Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-08-07
A FAMILY AFFAIR.
BY HUGE CONWAY.
AUTHOR OF "CALLED BACK DARK
DAYS" ETC.
NonHnued LON sunday May slst.l

masters in order TO drive the horses back
tne Talberts, until they were in the train
could not make known to Frank the result
OF their inquiries at the bank. Frank heard
the news gloomily. The sum taken BY
beatrice showed that she meant her absenct
to be a prolonged one.
Did you get the numbers of the notesF
ne asked. They had not done SO.
Il should get them. The first one sh'
changes can be traced back, and we shall
know where she is"
Il should never have thought of that
said Herbert admiringly.
Horace said nothing. Conscience told him
he would not have thought of it, but self
respect babe him hide the fact.
In London they parted. The Talberts
went to their favorite hotel, and Frank, who
wished to be quite free and unfettered in his
researches, went to his. The next day the
brothers called on Sir Maingay Causon, and
Frank found the way to 142 Gray street, the
purveying establishment Of Messrs. Raw
lings Bros.
He asked for Mrs. Rawlings, and not know
ing whether it was Mrs. John or Mrs. Joseph,
was compelled to describe her as the one who
had been at Blacktown some few days ago.
That was Mrs. John. Mr.. and Mrs. John
were away. Would not be back for at least
a week. No one knew exactly where they
were. In their absence, caused perhaps by
another wild goose chase after a supposed
son. Frank was compelled to defer his re-
searches. His heart was very heavy. It
seemed to him that he would only find Bea-
trice by the prosaic way of tracing back the
bank notes, He wished he had not suggested
this course to Horace and Herbert.
He went down to Oxford and settled his
affairs as best he could. He arranged with
Mordle's friend, F~anshawe, a brother coach,
to take such pupils as he could send him. So
utterly unfit did he feel for work that he was
glad to think that his new appointment did
not become a fact for six months; 50 that,
except for the book which he had to see
through the press, he would have nothing to
occupy him but the search for Beatrice.
Horace and Herbert were more successful
In their call. Sir Maingay was at home and
appeared delighted to see them. But this
etfusiveness only covered a certain fear with
which, perhaps on account of their striking
resemblance to his dead wife, the baronet
always regarded his tall, grave brothers-in-
law. To my mind, a widower who marries
again had better make a clean sweep of all
his first wife's relations. A painful duty.
yet due to ones self, as the Talberts would
say.
) glad, so very glad, to see you, Horace;
so delighted, Herbert" exclaimed Sir Main
gay. How we'll you both look! never saw
you looking better"
They told him they were very well.
You don't seem to grow a day older.
No family cares to vex you. Most men keep
young as bachelors. A family means re-
sponsibility as well as pleasure, you know"
Sir Maingay nodded his head ~contentedly as
one who knows all about it.
'We have something to say to you about
Beatrice" said Horace.
Now, Beatrice was the very last subject
which Sir Maingay cared to discuss with his
brothers-inlaw. Although they had never
said so much, he felt that they altogether
disapproved Of his conddct with respect to
his daughter. He felt that they thought he
should not have gone abros1 and left her to
herself, although she had been so left by her
W expressed wish. To some people, espe-
cially those whose consciences were i'll at
ease, the Talberts' grave, unspoken censure
was more terrible than vituperation from
any one else.
about Beatrice said Sir Maingay. mot
Ill, | hope9 thought her looking far from
well when she left here"
'No, she is not in-but we are In some
anxiety on her account"
"Ah, l think l know. l think I'm quite
prepared for what you are going to say"
Horace raised his eyebrow "You arer'
be said. eff SO, it will make our task
easier"
"Much easier" said Herbert.
well, you are going to say that young
Carruthers is in love with my girl He
came here once or twice; l saw it then.
He told me he was going down to your
place"
"Yes, that is part of what we were going
tosay." They had decided it was as well to
let Sir Maingay know Of Franks ambition.
SWELL said the baronet, II like Carruth-
ers. Besides he is a kinsman of yours. l
assure you, my dear Horace, my dear Her.
bert, l can never forget the many happy
years spent with poor" he actually hest
tated for the name. Think Of that all young
wives who believe that your husbands will
be inconsolable should death remove you'll
with a much beloved member of your
family"
'Thank you" said Horace. quietly. He
recognized the fact that Sir Maingay meant
well.
Besides continued the baronet, "Bea-
trice is entirely her own mistress. She has
a win Of her own. / have no power over her
fortune, which, by the by, is almost as large
as my own This is just as it should be, be-
cause with those sons Of mine it will be i'm
possible for me to add to her income at my
death" So he ratified on, bringing out what
was really a justification Of himself.
'My dear Maingay," said Horace, mildly,
''would it not be better if you heard what
we have to say and made your comments
afterwardsT
1T would be a great deal better, Main
gay said Herbert.
From the days Of their first acquaintance
they had always assumed this air of superb
GRITTY over the respectable nobleman. He
had never even struggled against it. So he
obeyed and was silent.
They told him all about Beatrice. Her
letter they could not show him, having for
gotten to ask Frank to return it. Sir Main
gay listened, but did not appear much up
set.
1--WE will Of course take any steps you
wish, or aid you in any steps you may take,n
said Horace in conclusion.
'sIt's q nuisance, but 1 don't see any steps
TO be taken" said Sir Maingay, composedly
Neither do we. But we felt it right you
should know at once"
quite SO. AS l said, Beatrice always had
q will Of her OWL. She Is full of strange