Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-02-19
A FAMILY AFFAIR
BY HUGH CONWAY.
CHAPTER XNIV-CoN

He must go and look al her portrait. There
was Tine one In the drawing room He
went there, stood before it fo,,a long time,
and &c the representation OF herself vowed
that she was the fafrest woman on earth,
well worthy for man to live or die for
Then he began to retrace his steps to the
library. As he crossed the hsIl he saw a
Strange&ght.
Whitaker, the irreproechable, the digni-
fed, with indignation written in every line
of his black-coated limbs. was standing at
the front door against which be leaned his
full weight, whilst with his right hand he
was struggling with some object which pre-
vented him from quite shutting the door.
| Closer examination showed Frank that this
was the end, about six inches, OF stout
walking stick-a contemplate object, yet, as
1t was held, powerful enough to foil the old
servants efforts. Whitaker was putting and
blowing, not SO much from his exertions as
from anger. His face was as red as a turkey
cocks Nothing impressed Frank more
strongly with thu feeling that unusual things
were happening at Lakewood House than
the sight Of this respectable old retainer III
such abnormal difficulties.
Whats the matter?n he said, going to the
door.
''Ib's man, Mr. Carruthers," pulled out
Whitaker.
What does he wantF'
He asked for Miss Clausoh, sir; / told
him she was away from honen
well, what Them Frank grew inter
ested. The parties outside and inside re-
manned in the deadlock.
He asked for her address, sir; told him
I did not know
well, what Them
He called me a damned liar, Mr.. Car
ruthers," said Whitaker, with supreme
emotion, and in a voice so low that it showed
how ashamed he was Of the occurrence-''a
damned liar, sir" The repetition sounded
almost fearful
open the door and let me haEe look at
him. said Frank.
II wouldn't, Mr. Carruthers, if l were
you, sir. believe he meditates making an
attack of personal violence"
Never mind; open the door, He won't
personal violence me, and you can stand be-
hind me-
This, as he was head and shoulders taller
than Frank, Whitaker felt to be sarcasm.
However, being accustomed to obey, he
opened the door, and Frank found himself
face to face with a man about his own age
A strong looking, muscular fellow, dressed
in the very height of fashion-too far up, in
fact, to look gentleman.
Maurice Hervey, of course Having given
Beatrice more than "a hours grace, he put in
execution his threat of looking her up. Not
that he expected to see her; not that he was
prepared with a plan of action in case she
proved recalcitrant; but he knew the call
would alarm her. 1t was only when he heard
from Whitaker that she was out of town
hot tba ~ hon. of Sc 10
by flight occurred to him. 1t completely
threw him off his balance, made him disre-
spectful to the old servant and even when
that functionary replied as a gentleman
servant should in such straits reply, by simply
closing the door, induced him to put his
stick between the door and the post.
Hervey looked at Frank; Frank, little
guessing what this mans existence meant to
him and Beatrice looked at Heryey.
"Wellr' he said, coldly.
II wish to repeat few inquiries which l
made of the servant when he SO uncivilly
shut the door in my face" said Hervey.
II beg to repeat the servants answers
which you so uncivilly received, " said Frank.
You do not know her address,"
IF you are speaking of Miss Clauson, I
do notn
Hervey hesitated.
You are not Mr.. Talbertf he said.
II am not said Frank, coldly.
''Mr. Talbert can no doubt give me the in
formationgn
mo doubt But presume he will want
to know your reasons for asking"
I'm wait and see him.
II don't think you will. OF course l have
no power to prevent your calling again, but
you will not wait here
Hervey scowled. "Will you try and turn
lie outE' he said defiantly.