right when he
said it would take a great deal to make thu
Talberts turn even a dog away.
give us a few minutes to talk # over
said Herbert. Let us leave you here fol
awhile"
"No. I'll go into the garden. cam
give you more than twenty minutes, because
most of our things are unpacked, and it Is
growing late"
Before he left them he spoke again; this
time with all his former earnestness,
"Horace, Herbert,'' he said, turning from
one to the other. "In talking this over, re-
member, that if you cannot forgive her we
must be strangers hereafter. By casting her
off you give the world a right to say what
it chooses. Remember, also, she Is my wife
that she loves you-that she is even now
ON thorns Of suspense awaiting your de-
cision."
With this he Ieat them, went into the a
den, and, out OF sight OF the house, walked
with his arm around Be atrice and babe he1
be Of good cheer.
Before the twenty minutes had expired,
Whitaker came to inform them that Mr..
Talbert desired him to say that tea was
waiting in the drawing-room Frank
smiled, drew Beatrice's trembling arm
within his own and led her indoors. As
soon as Whitaker had Withdrawn after
handing round the tea Horace spoke. He
was standlug up, his cup in mis- land, and
his calm eyes secuted to be gazing at nothing.
my dear Beatrice, ne said very grayely,
II think if you and Frank could manage &C
prolong your stay till tomorrow week W {
might ask a few friends to meet you at din
ner. The invitation will be a short one, but
under the circumstances will no doubt be
excused
Carruthers turned away to hide a SMILE.
Yet he felt that, considering who the
speaker was, no words could have been bet
ter, more judiciously or more delicately
chosen to express the fact that Horace and
Herbert had decided to forgive the culprit,
and not only to say no more about her mis-
deeds, but, also, if necessary, show thu
world that they took her part. Ii was {
triumph.
No more was said; but Beatrice could no.
Yoenoi, from latino n Favv ta1,, 20 z-.Ask.l
bedew Horaces immaculate shirt front. o.
from sitting for a little while with Herbert4
hand in hers.
Sir MaiDgay had, Of course, to be told all
This was a painful task, as telling Sir Main
gay meant telling Lady Ciausan. Her lady
ship had her revenge by being able to say
the girl had, after all, ''done something dis
graceful" but as she thinks a great dea
about the honor of her husbands family
she will not proclaim the correctness q
her estimate OF Baatrice's character.
And others will have to be told Tht
Oakbury people will hear a great deal
They will shake their heads and gossip
But fortunately, OF unfortunately, Mr..
and Mrs. Carruthers' future life will no
be spent among these families OF position
so such gossip will matter little to them
They will live in the great world OK Lon
don, and Frank CarruUheIs may OF maj
not become a famous man. At any rate b
will be a happy one.
And BeaUricel Beatrice will make {
circle of friends. No secret will be made Of
the facts that she has been twice married
and that little Harry is her child by her frs
husband. And if some day it should b,
whispered in that circle that for some rea
sons only known to herself she passed fol
years as a single woman when she was {
wife-what will it matter 2 Better that thar
passing as a wife when a woman Is singla