Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-03-19

They sat staring at one another and feel
ing that such an unlocked for catastrophe
had never before happened since the world
!ogan to be peoplcd by ladies' and gentlemen.
Their niece, the feminine counterpart of
themselves; the embodiment, TO their minds,
of all that a well-bred, well-born woman
should be, to be guilty of such an escapade.
1t was awful, perfectly awful
They read the letter again and again,
discussed the meaning of sentences, even of
words; but this Analysing process helped
them nothing. SO they turned to reconsider
in new light Beatrice herself as they knew
her or fancied they knew her.
Although neither of the Talberts had ever
felt the tender passion it was thought by
many that if either were attacked, Herbert
would be the victim. A widow anxious to
re-enter the holy estate of matrimony would
have directed her attention to the younger
man as being of more malleable material
than the elder. There was, indeed, vague
tradition floating about that Herbert had
once upon a time looked rather tenderly upon
some young lady, and that had not Horace
with praiseworthy sefishness promptly inter-
fered and nipped the affair in the bud he,
Horace might now be living in solitude with
all the cares of Lakewood House on his
preached the puzzle from the romantic side.
you don't think" he said, that Beatrice
could have any-any unfortunate attach
ment of which we should have disapprovedr
How could such thing be possiblef'
I'VE thought such thing as her leaving
us like this an impossibility"
This argument impressed Horace. He
thought the matter carefully over. NO."
he said, with the air of a judge giving a de-
cision, at is impossible. She has given no
signs of such a thing She has seemed quite
happy and contented. Her appetite has, ]
think. been very good"
eyes, very good" said Herbert.
Besides, who could there be9 She is also
her own mistress, and if she wished to marry
we have no voice in the matter. She is quite
capable of having her own way. Witness
her leaving all that money idle"
Horace had never got over that present Of
seven per cent to the bankers.
Herbert, in obedience to his brothers views,
dismissed the unfortunate attachment theory
and began to look for another. 81 wonder"
he said sadly, and after long pause, II
wonder if we have misunderstood Beatrice's
character"
81 am almost afraid it is So" said Horace.
sighed Herbert. "True, that affair about
those people and the boy upset her."
"Now," said Horace, ~ believe you are
getting nearer the mark. Can it pe possible
that any fear that the child would be taken
from her induced her to make this foolish
aight-I can call it nothing elser
Herbert objected in his turn. Beatrice had
been so certain that the claim would come to
nothing, and events had proved her sagacty.
So they talked and talked, suggested and rea-
soned, but never got near the truth. They
could not even frame theory. Nothing in
this world is more annoying than to be with
out theory.
At last Horace rose "Something must be
DONE" he said, decisivefy.
Yes" assented Herbert, inquirinsly.
1--WE are, it appears to me, placed in a
most unfortunate position. This mysterious
flight involves the most grievous conse-
quences. We must do something which
feel sure will be repugnant to both of u.s."
You will not employ any one to trace
herT'
Certainly not. She is her own mistress,
and can go where she chooses. | am think
ing more about ourselves. Life will become
intolerable if the matter gets bruited
abroad"
How can we help it, All the household
knows that Beatrice has gone, and gone with
out any luggage
THAT" said Horace, with mild triumph,
II have thought out" He rang the bell and
asked for the paror maid.
Jane" he said, Miss Clauson has been
called to London. VIII you be good enough
to get such things packed in her trunks as she
is likely to want for lengthy visit also pack
the nurses box and the child's things"
Jane courtesied and withdrew. Presently
she returned and asked how many dresses
she had better packi
1.-TWO morning and four evening dresses '
said Horace, promptly. Herbert admired
his brothers great mind, which rose so equa
| to the occasion.
Then Jane wanted to know which dresses
The two new ones, of course. Then what
| The black silk, the black lace, the high body
with jet trimmings, the brocade upper skirt
| or what2 For the moment even Horace wa:
at fault. He soon recovered.
| 1--WE will come and assist you" he said.
So they went to Beatrice's room, and will
eyeglasses fixed stood one on each side OF
the trunk and superintendent the packing
Much as they delighted in odd jobs of th
kind, to-day they felt no pleasure. They
scarcely dared to glance at each other. They
felt ashamed, as all honorable men do, whC
by irresistible stress of circumstances are
compelled to act a lie The packing wa
conl bleted. Jane was sent to see to Mrs. Mil
leSs and the boys things. The selection o
these our friends did not superintend. Thu
boxes were brought down, placed in tn,
wagonette, and Horace and Herbert drove
away with them. Nothing could have beer
more skillfully managed. Even Whittake
was completely deceived.
They took the boxes and warehoused then
in Blacktown. you see," said Horace, a
he turned the horses heads homewarCt
beatrice has gone to London. She mean
to make lengthy stay She must want he
things. Any woman would"
Every word you spoke was the exac
TRUTH" said Herbert consolingly.
But they were horribly upset; so upse
that they forgot all about Franks impending
visit, or forgot about it until the mex
morning, when they found it was too lat
to telegraph.
Frank, with "hope eternal' growing lik
a eucalyptus, came down as he had fore
warned his friends, by the morning train