The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1885-10-08
Mordle. delectedIS

Mordle, deJeetedly
"Whats been on your mindl For msrcy's
sake speak ont II you have any clue 10 glye,n
~ have been very wrong, ought never
to have yielded, But / did. 1 couldn't
refusen
"Did whatl Pull yourself together and
tell mo whnt you mean
Mordle did 80, and gave Frank the whole
history Of tho expedition 10 Blacktown.
Frank, who few hours before had heard
all about the Rawlings claim, tried 20 'elieve
Mordle's mind, and TO certain extent sue
ceeded, However, the curate still retained
tho impression that the visit 10 the "Cat
and CompassesN was In some way responsible
for the girls flight Frank had some trouble
10 get him 10 proml TO withhold his con-
fesson from the Talberts.
He resolved 10 find this woman whom Bea-
trce had visited, and 10 learn what occurred
at the interview, He felt half inclined 10
veer round 10 lIorace's original theory that
Beatrice had lled TO insure her pets safety,
Perhaps the man with whom Whitaker had
struggled wasa lawyers emlsary, Beatrice
might have paid her mysterious visit IN order
10 delay proceedings If So her strange act
Was but an net Of folly, and all would como
right In the end,
ho tried very hard to take this vIow OF tho
can, but he could not, No, there was more,
much more, In the background, and he felB
that tho man he had Seon held the key OF tho
puzzle lie cursed bis own unrcadneas Of
resource In having lot him go so easily,
CHAPTER XIV,
ANOTHER PAINFUL TASK,
The dinner that night AT Hazewood House
was q dreary affair, Frank did not see his
hosts until the gong sounded, Their calls
had kept them 10 long that they were obliged
10 dress In undue haste 70 avoid unpunctual-
ity In their own persons, thing which would
have amounted 10 kind OF moral suicide.
The conversation whilst Whitaker was in
the room was naturally forced. Frank could
indeed tell them OF the contemplated change
In his life, but as all the while he was think.
ing how Beatrice would have received the
news, his communication was made with
none Of his usual viyaoity, Horace and Her
bert were mildly aatoniahed. They trusted
In that way which implies doubt-that IL
would be for the best. ToHye up certainty
Tor an uncertainty seemed n pity, but OF
course Frank knew his own business best. A
remark with which Mr. Carruthen mentally
agreed,
II seemed quite in order with the misfor-
tunes OF the house that tho bottle Of 1853
should have been shaken In soms way and
cloudy, not 10 say thick. II might
have been as thick an pea soup for all Frank
cared,
Nothing, or next 10 nothing was said dur
Ing dessert about the recent painful event,
Frank sat oody and silent He was work-
Ing out problems; connecting Beatrlcea flight
with the man Of the afternoon and the visit
10 the inn, For Deatrlces sake no was now
lighting for his own hand Horace and Her
bert he eliminated from the inquiry.
His moodneS affected his hosts, and upon
his refusal 20 talso more wine they suggested
mn adjournment 10 the hodrawng-room, Frank
agreed readily, Al any rate ho could Et
there and gazo at Boatrlco's portrait
"Do you moan 10 take any further stopsr
ho asked.
~ think not" said Horace, "Ilorbert and
have talked tho matter over aud feel there
N no more to bo done, We saw great
many people this afternoon, and am sure
have lett a general impression that Beatrice
has gone 10 visit irIondsh
'lt was a most painful duty NNll Her
bort "but ono wo felt must bo performed.
In fact, II was due 10 ourselves 10 forestall
yosEp.n
~ am mro Frank quito understands tho
said Horace
A Atirical smile curlOd rouud Franks
ips, ut must have bc,n most painful no
aldi 'you must have felt like two Spartan
Boys with Joint fox under their clothosh
"Ycs," aid Herbert, simply; two did,
~ have often hoard tho similo used, said
Horace "but its great strength mover struck
nc until now,n
Carruthorg gave n short, quick laugh; ho
,ould not holp Ii, The brothers looked sur
,rised. They could seo no reason for any
approach 10 merrlment, A biting sarcasm
,amo 70 tho young mans lips, but ho 70.
trained II, and In moment was glad no
nd done 10. II would have wounded thoso
wo kind, mild.looking men, who, no doubt
yoro as unable 10 roalizs tho anxiety raised
n his breast by BoatrIoo's flight as he was
Inablo 10 comprehend tho Importance OF tho
which thoy were making such
acrinocs 10 ayort Seeing things In tho
amo light Is matter OF constitution, sauca
ion, and training,
Just then Whitaker brought In t0a, and
Whilst no handed II round Frank had leisure
o rejoice insomuoh IA he had kept his tongue
n command, But misfortune had not yet
onc with HOzlowood House, Frank, In
moving his arm, knocked down cup, and
ont its scalding contents over ono OF tho
oyora delicious little Chippcndalo tables,
ho pride Of the Talberts hearts aud the envy
( thcir lady fric ida.