Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-03-26
CHAPTER XIV


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 all the while he was think
ing how Beatrice would have received the
news, bis communication was made with
none of his usual vivacity Horace and Her
bert were mildly astonished. They trusted
in that way which i'm plies dOubt-that if
would be for the best. To give up certainty
for an uncertainty seemed a 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 misfc:.
tunes of the house that the bottle of 1855
Nnould nave been shaken In somo way and
appeared cloudy, not to say thick. 1t might
nave bean as thick pea soup for all Franz
cared.
Nothing, or next to nothing, was said dur
ing dessert about the recent painful event.
Frank sat cody and silent He was work
ing out problems; connecting Beatrices flight
with the man of the afternoon and the visit
to the inn. For Bratrices sake he was now
fighting for his own hand Horace and Her
bert h. eliminated from the inquiry.
His moodiness affected his hosts and upon
his refusal to take more wine they suggested
an adjournment to ;he drawing-room Frank
agreed readily. AT any rate he could sit
there and gaze at Beatrice's portrait.
tn fol fiirtb cta
he asked
II think not said Horace. Herbert and
have talked the ma ter over and feel there
is no More to be donn. We saw a great
many people this afternoon, and am sure
have leit general impression that Beatrice
has gone to visit friends"
1T was most painful duty said Her
bert, but one we felt must be performed
In TACT it was due to ourselves to forestall
gossip"
Il am sure Frank quite understands the
situa ion said Horace.
A satrical smile curled round Franks
lips. 1T must have BEEN most painful" he
said; you must have felt like two Spartan
boys with a joint fox under their clothes
YES" said Herbert, simply: 1--WE did
Il have often heard the simile usedn said
Horace, but its great stren5 9Th 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 merrment A biting sarca I'm
came to the young mans lips, but he re-
strained it. and in moment was glad he
had done So 1t would have wounded these
two kind, mild-looking men, who, no doubt,
We're as unable to realize the anxiety raised
i'll his breast by Beatr .ce'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 a 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 cup, and
sent ITS scaling contents over one of the
several delicious little Chippendale tables,
the pride Of the Talberts hearts and the envy
OF their lady friends
The smile of the Spartan boy and the fox
must hav" seemed even more appropriate to
Horace and Herbert Il, they Smilingly assured
Frank IT was of no consequence, none what
ever. They did not even ring tor aid This,
however, was because Whitaker, who had
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 a tenderly as a mother might per-
form the ablutionS of an infant who suffered
from some irritation of tine skin. Horace
and Herbert watched him for "A while, and
then, no doubJ thinking their apparent care
le,sneSs had eased Franks mind joined in
the rubbing and wiping. They twisted up
kN/A Il Az