Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-05-07

Sylvanus positively sparkled when he
heard the news. 1t freed his conscience
from a shadow which had for months boon
lying upon 1.-THE shadow of the Cat and
Compasses.n He took q hand OF each of his
friends.
"Sorry for one thing-onlv one That
didn't join these hands. Would have given
worlds any thing-gone to Munich on pur-
pose. needn't tell either Of you why
wished to do it,"
The last words we're spoken with genuine
feeling. Mr.. and Mrs. Carruthcrs pressed
the curate's hanls and thanked him for his
good wishes. When they left him Sylvanus
called for his tricycle. and propelled himself
ten miles out and ten miles home again He
did So he told himself, to keep his wind up
to sermon mark. He was unwilling to con-
fess that the need for such violent bodily
exercise was brought about by the sight Of
Beatrice as bride
That night at Hardwood House the table
was as tasteiully laid, the napcry MS smooth
and spotess. the glass as lustrous the wines
as unilnpnachable the crockery aS perfect
as ever. Frank did nearly all the talking.
He spoke OF his future plans of the life he
and Beatrice meant to lead as coolly ms if
all her frien Is had been at her we ding
Beatrice said very littl.. She was simply
quietly happy. Horace thought the vouGg
couple lchavcd very we'll As be remarked
to Herbert afterward, "Thrre werr none of
those embarras ing little familiariie' which
so often make the company of a BRIDE and
bridegroom-well, undesirable"
Beatrice left the men and stroied through
the garden. Horace and Herbert hen fiji ed
their glasses, and in courtlv way wished
Frank every happiness. Mot said IIor-
ace, THAT We can honestly say we approve
of your having been married in thiS .landes-
tine way. But you may of course, have
had good reasons for it,"
I'VE had good reasons said Frank.
1--WE think, however, we have a right to
ask for an explanation of Beatricls strange
conduct-her flight and conceamentn
Certainly said Herbert, ''most certain
ly"
So Frank told them all. As he had the
command of language and spoke in earnest
tones, as he had the skill to make certain
shadows look lighter, and to bring out strong
points in his clients favor most strongly: as
he could speak of what she had endure, and
so invoke pity as well as mercy, Beatrice
could scarcely have found a better advo-
cate.
But Horacel HERBERT A line of notes of
exclamation would not properly express
their su Prise With eyes fxel on the
speak ,ley listened like persons under q
spell. Even when Frank had said his say
they continued to gaze at him. Horace
was the first to speak. rs this truein he
gasped.
Every word Of it-poor grlW said Frank.
Then sail Horace, with his no appeal
manner, 'we can never forgive her-never
see her again. Neverw
He glanced at Herbert, as if expecting the
usual echo. Bat it did ut come. Frank rose
Very WELL then there's nothing more tc
be said III go and tell my wife to put her
things on. Which is the best Backtowr
hotelf
Tins was staggering shot. 1t was {
cruel shot. Carruthers was right when b.
said it would take great deal to make the
Talberts turn even a dog away.
GIVE us a few minutes to talk it over,
said Herbert. Let us leave you here fol
awhile"
"No. I'll go into the garden cam
give you more than twenty minutes, because
most of our things are unpacked. and it i.
growing Late
Before he left them he spoke again: thi
time with all his former earnest ness
"Horace, HERBERT he said, turning from
one to the other ''In talk ing this over. re
member, that if you cannot forgive aer w,
must be strangers hereafter BY casting hel
off you give the World right TO say VIVA
1t chooses. Remember, also she is my wifi,
that she loves you -tlat She IS even nov
on thorns of suspense awaiting your de
cision.'
With this he lett them went into tn, gar
den, and, out OF sight oil the house, wake,
with his arm around Be atrIte and Lad ne
be of good cheer.
Before the twenty minutes had xpired
Whitaker came to inform tn,ln ma Mr.
Talbert desired him to say that tea wa
waiting in the drawing room f. AMI
smiled, drew Beatric,'s trembling arm
within his own and led heg in lo,rs. A
soon Us Whitaker had Withdrawal afte
/ handing round tho tea Horace spoke. Ii
was standlug up, nls cup III uls nand an,
his calm eyes secnItd to be gazing at nothing
my dear BEATRICE ne said very gray ely
81 think ii you and Frank could manage t,
prolung your stay till tomorrow week w
| might ask IA few friends to meet you a din
ner. The invitation will be a short one bu
| under the circumstances will no doubt bt
! excused"
Carruthers turned away to hide a smile
| Yet he felt that, considering who tn
speaker was, no words could have been bet
ter, more judcously or more deicately
| chosen to express the fact that Horace an,
and not only to say no more about her mis-
deeds, but, also, if necessary, show tn
world that they took her part. 1t was
triumph.
No more was said; but Beatrice cou no
refrain from letting few tears of gratitud
bedew HOraco's immaculate SHIRT front, o
from sitting for a little while with Herbert
hand in hers.
Sir Mangay had, of course, to he told all
This was painful task, as telling Sir Main
gay meant telling Lady Clauson. Her lady
ship had her revenge by being able to sa,
the girl had after all, 'done something dis
graceful" but as sac thinks great dea
| about the honor Of her husbands family
she will not proclaim the correctness G
her estimate OF Beatrce's character.
And others will have to be told. Tn
Oakbury people will hear a great dea
They will shake their heads and gossip
But fortunately, or unfortunately, Mr.
and Mrs. Carruthers' future life will nc
be spent among these families of position
so such gossip will matter little to them
They viii live in the great world of Lon
don and Frank Carruthers may or ma