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

PAINFUL DUTIES.
After the two great crimes OF removing
the landmarks of the constitution to pander
to the Masses" and not wiping ones shoes
the one an imperial, the other a domestic sin,
yet equally grave-unpunctuality at table
was the most heinous otfense in the eyes of
Horace and Herbert. Without being exactly
gourmands they liked their food cooked to
turn. Most bachelors who have turned 40
exhibit the same liking The Talberts took
great deal Of trouble about their cuisine, and
expected to be rewarded by finding every
thing from the salt to the salmon as it
should be. Such matter Us a hard-hearted
potato was all but unknown at their table,
and would have formed the subject for a
court of inquiry, and, if needed. revision
of kitchen utensils.
AT their refined dinner parties 1t was I'M
derstood that after n certain time of grace no
one was to be waited for 1t was their theory
that keeping several guests waiting for one
laggard was a breach of politeness. There
were unkind people who said that the broth
ers would break this rule for a lord They
wronged our friends. They would have
waited for no one under the rank of duke
or at least a marquis.
So that when Whitaker having struck the
resonant gong and so proclaimed that lunch
was ready, ten minutes passed by without
Beatrice's responding to its hospitable sum-
mons, it is no wonder that Horace and Her.
bert began to look grave The soup was on
the table; Whitaker was waiting his mas
ter's commands. He, who from long associa-
ton, felt the situation as much as they did
looked absolutely sympathetic Although he
had no reason to suppose her stone deaf he
ventured to suggest that Miss Clauson had
not heard the gong.
The beauty of the Talberts' character was
that politeness invariably triumphed over
principle. Punctuality was here the prin-
ciple; it was outraged, yet forced for while
to submit. Horace forbade a repeated sum-
mons, and they actually waited another five
minutes before they sent Whitaker to in
quire for Miss Clauson. Whitaker reported
that Miss Clauson, the nurse and the little
boy had gone out Immediately after break
fast and had not yet returned.
Then the nursery dinner will be spoiled,
too" said Horace sadly, as he seated himself
and ladled out the soup. Horace, with his
kind heart, felt for any one who was doomed
to suffer from a spoiled dinner
After solemn lunch the brothers waited
for while in the dining-room. They ex-
pected every moment that Beatrice would
scold her, but were prepared to say few
words of mild remonstrance; to show her,
in fact, how the bad example Of unpunctual-
ity must demoraliZe an establishment.
But as Beatrice did not appear the we'll
meant little lecture they were tacitly pre-
pairing turned into open expressions of won
der as to why her morning ramble should be
SO protracted. Perhaps she had gone some
where to lunch Perhaps something had
happened. Just as they had reached this last
stage of supposition, Whitaker brought in a
telegram. 1t was from Beatrice and sent
from Oxford Circus. We are in London-it
ran-do not be uneasy; will write tonight.
They were greatly surprised, and marveed
on what errand could she have gone to Lon
dont No doubt it was all right. She had
most likely gone to her fathers. Perhaps
Sir Mangay was i'll. Beatrice might have
intercepted a telegram and impulsively
started off at once. But why take the child
and the nursei Whya There they were
unable to make head or tail of the matter sc
could only wait for the mornings post
Beatrice might have been more explicit
said Horace, looking at the telegram once
| more
Yes" said Herbert, "she had nine word.
to spare"
kilograms are one of the pests Of modern
| life" continued Horace. People dash of
these ill-worded, unprecedented phrases in
stead OF proper letter. No one can write
| decent letter now"
Horace, who had the gift of writing pecu
liarly well-constructed and elegant, if rather
too lengthy, epistles, felt keenly on the ten
drncy of the age to conduct its correspond
| ence by means of short, swapping sentences
after the manner of Mr.. Mordle's style o
talking
Il hope she will be back SOON" said Her
bert. Prank comes to us the day after to
| morrow"
He is in good health now, isn't her
| Splendid, / believe"
Then think we can give him the IS thi
time-the AZ is growing low"
| This was not meanuess. 1t was but thu
caution wise man exercises over his cellar
Besides, who could complain Of the delicat
graduation 1853 il IA fine wine; many prefe
| it to 1S47.
Beatrice's promised letter came in tn
morning. Horace read it first. His face wa
a perfect blank. He read it again before HI
handed it to the anxious Herbert, who, al
though he saw from his brothers face tha
once unable to mike the slightest guess a
the truth. Here is Beatrice's letter:
MY Very Dear Uncles: should be migrate
full for the kindness you have shown me if
left you in any anxiety moment longer thai
| could help. | sent You telegram yester
day afternoon to show you that no evil hat
befallen me.
Il scarcely know what to say to you.
can at present offer no excuse for what | al
about TODD | lean give no explanation. Whe
| came to Hazlewood House ! hoped to h
able to make it my home for so long as yo
would keep me. Now, find, / am forced t
leave you and make home of my own, More
over, | am forced for while at least to kee
silence as to where that home may he. A
this moment have not even determined
will, however, he out of England | came
even tell you why this must be so. win yo
ever forgive met
please do not fear on my account. i al
growing old and can well take care of my
solf besides, Mrs. Miller will be with mC
also Harry, so that | shall not be dull.
IF cannot promise to tell you where