The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-09-26


Then they went off to see that a room was
got ready tor their unexpected guests
While the 1aiberts were SO engaged their
guests walked down To the village and
found Sylvanus Mordie.
Sylvalus positively sparkled when he
heard the news. 1t freei his conscience
f ON shallow which had for months been
tying upol 1.-THE shadow Of the Cat and
Compassein He took hand OF each OF bis
friends
"Sorry for one thing-only one. That !
iidn't join these hanls. Would have given
worlds any thlng-soue to Munich on pur-
pose. needn't tell either Of YOU why l
wished to do it
The last words were spoken with genuine
feeling. Mr. and Mrs. Carruthers pressed
the curate's hanls and thanked him for his
COOL wishes, When they left him Sylvanus
called for his tricycle. and propelled himself
ten miles out ana ten miles home again. He
did so, he told himself, to keep his wind up
to sermon mark He was unwilling to con-
fess that the need for such violent bodily
exercise was brought about by the sight Of
Beatrice as bride
That night at Hardwood House the table
was as tastefully laid, the napery as smooth
as unimp,achable, the crockery as perfect
as ever. Frank did nearly all the talking.
He spoke of his future plans, of the life he
and Beatrice meant to lead, as coolly as IL
all her friea Is 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 afterward, "There were none of
those embarrassing little familiarities which
so often make the company of a bride and
bridegrc om-well, undesirable
Beatrice left the men and strolled through
the garden. Horace and Herbert then filed
their glasses, and in courtly way wished
Frank every happiness. Not" said Hor-
ace, that We can honestly say we approve
ofyour having been married in this clandes-
tine way. But you may, Of course, have
had good reasons for it,"
I'VE had good reasons said Frank.
Owe think, however, we have q right to
ask for an explanation of Beatrice's strange
conluct-her flight and concealment'
Certainly said Herbert, most certain
ly."
SO Frank told them all. As he had the
command of language and spoke in earnest
TONS. as he had the skill to make certain
shadows look lighter and to bring ont strong
points In his clients favor most strongly; as
he could speak Of what she had endured, and
so invoke pity as we'll as mercy, Beatrice
could scarcely have found Letter advo-
cate.
But Horlcei Herbert A line of notes of
exclamation would not properly express
their surprise With eyes tiXel on the
speaker thei listened like persons under q
sreil. Even wh,n Frank had said his say
they continued to gaze at him. Horace
was the first to speak. us this trues" he
gasnel.
Every word of it-poor girl" said Frank.
Then" said Horace, with his no appeal
manner "we can never forgive her-never
see her again. Neverw
lie glanced at Herbert, as if expecting the
usual echo. But it did, COM. Franz rose
Very well; then there's nothing more to
be said. I'll go and tell ms wife to put her
things on. Which is the best Blackt Dawn
hoteln
Thus was a staggering shot. 1t was a
cruel shot. Carruthers was right when he
said it would take a great deal to make the
Talberts turn even dog away.
GIVE us a few minutes to talk it over"
said Herbert. Let us leave you here for
awhile
"No. I'll 60 into The garden. I can't
give you more than twenty minutes, because
most of our things are unpac,lei, ald it is
growing Late
Before he left them he spoke again; this
time with all his former earnestness.
Horace, Hernert,n he said, turning from
one to the other. IA talking this over re-
member, that if you cannot forgive her we
must be strangers hereafter By casting her
off you give the world right to say what
it chooses. Remember, also, she is my wife
that she loves you-tnat she is even now
on thorns of suspense awaiting your de-
cisiou.'
With this he let them went into tn, gar
den, anl OUT OF SIGHT OF the house, walked
with his arm around Beatrice and babe her
be of good cneer.
Before the twenty minutes had expired,
Wh5take" came to inform them that Mr..
Talb.rt 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 mad Withdrawn after
handing round the tea Horace spoke, He
was su.ilIlu, up his cup in his hand, and
his cain eye, seeni,d to be gazing at nothing.
my dear beatrice," ne SAID very gravely,
81 tnink il you and Frank could manage TO
w
might ask few friends to meet you at din
ner. The invitation will be short one, but
under the circumstances will no doubt be
excused"
Carruthors turned away to hide smile.
Yet he felt that, considering who tbs
SPEAKER was, no words couil have been bet
ter, more juIiciously or more delicately
CHOSEN to express tue fact that Horace and
HerLert nad decided to forgive the culprit,
and not only to say no more about her mis-
deeds. but, also, if necessary, show the
world that they took her part 1t was q
triumph.
No more was said but Beatrice coul not
refrain from letting few tears Of gratitude
betiew Horace's immaculate shirt front, or
from sitting for little while with Herberts
hand in hers.
Sir Ma4ugay had, of course, to be told all.
This was a painful task, as telling Sir Main
CAV meant telling Lady Clauson. Her lady.
Ship had her revenge by being abe to say
the girl had, after all, 'doue something dis
GRACEFUL" but as she thinks great dsal
about the honor of her husbands family.
she will not proclaim the correctness Of
her estimate OF Beatrice's character.
And others viii have to be told The
Oanbury people will hear a great deal.
They will snake their heads and gossip
BuU fortunately, or unfortunately, MIR.
and Mrs. Ca,ruuhers' future life will not
be spent amo1, these families of position,
- s,,ch crn.Stn will matter little To them.