Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-07-17
CHAPTER K.

|
Miss Clauson showed very little interest in
the approaching visit. To this curious and,
at times, almost apathetic young woman it
seemed as if all young men were alike al
| though we have seen that she was capable of
| showing strong feeling and emotion, as when
she rejected Mr.. Mordle's love.
| The only sentiments Miss CIauson felt about
Frank Carruchers were these: She was rather
| glad he was not clergyman, and rather sorry
he was a sort Of cousin. She was not very
partial to clergymen, and she thought that
male cousins were apt to presume on their
relationship. Perhaps they do.
She had not even the interest which falls
to the lot of hostess in preparing for the ar
rival of a guest. Herbert himself had seen
that the large feather bed in the chintz room
had been carried down and aired at the
kitchen fire. He had with his own hands
given out the needful blankets, counterpanes,
sheets and pillow cases; had even looked tc
the match box and PIN cushion.
So, with something akin to Indifference,
Beatrice saw the lodge gate open and Horace
bring the horses and large wagonette up tc
the door. She noticed that the young man
who sat beside him looked rather pale and
washed out. She saw several portmanteaus
handed out, and so came to the conclusion he
IlSih1LSS d lOuS5 oUchys 1uou Su0 IT.
sumed the book she was reading. 1t was far
more interesting than any young man.
Nor was she disturbed for some time. It
was close upon the dinner-indeed, Beatrice
was already dressed; SO the Talberts took
their guest to his room, and left him to make
his evening toilet. Just before the gong
sounded the three men entered the drawing
room, and Frank was duly presented to Miss
ClauSon. a
When a young man and woman know it is
their fate to spend several weeks together in
a country house, and when there is family
connection between them, it is no use COM
mencing by being distant to one another.
At least, so thought Frank Carruthers, for
he shook hands with Miss Clauson, and began
talking to her as if he had known her all his
life. Beatrice felt sure he meant to presume
on his relationship.
Still she was very civil and kind to him
and welcomed him to Oakbury. By and by,
in the course of his easy conversation, be
made what struck her as being an original
remark What it was is not recorded, but
as original remarks grow scarcer every day,
any young man who makes one minute
after his first introduction to young lady is
something out of the common run. So
Beatrice for the first time really looked to
see what he was like. You may depend he
had made up his mind about her looks at
once.
He was pale and appeared thin and over
worked, By the side of Horace and Herbert
he seemed a short, slight man, although he
was quite middle height, and if thin had
plenty of muscle. He was very handsome in
his own style and had clever, intellectual
look in his face. His eyes were dark and
keen, not restless eyes, yet seemed to glance
at everything quickly and enable him in a
second to make up his mind about the object
at which he looked. There was an expression
lowering about his mouth which a physiog-
nomist would have told you limited at sar-
easm and his chin chin proclaimed that be had
vey, and before she had come to any decision,
the gong sounded. Horace offered his arm to
his niece, and led her to the dining-room, fol
lowed by Herbert and Frank.
They dined at a round table, pulled almost
uR 10 ths gindeM, Ii was pleasant at this
Tine Of Year e BE- able to look out on the ear
den II everybody knew the comfort Of a
round table when the party is small, the
whole stock in the country would be at once
bought UP.
After all, in spite Of his pale face, there
seemed little the matter with Mr.. Carruthers.
His appetite was a fair one; but man could
net make 2 good dinner at Lakewood House
his interior Organization must be in a state
past redemption. So he ate like hale man
and talked like one whose brain was in full
working order.
tits very good Of you to take charge Of an