The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-07-15
FORCED APART
BY W. CLARK RUSSELL.
Author of the "Wrech; of the Grosrenor,
"a Sailors Sweetheart" Etc.
CHAPTER VII.
AN ANXIOUS PARENT.

school, Dr. Shaw sat alone In his study. Inc
boys were long since gone to bed; the ushers
were congregated in living room set apart
for them. .-a .,-
Closing his book, he drew out his watch-a
fat dial that popped like cork from bis fob
and sat erect to inspect it. Half-past nine
exactly; observing which he pulled the bell.
A maid servant opened the door.
sGHas Mr.. Cuthbert come ina"
GNo, SIR"
Now, the proper hour for Mr. Cuthbert to
return from his evening spell of all hour and
half was niue o'clock. Punctual to the
moment latterly he never was; but before
this night never had ne delayed his return by
half an hour.
This was liberty. This was bad ex-
ample. The doctors soul rose in resentment.
How could he reprimand unpunctuality in
another, if his son, the schools exemplar, as
his father had striyen to make him in oil
things, fagrantly omitted the first Of virtues
to the disciplnarian'
Anger, being excited, must find vent some
how; and DR.. Shay fell to pacing tho room
actively, meditating thoughts harsher than
reproof, to be delivered when Cuthbert
should appear.
For q quarter Of an hour this idle activity
endured, with now and then pause be-
tween, that his ear might strain at the blow
ing wind
Then he pulled the bell rope again sharply.
@No, sir, Mr.. Cuthbert amt come in yet.
GLOW do you know?"
9His slippers amt in the rack, sir"
Now passed another short time
The doctor looked at his watch, opened the
study door, and listened ....
Anger was melting into alarm. A tremu-
lous BUSINESS of memory kept him breathing
quickly. And, above all things, his heart
yearned for his son.
As he stood, with head inclined, to bring
his ear to full reception Of all sound with'
out the house, Mr. Saunderson came from
the ushers room, humming snatch OF song.
The doctor turned to look at him
.GOh, Mr.. Saunderson," he exclaimed,
@win you be pleased to tell me if you have
seen my son since he left the house this eve
ning!'
.No, sir, not since he left the house."
"That is very strange, Dir. Saunderson."
as not he returned yet sir2'
aHe is not It's past ten o'clock, and his
usuS, I should say his prescribed, hour IS
nine, as is known to you, Mr.. Saunderson."
Mr.. Saunderson Of course looked at his
watch. ~ am mortified by this unaccount-
able behavior" continued the doctor "There
is nothing that should detain him. Does it
not strike you as very singular, Mr. Saun-
dersonW
@7yhy, sir, it is somewhat odd, perhaps"
reioined Mr.. Saunderson, little too dlplo-
matte to pledge himself. to an emphatic
opinion before he had acquired larger
knowledge of the doctors views of the sub
iect.
II repeat" exclaimed DR.. Shaw, "that there
isnothing that should detain him. He knows
the rules, and this defiance of discipline, this
defiance, say, Mr.. Saunderson, isis"
Well might he stammer and stop in such
strain of lip reasoning. He looked eagerly
at the door, and drew out his watch for the
twentieth time.
"Sir, this procrastination cannot be mere
unpunctuality-thcre must be substantial,
G reasonable cause for his delay" observed
Nlr. Saunderson, rattling his rs.
II think so. sir-I think So"
"f agreeable to you, should be happy
to walk to the town and make inquiries"
SNo, am obliged to you; not at this hour.
III not suffer myself to feel anxious. My
son has shown himself restless lately There
have been signs of impatience In his be-
havior, as though our discipline fretted him.
This conduct tonight must mean resolu-
ton toto free himself from the traces-he
must think it manly to defy us, sir. But"
cried the fiery old man, "my house shall be
locked up at the usual hour; the last person
in the world to merit my forbearance in
matter of this sort is my son."
aSurely, sir" cried MI Saunderson, with
g rich roll of tho "r" in sir, "you do not con-
sider that he has left you?'
.Left me! What has put such q thought
into your mind!" said the doctor, in a sharp,
febrile whisper, and his eyes shone under his
'srSSte eyebrows
HI1FsShy, SIR" stanmered Mr.. Saunderson,
ted time to recollect himself and ap-
" .nena lis own meaning, lit seems to mo
= strahge thing, sir, that you should bolt
,-orr door upon your son, DR.. Shaw, unless
,-o,, biieve that he does not mean to come
home sir ;"
: ~ do not understand you, Mr.. Saunder-
son Fray step this way and oblige me with
-,oI,r meaning" exclaimed the doctor, with
eScsement half suppressed in bis manner;
II aT,. closing the study door, he said in
SSebED voice: hT. LoluuueISOil, IL yOu CaA
srow any light upon my sons absence de-
sNe-I have to beg you will do So"
IT really can throw no light upon it, sir
none whatever" replied MIR. Saunderson-
"You may be pretty sure that he will re-
turn home presently, sir. That he should be
uneasy under the discipline of this school is q
GOOD reason to account for his present loiter
ing. And there is no doubt, DR.. Shaw, that
he is uneasy, sir" said Mr.. Saunderson, with
nod at the doctor, who, at the first words,
had looked up and stood listening, with his
head on one side
"You are right, Nj: SauuderSon; he is un-
easy" replied the doctor
II believe, sir, your son covets larger
sphere of action, DR.. Shaw"
"Hc has admitted this to you, Mr. Saunder-
son'"
.Well, sir, he has"
"And when, pray::'
"Wcll, sir, if the truth must be told, this
@ eftarnCon y