Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-01-08
CHAPTER VI.
BEATRICE TRIUMPHANT.

Miss Clauson carried her point Her sue
Cess was duo to a curious combination of
events, as well as to her own persistence and
eloquent pleading. She managed to get I'm
Gle Herbert alone-a difficult matter, as the
"Tabbics" were almost always together-and,
after sundry arguments and entreates if I'M
able to win his consent to her proposed ar
rangement exacted n promise from him that
he would not object if Horace approved of
her keeping the boy. To be sure ho had not
the faintest idea that Horace would consent.
Mr.. Mordle, the adviser of the family, and
Herbert Talbert thus brought on her side OF
rendered neutral, Horace remained the arbter
of the boys fate, and Miss Clauscn directed
all her energies toward making hi:l yield
Like a clever girl she took caro- thar the
young intruder should be no nuisance 70 eny
one, not even to the servants. Wen her
uncles saw him they saw him at his bet At
the first signs Of bad behavior Beatrice whip
ped him away. As he had not yet run mr. .ck
through their bric-a-brac, not dcla, .iehel
ruby-backed plate, or dctIuncated Chelsea
figure, they had no fault Ia find with his gen
eral behavior. Indeed, they liked 10 see the
little fellow about the place, and the coniiding
way in which sometimes he climbed upon
Horaces knee was quite touching. He was
not bit afraid of these tall, grave men,
Children see further in some ways than grown
up people, and no doubt tho little boy felt ~
stnctively that many excellent feminine
traits We're hidden under the broad bosoms of
the stalwart 'Tabbicsn
They tacitly left his fate in allegiance for
more than n week; then Beatrice, who per-
haps tremblrl lest s>me childish act of mis-
chief might defeat her ends, and who thought
that the boy had well done his part in the af-
fair by making himself SO easily tolerated, at
tackled her uncles once more. True to his
promise, Herbert said his brother must decide
the matter.
'n)o you want the child to stayT asked
Hot turning to the speaker
II told Beatrice you should decide"
This answer assured Horace that Herbert
knew everything that was to be known.
My dear Beatrice" he said, 1.-THE thing
quite impracticable,"
Her mouth quiyered 1t was clear she had
set her heart on keeping her new pet
why is it impracticablei What difference
can a child make i'll n house like thiss He will
be my sole care
Uncle Horace looked uneasy. my dear.
you forget it may give rise to scandal"
Scandal what scandal
Horace grew red. One can't talk plainly f
young, innoceR girls without feeling how bad
mankind in general is
"Hum-ha,n he said. "You must remem-
Der, Beatrice, we are two single men; not ell
derby men. AS soon as it is known that we
have kept the child sent here so strangely, we
give handle to suspicion and scandal. Do
you agree with me, HerbertF'
Il am afraid it will be so, Beatrice said
Herbert, rcgretfllly
Miss Classon drew herself up proudly 1t
was an action the Talbarts always liked to
see in the girl, and which had a great effect
ON them.
'Surely," she said, you Of all people arc
above suspicion and scandal"
They were pleased TO think this was the
truth, They felt that Beatrice was right.
What, after all, had scandal to do with them,
The domestic virtues and clockwork regula-
ton of Lakewood House might defy tho
breath of the most censorous world. AS this
great truth came home TO him Horace seemed
to purr with pleasure.
But he had no intention of yielding He
was for one thing much annoyed with Her
bert. Herbert evidently wanted the boy 80
stay. If SO he should say so outright, not j
Beatrice fight his battles. SO the most L,
trice could get him to promise was that A.
boy might remain for a few days longer.
In those few days something happenof
First of all piece of gossip Went round Il.
neighborhood and eventinllv roa"i"'