Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-10-11
CHAPTER XIV.
SOrnFn PAINFU1. TAsK.

Inc dinner mat nlgnt at HaIleWOOu
Hou was a dreary affair. Nothing, or
heXt to nothing, was said about the recent
painful event Frank sat moody and ST.
lent He was working out problems; con-
Meeting Beatrice's flight with the man OF
The afternoon and the visit to the inn.
For Beatrice's sake he was now fighting
Tor his own hand. Horace and Herbert
ne eliminated from the inquiry.
His moodiness affected his hosts, and
upon his refusal to lake more wine they
suggested an ad ournmen to the drawing
room. Frank agreed readily. At any
rate he could sit Their and gaze at Bea-
trees portrait.
10 you mean to take any further
steps," he asked.
IL think not" said Horace. Herbert
and | Ia @ talked the matter over, and
feel there is no more TO be done. We saw
a great many people this ternoOn, and
am sure have left general impression
that Beatrice has gone u visit friends. "
at was most painful duty" said Her
bert, but one We fell must be performed.
In fact, II was due TO ourselves to fore
stall gossip.
Il am sure Frank quite understands
Che situation, said FORAGE. A satirical
smile curled rouni Franks lips. at
must have been most painful" he said;
''yol mug have felt like two Spartan boys
with joint fox under their clothes.
Eyes, )" said Herbert, simply; I'VE did. :"
II have often heard tina smile used,
said Horace, but its great strength never
struck me until now.
Frank could stand it no longer. There
is limit tn penance, namely, human en-
durance. His ner,es, after the events of
the da", were highly strung, and he felt
that IL he watched Horace any longer he
must burst into IT of uncon reliable
laughter. Cant we go and smoke?" he
said.
Certainly" said Herbert. lie accom-
anied Frank TO the dining-rOom, where,
by AMI by, Horace joinei them.
There is ano her painful duty to per-
form said Horace helping hin self to a
eiCaret e. rank could not help thinking
that the unmentioned painful duty was
connected with the table. We feel that
we are bound to let Sir Mangay know
what has happened.
OF course. lie is her father
Yes he must be told. We think it
better to make the communication orally. 3"
Horace was one who never misused the
word verbal. We shall run up to
town to morrow and see him.
Frank had already been framing in his
mind various excuses for q sudden depart
ure. lie felt that fond as he was of Hor-
ace and Herbert their constant society
would at the present juncture drive him
half mad. He jumped at the chance of
escape. Il II go with you, he said.
In London they arted. The Talberts
went to their favorite hotel. and Frank
who wished to be quite free and unfetter-
cd in his researches went to his. The
next day the brothers called on Sir Main
gay Clauson and frank found the way
TO 142 Gray Street the purveying estab-
lishment of Messrs. Rawlings Bros.
He asked for Mrs. Rawlings, and not
knowing whether IL was Mrs. John or
Mrs. Joseph was compelled to describe
her as the one who had been at Blacktown
some few days ago. That was Mrs. John.
Mr.. and Mrs John were away. Would
not be back for at least a week. No one
knew exactly where they were. In their
absence, caused perhaps by another wild
goose chase after a supposed son, Frank
was compelled to defer his researches.
lie went down TO OXFORD and settled
his affairs as best he could. lie arranged
with Mordle's friend Fanshawe brother
coach, to take such pupils as he could
oOuu Hihl. DO uttcilJ uhhb uiu ho icCi w
work that he was glad to think that his
new appointment did not become fact
for six months: so that except for the
book which he had to see through the
press, he would have nothing to occupy
him but the search for Beatrice.
so glad so very glad, to see you, Hor-
ace; so delighted Herbert exclaimed
Sir Maingay. Low well you both look!
never saw you looking better"
They told him they were very well.
You don't seem to grow day older.
No family cares to vex you. Most men
keep young as bachelors. A family means
responsibility as well as pleasure, you
know.
Jus. then O tremendous clatter took
place overhead. II sounded like the beat
ing OF wood on ringing metal. Repairs
/ suppose?" said Horace.
ooh, no. | EXPECT that's my young
rogues at play-sturdy young rascals they
are, added the fond middle-aged parent
as The din increased.
THE nursery seems very near" said
Herbert. Horace looked very disguised.