The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-08-29
A FAMILY AFFAIR.
BY HUGH CONWAY.
CHAPTER XIV.
AN OUTRAGE ON WHITAKER.


Carruhers, when Horace aud Herbert
went forth at the call of duty, had asked
that i utrce's letter might he left with him
As he had fully proved his right to be
admitted 10 the family council his request
was readily granted. With the letter IN his
hand he went into the library and pondered
what had happened. The question he had
Ia solve was what motive could have been
strong enough 10 force Beatrice to take such
u step
lie had heard from Horace oil about the
cam made upon the child, and this had ex-
PINNED matter which had for sonis days
been troubling INN greatly, namely, l'ea-
trlcc's abrupt depai tIre from London but
here he cou d see no strong motive The
claim was abandoned, or at least lay quies
cent Besides Beatrice, as he judged her,
was far more likely to fight than to fy
He dismissed anything to do with the boy,
OF at least put 1t aside 10 be inquired into
colatelally.
H,rLert, too, had hirted his idea about an
attachment. Frank having asCerianei
that no shadow u, suspicion of such thug
hung over Blatr.ce, sternly put II out of
sigh. Be,lueS, Lncie were one or two Ieco-
lection whoa he carried always with hun
and which rendered. such a vulgar, UNIV Orthy
explanation something not tar short Of
sacrLege.
lie reckonei Beatrice a woman ot superior
abilities, logical and perfectly able to loresee
consequences He ieIt that she would not
have actel as she had acted without cars
fully considering what 1t entHllei. No re-
mantle, girlish impulse had hurrei her
Hal I,.l
her 10 shape such course. The reason,
whatever 1t might 10, was 10 her mind am
ply sufficient
She was unhappy. Her own words said
so. Did some danger overhang herr Did
some evil threaten herr What dangeri
What evlt Why could not he, FRANK Car.
rulhers, be at her side 10 SHE'D and aidi
Heaven knows he would do II und seek no
reward.
He groaned. lie was very miserable and
cast down 1t was IN this very room he had
bemOaned his first sorrow He had recovered
from that and had encouraged himself to
hope that the woman he loved would, after
all, be his And now 10 come ana find her
gDne-gone without IA word-gone no orc
knew wbltber--no one knew whyi To feel
that Sue was dying from some meEaclng evil
and yet not know what He was very UNI
happy,
he had come down with such news for her
news winch even rs a friend she would
have been glad 10 hear. He had breathed no
wOti OF it t. her IN London, hai resolved to
say rothing about 1t until all was settled
AT last he saw his way TO giving up the
drudgery OF teaching what he bitterly called
fools. He had for years been q thrifty man,
and the money he had saved was not small
sum. For years he had dreamed OF literature
as profession, and now he saw his way to
realization Of that dream. His political
articles had attracted attention He had
been offered an important journalistic post.
A manuscript from which lie expected great
things was in the printers hands. He saw
certain amount Of renown il not fortune
waiting for him. All this he had come down
10 tell Beatrice before be went back to OK.
FORD, wound up his affairs, and babe the
classic town farewell.
IL seemed as if, whenever be counted on
draining the cup of Joy, it was struck from
his lips!
lie must find Beatrics Sacred as her wish
not 70 be traced might be 10 Horace and
Herbert, Frank felt that it did not affect
him lie would not OF course stoop to call.
log In detective aid, but the utmost he could
do - solve the mystery should he done. To
Frank. Beatrice's figLt appeared in a far
u0rs serious light than il iii - L.r aacle.