Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-02-26
CHAPTER XVI.

After one or two unsuccessful attempts
Carruthers found Mrs John Rawlings in
stalled behind the family counter a t No. l42
Gray street. She was very hard at work
no doubt endeavoring to make up for her
husbands repeated absences. In her hands
she held what appeared like long salmon
colored two-inch rope, which, by dexterous
twist of the wrist, or some manipulation only
known to the initiated, she was rapidly trans
forming into ornamental and symmetrical
feStoonS of those luscious articles of diet
sausages. Upon learning that Carruthers
wished to speak to her in private she wiped
her hands on CLOTH and, lifting up a flap,
or species of drawbridge, in the counter
begged he would step through and follow
her upstairs.
He did So and was shown into what Mrs,
Rawlings called the parlor; room papered
with startling paper, carpeted with a
dazzling carpet; furnished with imitation
walnut chairs and couch upholstered in the
brightest blue tapestry; the mantelpiece
bearing mirror in a FURNISHED gilt frame
and, among other gay ornaments, a huge
pair of those glass vases with lspended
prisms known as lustres; the fire glowed
very brightly, and was kept in order by a
fender and fireirons of flashing STEEL 1t was,
in fact, room which appeared to open its
eyes and glare at you as you entered. A
man even more anxious and preoccupied
than Frank was could rot fail to be struck
with the general effect. 1t would have been
positively ungTacious not to have noticed it.
What bright rooml' he said.
1T is bright ROOM" SID Mrs Rawlings
in a gratifed way. You see, sir, we often
kill as many as thirty pigs before break
fast
This seemed a depression without bearing
upon the main subject. Poor thingsr' said
Frank, without MAKING it clear whether he
referred to the pigs or their slayers.
cat first, when l married Rawlings,
found it q melancholy business; so l made
up my mind to have everything away from
the factory bright and cheerful"
You have succeeded here said Frank.
as he took the azure covered chair offered
him.
Il hope so. You see, sir, continued Mrs.
Rawlings, every business has its d awbacks
as well as its advantages. Many don't like
the pork business, but it's a nice clean bust
ness-there's no dust about it like there is
about baking. l hate dust of any Sort
At another time Carruthers might have
been amused and have tried to draw this
woman out, but he was now only anxious to
hear about Beatrice, so he commenced his
inquisition.
Yes; Mrs. Ra wings had been at Black
town. Size had stayed at the Cat and
Compasses.H She, or rather her husband,
had believed little boy to be their missing
son. A young lady had called upon her
one morning. She gave no name, but she
was tall young lady; very handsome: and
"ith gray eyes; beautifully dressed; IN fact.
quite young lady. Yes, poor thingi quite
lady.
Would Mrs Rawlings tell her visitor what
had been said or done at that interview
Oh, no-rever. The good woman shut her
eyes, compressed her lips, and shook her
head slowly and solemnly; the combined
effects of these actions being meant to show
that Beatrice's communication was forever
locked up in the sacred repository of her
heart.
Mrs. Rawlings really meant to keep Bea-
trice's secret, and doubtless had no pressure
been applied she would have kept it Loyalty
But unluckily she was one Of those who have
TO struggle to retain a secret, not only its
main body, but little corners which would
slip out unawares- In trying to guard Bea-
trice's secret from her visitors renewed
questions she was like one trying TO pack
feather bed into q travelling trunk; as one
part was pushed down another part rose up
The words poor thingf' applied to Beatrice
had already raised Franks curiosity TO the
highest pitch, and made him believe that the
present inquiry was not collateral.
Was lie justified in striving TO learn what
Beatrice wished hid: He thought 20. He loved
her with a pure, unselfsh love; so unselfsh
that he was not endeavoring TO find the
cause OF her flight for his own ends, but in
order to be able TO give her aid If she re-
euired it. Yes, the man who loved her had
right to try and learn all about the wouisa
whom ne believed loved him Besides, had
Beatrice IN any way bound this woman TO
secrec-f He could scarcely believe l. He
fsncieu that Mrs Rawlings, as ssC1e people
viii, was making q mystery OF nothing.
Beatrice NAV have given her money to with
dI aw the absurd claim, and she was ashamed
TO confess the fact.
Look here," said Carruthers I must
and viii NOW what took place between you
and the lady. ] warn you that by conceal
ment you may do her the greatest wrong.
You cannot harm her By telling the truth
Again Mrs Rawlings shut her eyes and
shook her bead
Again Frank resell her, again and again. !
She stu kept the secret, but eyer Snd anon.
~ means OF SUMO unguArsisi expression, let !
q corner slip out So much 50 that Frank /
fully rsalized the fact that Beatrice was