The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-07-08
FORCED APART
By W. CLARK RUSSELL.
author of the "Wreck of the Grosrenor,
-. "a Sailors S,ceetheart," Etc.
CHAPTER ".
BREAKFAST TIME

digestions.
His own mild hint yesterday, by which he
had hoped to put his father of from graphing
questions, had stirred him into perception OF
new sympathies in his nature With thoughts
of his wife, and the secret to be divulged be-
fore another night should come, had mingled
impulses of freedom, a yearning for the
shows and struggles of an outer world,
and placid weariness Of spirit, when the
school room rose in his eyes, with the tasks
to be set and the ignorance to be corrected.
His resolution to proclaim his secret was g
uuickening spirit in the soil Of his mind,
terminating seeds there which he himself
knew not Of.
aWhy need fear my fathers anger!" he
thought, as he threw open his bedroom WIN
>dow, and stood in stream Of sweet warm
wind, fresh from the blue water; Il have
served him dutfully, and will yet justify all
his fine thoughts of his calling by sticking to
it, if be will love Jenny, and bear with me
for marrying her.. If not the world Is big
enough to find me wc-k, surely! What am
fitted for shall not trouble me; but what l
can get to do, III do"
This honest soliloquy done, he betook him
self to dressing.
Never looking glass gave back hand
somer face than that inte which he glanced.
Such picture of dark auburn hair, white
brow and blue eyes, bright with mind, as
would set a heartless beauty dreaming like
faithful sweetheart
And now for the days dry work, the first
stage Of which was the meeting Of the boys
in the schoolroom, to await, amid cracking
of yawns and restless shutting of feet, the
arrival Of DR.. Shaw in that academic gown
of his, which he donned only to read tho
morning prayers III or to birch boy.
Between prayer time and breakfast time
there vas half hour, to employ which
proftably to his spirits, that stood sorely in
need of regenerating influences, and also to
escape his fathers eyes, the twist of which,
when they all got off their knees, he did not
relish, Cuthbert went into the fields before
the house; and so, through the glorifying
sunshine and the narrow footway in the
barley, down to tho short grass OF the cliff
edge, on the swell Of which he stood within
fathom Of the sheer fall
A scene of summer beauty and morning
splendor was this he overlooked.
But Cuthbert was toiling with giant in
his mind, ard nature was. only blue and
green to him; for there is nothing dainty to
troubled mind but ease, and this our young
friend could not get, neither by sitting nor
by standing.
But no use standing moodily conjecturing
trouble. So back again to the school house
through the crops, which went whispering to
the passage o. the wind, as though they had
snatched secret from it.
To tile ushers-this old-fashioned term is
very meaning-was conceded the privilege
Of breakfasting with the boys. But Cuth-
bert would have been glad to exchange
places with any one of them that morning,
so little fancy had he for q ete-a-tete with
bis father.
It ysas his 6uty, however, to be in the room
when the boys assembled, and observe that
grace was duly said by ono of the masters,
and deliver the order for the boys to fall to.
Under the clock he stood, punctual to the
hour. and in q hungry swarm the boys
tllmbled in.
Grace having been said by a bachelor OF
arts, and the order to begin given, out sprang
forty hands from under the tables and the
pyramids lost their form and substance.
Then Master Cuthbert, with a pleasant
smile around him, left the room.
Old DR.. Shaw, with his legs crossed, and
showing no prodigy Of calf, bent an eye upon
his son as he entered the room that seemed
to twist round and round into him.
Cuthbert took a chair and waited, with his
father, for the servant to bring in the ham
and teapot.
Until these things were forthcoming the
doctor held his tongue.
Then. wheeling round, cup in hand and
y n,,l
after an old-fashioned habit of drinking tea,
he looked hard at Cuthbert.
aI have no right yet, suppose" said he, in
level voice, ito ask you to explain your
mysterious hints of yesterday!"
at was understood, sir, that should have
day or two for reflection"
"For reflection on what" demanded the
doctor, sharply.
"In asking that, you ask all, father"
4All!"
The doctor uttered tho exclamation with a
most embracing emphasis.
Cuthbert made no answer.
~ should be glad to have my doubts set at
rest" continued the doctor, with gloomy
nod Of the head, intended to serve as chal-
lenge
Still no reply from CuthbeIt
"Indeed!" exclaimed DR.. Shaw, with a
great deal of the schoolmaster in his face and
q flourish of the saucer, II have right to
demand an answer from you"
$50 you have, sir, unquestionably.
"Then give ME, in a few words, the mean
ing Of this change in your behavior"
"A few words will convey nothing"
"Then," shouted the doctor, "be elaborate.
Give me proltxity if you will, SO that you eS-
plain"
"Pray, sir. moderate your inpatience.
Apledge myself to be open with you shortly"
Dr. Shaw grew red in the face, and de-
5 $osite1 his cup and saucer, that he might
>gesticulatc unconstrninelly.
"What," said he, subduing tho passion in
bis voice, ',vhut desire to know, is this
matter-n your mind, that is-nct yet ripe
for confession"
~ have promised to tell you"
'When, sir"
"PoSsibly tomorrow.
$50, sir, it is Il secretn said the doctor,
with his eyes full of evaporation.