Omaha daily bee., 1885-08-24

| without a previous word on the subject. Ihe
similarity o their natures, no doubt, accounted
FOR this.
'Herbert," said Horace at last, ''you are
thinking of what Beatrice saidf'
eyes, l am"
$50 am l. It seemed q revelation, but
we oughtn't to jump at conclusions"
"No," said Herbert, "but the fact remains.
Some four years ago he had nothing but his
fellowship to live upon"
"You are right, nothing. Beatrice spoke
justly. She mhy by chance have struck the
mark
"I am afraid so. Still, we must not be
hasty. Yet, whoever sent the child must
have fancied it had some claim on u.s."
at is ridiculous to suppose that an entire
stranger would have done such a thing"
"Quite so" said Herbert.
He may have been much tempted; at that
time have been driven TO his wits end. 1t is
a sad affair; let us try and piece it together
Then, like couple Of old women, they began
to construct their new theory.
"We will say, ~ began Horace, ''he was mar.
ried four years ago"
"Yet was dishonorable enough TO conceal
II, so that he might hold his fellowship
COZ course this is oil suppostion," said
Horace. The word dishonorable in connec-
ton with one of his own kin grated on his
ear.
"Exactly So" said Herbert. "I should sus-
pect that his wife died-perhaps recently,
perhaps shortly after the birth of the child"
'The latter, 1 should think. Frank makes
q large income now, and could afford to give
up two hundred a year."
eyes" said Herbert, 'the wife died after
the birth of the boy. Tho older the child got
the more trouble no found it to conceal its
identity. Thereupon he sends it to us, trust
ing we may keep it.n
"And now," capped Herbert, "after de-
clining former invitations, he comes to us
himself. The further we pursue the matter
the clearer it becomes"
They were quito in q state of mild excite
ment. That they could draw logical infer
ences we have seen by the affair of Ann Jen-
kins' stockings. The brothers had both been
distressed that all their speculations as to lit
tie Harry's origin had fallen TO the ground
for want Of proper support. Now, at last,
! was a theory which, if it reflected dishonor
on a connection of theirs, was at least tenable.
1t was improbable, but the whole affair was
SO monstrous that it needed an improbability
to account for it. They absolutely argued
themselves into believing they had found the
truth.
"Didcot is the junction for Oxford" con-
tinued Herbert, after a pause.
"Besides," said Horace, eve cannot forget
that his conduct once was not what it should
nave been"
That's the worst of going wrong. No
amount Of straight running viii make people
cease to look at times a~siance. Thu work of
reformation is child's play to that Of making
your friends believe you have reformed.
Therefore Horace Talberts remark was a
clincher. Herbert toyed with the open letter.
"Shall we send thisgi he asked.
They fell to stroling their boards once
more, and continued the operation until the
natural kindlineSs Of their hearts reasserted
itself.
"After ALL" said Herbert, Kit is all purely
conjec5ural."
"Completely So"
The had better come, then"
81 think SO. Besides, it will give us an
opportunity of seeing him with the child;
surely the instincts of paternity must show
themselves"
"They are supposed to be very strong"
But as neither of them knew anything about
paternity, these remarks were made in a
doubtful tone, and were subject TO correction.
The polite letter was sent, and q week after
the ending of the Trinity term the young
Oxford tutor packed up his things and started
for Oakbury.
AS there isl 10 occasion to make super1uous
mysteries, it may at once be said that Frank
Carruthers knew no more Of the existence Of
5hs child whom his amiable uncles had argued
themselves into believing to be in some way
ais property than he knew of--for the sake of
a simile-say the presence at Hazlewood
House Of a gray-eyed girl, whose beauty
would satisfy every demand Of his rather
fastidious taste.