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

Heaven knows he would do it and seek no
reward.
He groaned. lie was very miserable and
cast down. 1t was in this very room he had
bemoaned his first sorrow. He had recovered
from that and had encouraged bimself to
hope that the woman he lovel would, after
all, be his. And now to come and find her
gone-guue without a word-gone no one
knew whither-no one knew N>lyl To feel
that she was flying from some menacing evil
and yet not know what He was very I'M
happy
He had come down with such news for her
news which even as friend she would
have been glad to hear. He had breathed no
word OF it t. her in London; had resolved to
say nothing about it until all was settled.
At last he saw his way to giving up the
drudgery of teaching what he bitterly called
fools lie had for years been a thrifty man,
and the money he had saved was not small
sum. For years he had dreamed of literature
as profession, and now he saw his way to
realization of that dream. His political
articles had attracted attention. lie had
been offered au important journalistic post.
A manuscript from which he expected great
things was in the printers hands. He saw
certain amount of renown ii not fortune
waiting for him AL this he had come down
ford, wound up his affairs, and babe the
classic town farewell.
1t seemed as if, whenever he counted on
draining the cup of joy, it was struck from
his lips
He must find Beatrice. Sacred as her wish
not to be traced might be to Horace and
Herbert Frank felt that it did not affect
him. He would not of course stoop to call
ing In detective aid, but the utmost he could
do to solve the mystery should be done. To
Frank, Beatrice's fight appeared in a far
more serious light than it did to her uncies.
ne must go ana looK at ner portrait. inere
was a fine one in the drawing room. He
| went there, stood before it for a long time,
and to the representation of herself vowed
| that she the fairest woman on earth,
well worthy for a man to live or die for.
Then he began to retrace his steps to the
| library. As he crossed the hall he saw
strange sight.
Whitaker, the irreproachable, the digni-
! fed, with indignation written in every line
of his black-coated limbs was standing at
the front door against which he 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
walking stick-a contemplate object, yet, as
it was held powerful enough to foil the old
servants efforts. Whitaker was putting and
blowing not so much from his exertions MS
from anger His face red as turkey
cocks Nothing impressed Frank more
strongly with the feeling that unusual things
were happening at Lakewood House than
the sight of this respectable old retainer in
such abnormal difficulties.
whats the matter!" he said, going to the
door.
''It's man, Mr.. Carruthers," pulled out
Whitaker.
"What does he wantT'
'He asked for Miss Clauson, sir; l told
him she away from home"
"Well, what thenr Frank grew inter-
ested. The parties outside and inside re-
manned in the deadlock.
''He asked for her address, sir; told him
l did not know
"Well, what thenr'
"He called me a damned liar, Mr.. Car
ruthers," said Whitaker, with supreme
emotion, and in 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 have a look at
him. said Frank.
II wouldn't, Mr.. Carruthers, if | were
you, sir l 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 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
that the idea of her attempting to evade him
by fight occurred to him. 1t completely
threw him off his balance, made him disre-
spectful to the old servant, and even when
that functionary replied gentleman's
servant should in such straits reply, by simply
closing the door, induced him to put his
stick between the door and the post
Hervev looked at Frank; Frank little
guessing what this mans existence meant to
him and Beatrice looked at Hervey.
"Wel' he said coldly.
II wish to repeat few inquiries which |
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 uncivlly received said Frank.
"You do not know her address,
IF you are speaking Of Miss Clauson,
do not
Hervey hesitated.
"You are not Mr.. Talbertf' he said.
II am not said Frank, coldly.
''Mr. Talbert can no doubt give me the in
formationf
mo doubt. But presume he will want
to know your reasons for asking"
IN 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
me outf' he said, defantly.
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