Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-07-24

he must 60 a1G looksthsr poTtFaik There
wa q fine one b the drawing room He
went there, stood before 1t for q long time,
and TO the representation Of herself vowed
that she was the fairest woman o. earth,
well worthy for a man 70 live or die for.
Then be began to retrace bis steps 10 the
library. As be crossed the ball be saw a
strange sight
Whitaker, the ~irreproachable, the dlgni-
fed, with indignation written in every line
Of his black-coated limbs was standing at
the front door against which he leaned his
full weight, whilst with his right hand he
was struggling with some object which pre-
vented him from quite shutting the door.
Closer examination showed Frank that this
was the end, about six inches, Of a stout
walking stick-a contemplate object, yet, as
it was held, powerful enough to foil the old
servants efforts. Whitaker was putting and
blowing, not so much from his exertlons as
from anger. His face was as red as a turkey
cocks. Nothing impressed Frank more
strongly with the feeling that unusual things
were happening at Lakewood House than
the sight Of this respectable old retainer in
such abnormal difficulties.
"What's the matterr he said, going to the
door.
'1t's a man, Mp. Carruthers," pulled out
Whitaker.
"What does be wantg'
HE asked for Miss Clauson, sir; / told
him she was away from home"
"Well, what then?" Frank grew inter
ested. The parties outside and inside re-
manned in the deadlock.
HE asked for her address, sir; told him
l did not know
"Well, what thenY'
HE called me a damned liar, Mr.. Car
ruthers," said Whitaker, with supreme
emotion, and ina voice so lolV that it showed
how ashamed he was of thu occurrence-"a
damned liar, sir" The repetition sounded
almost fearful.
'Open the door and let me have a look at
him" said Frank.
II wouldn't, Mr.. Carruthers, if l were
you, sir. / helieve he meditates making an
attack Of personal violence
"Never mind; open the door. He won't
personal violence me, and you can stand be-
hind me.n
This, as be was a head and shoulders taller
than Frank, Whitaker felt to be sarcasm.
However, being accustomed to obey, he
opened the door, and Frank found himself
face to face with a man about his own age.
A strong looking, muscular fellow, dressed
in the very height Of fashion-too far up, in
fact, to look a gentleman
Maurice Hervey, Of course. Having given
Beatrice more than "a hours grace, he put in
execution his threat of looking her up. Not
that he expected to see her; not that he was
prepared with a plan Of action in case she
proved recalcitrant; but he knew the call
would alarm her. It was only when be heard
from Whitaker that she was out Of town
that the idea Of her attempting to evade him
by fight occurred to him. 1t completely
threw him off his balance, made him disre-
spectful to the old servant, and even when
that functionary replied as a gentleman's
servant should in such straits reply, bysimply
closing the door, induced him to put his
stick between the door and the post.
Hervey looked at Frank; Frank, little
guessing what this mans existence meant tc
him and Beatrice, looked at Hervey.
"Wel" be said, coldly.
IT wish to repeat a few inquiries which
made Of the servant when he so u~ncivilly
shut the door in my face" said Hervey.
II beg to repeat the servants answer
which you SO uncivilly received" said Frank
"You do not know her addressN
eff you are speaking of Miss Clauson,
do not"
Hervey hesitated.
"You are not Mr.. TalbertT he said.
II am not, T" said Frank, coldly.
"Mr. Talbert can no doubt give me the in
formationF'
mo doubt. But I presume he will want
to know your reasons for asking" asi
"Pll welt and see him. -
81 don't think you viii. Of course 1 havC
no power to prevent your calling again, bu
you will not wait here.n
Hervey scowled. WI you try and turn
me outF' he said, defantly.