Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-09-18
CHAPTER XVI,

a WOhD LIN oEASON.
After one or two unsuccessful attempts
Carruthers found Mrs John Rawlings in
stalled behind the family counter at No. 14s
Gray street. She was very hard at work
no doubt endeavoring to make up for her
husbands repeated absences. In her hands
she held what appeared like long salmon
colored two-inch rope which, by dexterous
twist of the wrist, or some manipulation only
known to the initiated, she was rapidly trans
forming into ornamental and symmetrical
festoons of those luscious articles of diet,
sausages. Upon learning that Carruthers
wished to speak to her in private she wiped
her hands on cloth, and, lifting up flap,
Or species of drawbridge, in the counter
begged he would step through and follow
her upstairs.
He did so, and was shown into what Mrs.
Rawlings called the parlor; room papered
with startling paper, carpeted with a
dazzling carpet; furnished with imitation
walnut chairs and couch upholstered in the
brightest blue tapestry; the mantelpiece
bearing mirror in FURNISHED gilt frame,
and, among other gay ornaments, a huge
pair of those glass vases with suspended
prisms known as lustres; the fire glowed
very brightly, and was kept in order by a
fender and fireirons of flashing steel. was,
in fact, room which appeared to open its
eyes and glare at you as you entered. A
man even more anxious and preoccupied
than Frank was could not fail to be struck
with the general effect. 1t would have been
positively ungracious not to have noticed it.
"What bright room!' he said.
cit is bright room," said Mrs. Rawlings
in gratifed way ''You see, sir, we often
kill as many as thirty pigs before break
fast.n
This seemed depression without bearing
upon the main subject. "Poor things" said
Frank, without making it clear whether he
referred to the pigs or their slayers.
cat first, when I married Rawlings, ]
found it a melancholy business; so I made
up my mind to have everything away from
the factory bright and cheerful"
''You have succeeded here said Frank,
as he took the azure covered chair offered
him.
II hope so. You see, sir" continued Mrs.
Rawlings, every business has it's drawbacks
as we'll as it's advantages. Many don't like
the pork business, but it's nice clean bust
ness-there's no dust about it like there is
about baking l hate dust of any sort"
At another time Carruthers might have
been amused and have tried to draw this
woman out, but he was now only anxious to
hear about Beatrice, so he commenced his
inquisition.
Yes; Mrs. Rawlings had been at Black
town. She had stayed at the sCat and
Compasses." She, or rather her husband,
had believed little boy to be their missing
son. A young lady had called upon her
one morning. She gave no name, but she
was tall young lady; very handsome; and
with gray eyes; beautifully dressed; In fact,
quite young lady. Yes, poor thing! quite
lady.
Would Mrs. Rawlings tell her visitor what
had been said Or done at that interview!
Oh, no-never The good woman shut her
eyes, compressed her lips, and shook her
head slowly and solemnly; the combined
effects of these actions being meant to show
that Beatrices communication was forever
locked up in the sacred repository of her
heart.
Mrs. Rawlings really meant to keep Bea-
trices secret, and doubtless had no pressure
been applied she would have kept it Loyalty.
But unluckily she was one of those who have
to struggle to retain secret, not only its
main body, but little corners which would
slip out unawares In trying to guard Bea-
trices secret from her visitors renewed
questions she was like one trying to pack q
feather bed into a travelling trunk; as one
part was pushed down another part rose up
The words poor thingp applied to Beatrice
had already raised Franks curiosity to the
highest pitch, and made him believe that the
present inquiry was not collateral.
Was he justified in striving to learn what
Beatrice wished hid? He thought So He loved
her with pure, unselfsh love; SO unselfsh
that he was not endeavoring to find the
cause Of her flight for his own ends, but in
order to be able to give her aid if she re-
quired it. Yes, the man who loved her had
right to try and learn all about the woman
whom he believed loved him, Besides, had
Beatrice in any way bound this woman tr
secrecya He could scarcely believe it. He
fancied that Mrs. Rawlings, as some people
will, was making a mystery of nothing.
Beatrice may have given her money to with
d. aw the absurd claim, and she was ashamed
to confess the fact.
''Look here" said Carruthers. 81 must
and will know what took place between you
and the lady. I warn you that by conceal
ment you may do her the greatest wrong
You cannot harm her by telling the truth"
Again Mrs. Rawlings shut her eyes and
shook her head.
Again Frank pressed her. again and again
She still kept the secret, but ever and anon,
by means of some unguarded expression. let