Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-02-19
CHAPTER XIV.
ANOTHER PAINFUL TASK.

The dinner that night at Lakewood House
was dreary affair. Frank did not see his
hosts until the gong sounded. Their calls
had kept them so long that they were obliged
to dress in undue haste to avoid unpunctual-
ity in their own persons, a thing which would
have amounted to 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 vivacity Horace and Her.
bert were mildly astonished. They trusted
in that way which implies doubt-that it
would be for the best. Togive up a certainty
for an uncertainty seemed pity; but of
course Frank knew his own business best. A
remark with which Mr.. Carruthers mentally
agreed
1t seemed quite in order with the misfor-
tunes of the house that the bottle Of 1855
should have been shaken in some way and
appeared cloudy, not to say thick. 1t might
have been as thick as pea soup for all Frank
cared.
Nothing, or next to nothing, was said dur
ing dessert about the recent painful event.
Frank sat moody and silent He was work
with the man of the afternoon and the visit
to the inn. For Beatrices sake he was now
fighting for his own hand Horace and Her.
bert he eliminated from the inquiry.
His moodiness affected his hosts, and upon
his refusal to take more wine they suggested
an adjournment to the drawing-room. Frank
agreed readily. At any rate he could sit
there and gaze at Beatrices portrait
do you mean to take any further stepsr'
he asked
II think not" said Horace. Herbert and
have talked the matter over and feel there
is no more to be done. We saw great
many people this afternoon, and 1 am sure
have left a general impression that Beatrice
has gone to visit friends
1T vas most painful duty" said Her
bert, put one we felt must be performed
In fact, it was due to ourselves to forestall
gossip"
Il am sure Frank quite understands the
situation said Horace.
A satirical smile curled round Franks
lips. 1T must have been most painful" he
said: ''you must have felt like two Spartan
boys with joint fox under their clothes
Yes" said Herbert, simply; 1--WE did"
Il have often heard the smile used said
Horace, but its great strength never struck
me until now
Carruthers gave short, quick laugh: he
could not help it. The brothers looked sur
prised. They could see no reason for any
approach to merriment. A biting sarcasm
came to the young Elan's lips, but he re-
strained it, and in a moment was glad he
had done so. 1t would have wounded these
two kind, mild-looking men, vino, no doubt,
were as unable to realize the anxiety raised
in his breast by Beatrice's flight as he was
unable to comprehend the Importance of the
consequences which they were making such
sacrifices to avert. Seeing things in the
same light is q matter of constitution. educa-
ton. and training.
Just then Whitaker brought in tea and
whilst he handed it round Frank had leisure
to rejoice insomuch as he had kept his tongue
IN command. But misfortune had not yet
done with Lakewood House. Frank, in
moving his arm, knocked down a cup, and
sent its scalding contents over one of the
several delicious little Chippendale tables,
the pride of the Talberts' hearts and the envy
of their lady friends.
The simiIe of the Spartan boy and the fox
must have seemed even more appropriate to
Horace and Herbert as they snilingly assured
Frank it was of no consequence, none what
ever. They did not even ring for aid. This,
however. was because Whitaker, who bad
witnessed the catastrophe, was already on
his way to the scene with an armful Of soft
cloths He mopped and dabbed and wiped
the table as tenderly as mother might per-
form the additions Of an infant who suffered
from some irritation of the skin Horace
and Herbert watches him for a while, and
then, no doubt thinking their apparent care
lessness bad eased Franks mind, joined in
tie rubbing and wiping. They twisted up
corners Of their glass cloths. and poked them
into every little corner and intersticeexactly
as cleanly nurse would have explored the
ears and ewes Of her infant charge. Frank
was compelled to stand BIZ all the time and
feel what clumsy ruffian he had been He
sighed his relief as Whitaker at last gath
cred up the busters and departed
Conversation languished- The misfor-
tune TO the table seemed TO have driven
Beatrice into the background. There il
nothing like second grief for driving out
the first Frank felt that Horace and Her
bers were still thinking Of that n-usej
piece Of furniture He was right Pres
entity Hoa ace slipped out Of the room, and
returned with . small bottle Of furniture
polish and piece q flannel Grayely and
deliberately he began polishing his slender.
legged ChippeDdaie treasure