Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-08-16
A FAMILY AFFAIR.
CHAPTER XIV (CoSTISUED).
BY HUGH CONWAY.


He ran to the door and threw IL open.
On the threshold stood, not Beatrice, but
terrible disappointment black
robed cure of Mrs. Miller. the nurse.
What in the world could this somber UNI
inter sting woman want with him at this
hour OF the night?
''You-Mrs. Miller" he exclaimed. as
anything the natter"
''May come in sir?" she asked.
Certainly, what can | do for you?'
Mrs. Miller drew near to him. May i
Speak few words to you, Mr.. Carruth-
ers!' She asked the favor lespectf lily,
but as one who fully expected it would be
granted.
''Speak away said Frank, good-na
turedly. "But is there anything wrong
in the house!
Nothing more than you know of, sir. ("
Her words Lore meaning which did
not cape Carruth rs. They told
him that Mrs. Miller was qu to
aw re of wha had taken place be-
tween him and Beatrice. He need
mentally. The thought of his rejection
becoming the gossip of tho servants hall
was not pleasant
well 1t me hear what you have t.
say He spoke with more asperlty than
u ual
"Mr. Carruthers. she said, tell me
how much you love Miss Beatrice"
The Sudden question aygered as well
as ANNOYED + ank lie frJwned. al am
not in the habit o. making condolences to
to strangers. He was going to say
"inferiors,' bat it was word he hated
u ng.
"Oh si-; d mt misun lerstand me-
1 4 n,
| ling earneStness-'tellm me; set my mind
at rest. Let me know that YOU love her
with all your heart and sou - that the
very ground her foot presses is h ly to
you-that you could cherish her, care for
her he true TO er until death Tell me
this and make me happy. Surely you
are not ashamed of loving her >
Her manner was so impressive that
| C3rruthers for the moment forgot 1t was
| tut a servant who addres ed him. mo,
he said, speaking slowly, and with eyes
| fixed on the opposite all. mo. l am
not ashamed of loving I er. What on
cern 1t is of your can not devne; but 1
| love your IN stresses as UGH as a man can
| love woman.
Mrs. Miller bent down and kissed his
hand. She murmured few words which
| he could not catch. Most men not being
kings or prin es Oh ect to having their
| hands kissed. Frank did. Have you
anything more to say he asked.
only this, sir-Jou will wait, will you
not >
Wat. For WHAT
For her-fCr Mi Peat ice. Oh. Mr..
Carruthers, you won go in fit of anger,
and give yourself away to the first doll
faced woman who smiles OH you? You
will wait for the won n you love-fve,
ten, twenty years, it may be-"
She clutched his arm and her eyes
looked at him with that same intense i'm
ploring gaze.
Il shall never marry another woman -"
said Frank.
"No-never. Wait for her. She shall
be yours at last.
A thought struck Frank. Did this
strange woman come to him of her own
&C ord. or had Beatrice sent her. He
heart beat violently, care you giving
me a messags from Miss ClausOn?" he
asked.
No, sir. Miss Beatrice is not one to
send messages by servants. She doesn't
know that | have come to you. You
won't tell her, Mr. Carruthers Promise
me you won't tel herl'
Her face grew paler than before as the
possibility o. Carruthers's telling Beatrice
OF this nocturnal interview rose before
her. She seemed so distressed that Frank
has ened to assure her he would not men,
tiOn the matter. Strange as was this
womans manner, something showed him
that she meant him well.
'She would never forgive me IL she
knew" She whispered these words In an
awe struck way, as II such thing was too
fearful to contemplate.
''Tel me why you trouble yourself
about my affairs" asked Frank.
"Why do trouble! Because she is all
in this world and the next to me. Be-
cause | would kill myself to save her from
pain of mind or body. Listen, Mr..
Carruthers Years ago-she was then
but girl of seventeen or eighteen-she
saved me from starvation, from death,
from worse. She fed me, clothed me,
called me back to life, and saw that |
lived. say to you, Mr.. Carruthers, that
| II / stood with one foot acposs the golden
threshold of the heavenly gate, even II
my eyes had caught glimpse of God and
His angels, my ears heard the sound OF
the harps OF the blessed. II below me l
saw the fiery gulf-if knew that with
drawing my foot would bring her happi-
ness, would withdraw IL and be doomed
forever"
This is sheer ldclatry," he said. not
Iunkindly.
'Call 1t villa. you will, sir mean all
say, and more"
II ga nd ho<auaa vou ara al fond of har