Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-10-11
A FAMILY AFFAIR.
BY HUGH CONWAY.
CHAPTER XIII (CoSrIxUnp).

CHAPTER XIII CONTINUED.
Every word you spoke was the exact
truth, " said Herbert, cOnsoingy.
But they were horribly upset; so upset
that they forgot all about Franks i'm
pending visit, or forgot about 1t until the
next morning. when they found it was
too late to telegraph.
Frank came down as he had forewarn-
ed his friends, by the morning train. He
was rather surprised at not seeing his two
eall cousins on the platform, or any signs
Of the wagonette outside the station. He
secu ed hadsom, and drove straight to
Hardwood House.
Whitaker opened the door. ',All well,
Whitaker" asked Carruthers cheerily.
He did not hear the servants reply, for
at that moment Horace and Herbert APP
peared and they shook hands heartily.
They took him into the dining room, and
once more the three men shook hands.
well, how are you both" asked
Frank They told him they we're quite
we'll, but, all the same, Frank knew by
their solemn faces that something had
gone wrong. lie wondered what the
cook had been up to.
And Miss Clauson? Beatrice?" he
continued with an assumption of care
lessness, but longing for the door to open
and admit her. The Talberts exchanged
sad glances.
''Beatr ce, " said Horace, 'is not here. -
''NOt here, he said. Gone out you
mean. My greetings must wait "
Beatrice went to London yesterday,
said GRACE. Frank seemed much as
tonished.
$40 London. She left London only
few days ago. Is she gone back to her
fathers An ominOus silence followed
his question. What Is the matter Is
anything wrong?" he asked in great
agitation.
my d ar Frank, said Horace, ''some
thing strange has happened, but it is so
strictly family affair that we are con-
sidering Whether we ought to mention it
to yoa. Not but what your advice might
be of service to us.
Frank grew seriously alarmed. But
] am one of the family" lie said hastily.
The Talberts shook their heads doubtfully.
They were not sure about it. The family
cOnsiste of two, or, counting in Beatrice
three at the outsi c.
al have another right to know,
stronger right still, - said Carruthers, who
was on horns of suspense. There is no
reason why | should make q secret of it.
have 10, ed Beatrice since the day we
met My one hope is 10 make her my
wife. l claim the right TO know any
thing that concerns her,
GOOD heavens, Frank! calculated
Horace
ayes, l asked her TO marry me before
left her. last autumn. She refused: l
was now going o repeat my offer. :"
''She refused yOu!'' asked Horace.
~ os, - said rank, sadly. "But what
Is the matter? For Heaven s sake tell me. -
~ > soil haI
gives us the cew to the my stery." Her
bert nodded.
''What clew? What mystery? My good
fellows, don't you see you are driving me
mad F." said Carruthers.
Beatrice left us yesterday. This
morning we received this letter. The let
ter was handed to Frank. Like his
cousins, he could only calculate, what
does il mean?'
Horace and Herbert came forward.
Her ert srOke. AS the romantic side of
the question aga turned up, it was felt
right or him 10 be spokesman. Frank,
he said. I'VE do no. wish to mis- Judge,
but the ct of Beatrice's having refused
you, and of your coming down to renew
the oder, makes us think that she must
have fled TO avoid you. We know little
about such matters ourselves, but we
have heard of youGg girls flying to get
out of the way of distasteful-ah
what shall shall i say?-'
"Persecution, put in Horace.
"No, the word is too strong -distaste-
full advances, Frank. This is, of course,
a ma ter entirely between yourself and
your conscience.
AS the Grafton proceeded Frank stared
from one TO the other. Then he burst
into a short peal of laughter In spite Of
his ankle about Beatrice, the situation
oyerpowered him.
There is nothing to laugh at, Frank, T"
said Horace.
here Is madness, sheer madness In
the air, my good men" said Carruthers.
''Do look like man who would ub.ect
awoman to distasteful persecution? Hang
it! | am prouder than you are. had
Beatrice S permission to come. Perhaps
you may know that it was arranged that
we should travel down together
''YOu must excuse our no. having sent
TO meet you, said Horace.
THE trlth is the roads are dirty and
we could not have the wagonette cleaned
in time to take US out"
Where are you going; for driver
'sNe are going to make round OF
calls.
at is. a painful, most painful duty, !"
said Horace, "but we feel that 1t must be
done We must go round and indirectly
give our friends to understand that Bea-
tr.ce has left US under everyday circum-
stances, 10 pay a long-promised visit In