Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-10-02

y fTU1lE. fTUflF! sue C7JeGt. - on HeTU!
He took her hands in his and regardless of
bystanders gazed into her gray eyes. For
moment he could not speak. The sight of
Beatrice, the touch Of her hand sent the
blood rushing through his veins. Days.
weeks, months, he had pictured this meet
ing, and now it had come to pass
She was fairer than ever-fairer than
ever! The pure classical features seemed
even more perfect the clear pale face more
beautiful, the dark gray eyes more wonder
full than Of old. And as she had given that
little cry Of joy, something had leapt into
her eyes which Carruthers had never before
seen there or never before seen SO clearly
and undisguisedly, The surprise of seeing
him had swept away caution, and for the
space of two seconds, Frank was able to
read the very secret of her soul
No wonder he held her hands and gaZed
silently in her face. What had he to say
what could he say? The certainty that she
loved him made his task no easier-the task
of telling her that he knew her secret, or at
least great part Of 1.-THE task of asking
her to confiie in him and let him help her.
So he remained silent until she gently drew
her hands from his.
The light had faded from Beatrice's face
She also, after q moment IF forgetfulness,
was coming back to her own world and it's
troubles. Her eyes dropped and her face
clouded
Elbow did you find meg' she asked in
troubled tones.
"By strange chance. I will tell you how
some day."
ssTell me noW,n
Frank shook his head.
| stNot now,' he said. "Let it suffice that
have found you.n
"But," said Beatrice with agitation, do
! others know-can others find mes If you
learned it why not another?'
| He saw the display of fear, and fastened
to reassure her. mo one save myself can
learn it in the same way. Your retreat is
safe.T
She sighed her relief, There was an
awkward pause. Frank was the first to
break it.
Beatrice" he said, IT have come long
way to see you. have much to say-you
may have much to say to me. Can we go to
some place where we can talks"
eyes, we can go to my home" Beatrice
called her boy, and Frank, glad Of anything
to break the awkwardness Of the moment,
greeted the little fellow and made friends
with him to such purpose that he insisted
upon Mr.. Carruthers holding his chubby
hand and walking with him.
"What a pity to cut that bright hairln
said Frank to Beatrice.
SIT was more than pity-it was cruel, but
it was cruel necessity" she said sadly.
Beatrice led the way to the house in which
she lived She walked with her head bent,
and as one in deep thought. She could not
make up her mind whether to be glad or
sorry at Franks coming She saw, how
ever, that it put an end to her present mode
| of life. That 1t meant confession, revealing
of everything. That it meant return to
England and to such friends as would still
be her friends. That if it meant shame and
sorrow, it also meant safety and immunity
from persecution. She began to regret that
she had yielded to Sarah's wish to go to Eng
land and see Hervey. But that was not of
much consequence. She felt sure that as
soon as Carruthers learned her history her
affairs would pass into hands more compe-
tent to deal with them tina the hands of two
weak women. So on the whole her feelings
were those of relief.
And yet for some, fer one reason, Frank
was the last person she would have chosen
to whom to reveal her secrets. She shrank
from having to show the man she loved that
her life for years had been one Of deceit
Now that the deceit had to be confessed to
| him. IT seemed TO lose all the innocent ma
ture which she had hitherto ftattered herself
it possessed. In short, if such thing can
be imagined, Beatrice felt as Carruthers
once felt her to be, as an idol would feel
when just upon the point OF being hurled
down from its PEDESTAL.
Carruthers, who had his own thoughts to
| traubIe him, and to whom it seemed that
any conven tiona1 remarks would at the pres
emit juncture be mockery, respected her
meditations, SO that, save for the Lsping
prattle of the boy, silence reigned until
Beatrice found herself in her room with
Frank sitting near her. 1t struck her as SO
strange that he of all others should be here
that even now she wondered if she was
dreaming She Stunned his eyes, fearing to
read reproach in them.