Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-07-17

1erstood that after o certain time Of grace no
one was to be waited for. It was their theory
] that keeping several guests waiting for one
laggard was a breach Of politeness. There
were unkind people who said that the broth
ers would break this rule for a lord. They
wronged our friends. They would have
waited for no n under the rank Of q duke
or at least q marquis.
80 that when Whitaker having struck the
resonant gong and so proclaimed that lunch
was ready, ten minutes passed by without
Beatr1ce's responding to its hospitable sun
mons, 1t Is no wonder that Horace and Her
bert began to look grave. The soup was on
the table; Whitaker was waiting his mas
ter's commands. He. who from long a~ssocia-
ton, felt the situation as much as they did
looked absolutely sympathetic. Although he
had no reason to suppose her stone deaf he
ventured to suggest that Miss Clauson had
not heard the gong.
The beauty of the Talberts' character was
that politeness invariably triumphed over
principle. Punctuality was here the prin-
ciple; it was outraged, yet forced for a while
to submit. Horace forbade a repeated sum-
mons, and they actually waited another five
minutes before they sent Whitaker to in
quire for Miss Clauson. Whitaker reported
that Miss Clauson, the nurse and the little
boy had gone out Immediately after break
fast and had not yet returned.
"Then the nursery dinner will be spoiled,
too" said Horace sadly, as he seated himself
and ladled out the soup. Horace, with his
kind heart, felt for any one who was doomed
to suffer from a spoiled dinner.
After a solemn lunch the brothers waited
for a while in the ~dining-room. They ex-
pected every moment that Beatrice would
appear. They did not OF course mean to
scold her, but were prepared to say a few
words OF mild remonstrance; to show her,
in fact, how the bad example of u~npunctual-
ity must demoralize an establishment.
But as Beatrice did not appear the we'll
meant little lecture they were tacitly pre-
pairing turned into open expressions Of Won
der as to why her morning ramble should be
so protracted. Perhaps she bad gone some
where to lunch. Perhaps something had
happened. Just as they had reached this last
stage of supposition, Whitaker brought in a
telegram. It was from Beatrice and sent
from Oxford Circus. We are in London-it
ran-do not be uneasy; will write tonight.
They were greatly surprised, and marveled
on what errand could she have gone to Lon
don! No doubt it was all right. She had
most likely gone to her fathers. Perhaps
Sir Maingay was ill. Beatrice might have
intercepted a telegram and impulsively
started off at once. But why take the child
and the nurseG Why! There they were
unable to make head or tail Of the matter, 50
could only wait for the mornings post.
Beatrice might have been more explicit"
said Horace, looking at the telegram once
more.
Eyes" said Herbert, 'she had nine words
to spare"
kilograms are one of the pests of modern
life" continued Horace. People dash of
these in-worded, unprecedented phrases in
stead Of a proper letter. No one can write a
decent letter now"
Horace, who had the gift Of writing pecu-
liarly well-constructed and elegant, if rather
too lengthy, epistles, felt keenly on the ten
dency of the age to conduct its correspond,
ence by means Of short, swapping sentences
after the manner of Mr.. Mordle's style Of
talking.
Il hope she will be back soon," said Her.
bert. Frank comes to us the day after to
morrow
she is In good health now, isn't heF'
Splendid, | believe"
Then think we can give him the '5S this
time-the All growing low
This was not It was but the
caution a wise man exercises over his cellar.
Besides, who could complain of the delicate
graduation! 1858 is a fine wine; many prefer
1t to 1S47.
Beatrices promised letter came in the
morning. Horace read it first. His face was
a perfect blank. He read it again before he
handed it to the anxious Herbert, who, al
though he. saw from his brothers face that
something strange had happened, was fol-
once unable to make the slightest guess al
the truth. Here is Beatrice's letter:
"My Very Dear Uncles l should be migrate
Rul for the kindness you have shown me if ]
left you in any anxiety a moment longer thar
could help. sent you a telegram yester.
day afternoon to show you that no evil had
befallen me.
II scarcely know what to say to YOU.
can at present offer no excuse for what l an
about TODD. lean given explanation When
I came to Lakewood House l hoped to be
able to make it my home for so long as you
would keep me-. Now, I find, l am forced to
leave you and make a home of my own. More
over, l am forced for a while at least to keen
silence as to where that home may be. At
this moment l have not even determined. II
will, however, be out of England. l cannot
even tell you why this must be so. Will you
ever forgive mes
"Please do not fear on my account. l am
growing old and can well take care of nv.
self; besides, Mrs. Miller will be with me,
also Harry, so that l shall not be dull.
'IfI cannot promise to tell you where
am, l will at least let you hear from me now
and then. Please, oh, please, do not try and
trace me, but do endeavor to think kindly Of
your loving but unhappy niece, BEATRICE
"What does it mean, Herbert~ said Hor.
ace in s%epulchral tones.
"WhAt can it meanF' echoed Herbert.
They sat staring at one another and feel
ing that such an unlocked for catastrophe
had never before happened since the world
!, began to be peopled by ladies and gentlemen.
Their niece, the feminine counterpart Of
themselves; the embodiment, to their minds.
Of all that a well-bred, well-born woman
should be, to be guilty of such an escapade.
1t was awful, perfectly awful!
They read the letter again and again.
discussed the meaning of sentences, even of
words; but this analysing process helped
them nothing. So they turned to reconsider
in a new light Beatrice herself as they knew
her or fancied they knew her.
Although neither Of the Talberts had ever
felt the tender passion, it was Thought bv
n,onv that If either vvara attooLod ILL.,