Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-08-02

stefan to Miss Clauson, he was no doubt
reluctant to resign II until he had effected
a rad cal cure.
In plain English, Frank had fallen in
love with Beatrice, In that good old-fash-
toned way, almost at first sight He had
gone down before her gray eyes as surely
as had the susceptible Sylvanus. Would
he fare any better?
About this date he often asked himself
the above question; for he had by now
made the curate's acquaintance, and
learned that he was rejected man.
lie did not learn it from Beatrice, who,
like every true woman, shei to hide,
and, If possible, forget the story OF
mans discontinue. lie did not learn 1t
from Horace or Herbert. Although they
we as fond of gossip as men always are,
wild horses would not have rent such
confidence from their kindly hearts. Syl-
vanus himself was Frank informant.
The energetic, bustling curate lad re-
| turned to Oakbury. During his absence
tie Talberts had re uested re trice to de-
eide as to the terms # int macy which
should for the future exist between Hazel
W cd House and Mr. Mordle Beatrice
quietly told her uncles that it was her
particular wish that the Kew. Sylvanus
should be received on exactly the same
footing as heretofore. SO when Sylyanus
returned he was informed that he might
tricycle. himself up to Lakewood Hose
as often as he chose.
SO Mr.. Carruthers and the curate met
frequently. They recOgni ed each other S
good points and were soon on terms of
friendship such as fiction, at least, seldom
allows to exist between rivals. Rivals is
perhaps the wrong word, for If any stray
fragment of hope chung 70 Mr.. Mordle's
portmanteau and so returned with him to
England it was swept away forever and
ever as soon "a the owner saw Frank and
Beatrice together
1t was no doubt the desire to prove in
contestably to himself that he was cured
that made him in q moment of brisk conf
dence tell Frank how he had Jared. The
manner in w 4 h the commun cation was
made showed Frank that his own secret
was no secret from MOrdle. If he did not
meet confidence by confidence he made no
attempt at deception. He looked at Nor
die with curious smile.
"You scarcely expect me to say l am
sorry?" he asked.
mo Want no sympathy. Only want
you TO be sure that when the time comes
to congratulate you | can do so with all
my heart
"Ahr said Frank, smiling. ''Noble,
very noble. When the time comes" he
added softly. Thereupon he fell into a
train of thought train which ran upon
a single line and always took him to one
particular station.
At this juncture the Talbert's gave a
dinner -party-a man S dinner party. The
following were the blessed recipients OF
invitations; Lord Kelston, who was stay
ing for few days at his place, Sir John
Williams of Almondsthorpe, Colonel
White the officer commanding the regi-
mant at the neighbOring barracks, Mr..
Fallon, the polished Royal Academician
who was sojourning at the village, and
making outdoor sketches of autumnal
foliage, and Mr.. Fletcher of the Hollows,
the largest landowner, save Lord Kelston,
in the county, These, with Frank and
the hosts, made a party of eight-the
number which, according to an axiom of
the Talberts, should yer be exceeded.
But two days before it took place an
event happened which threatened it ILL.
Lord Kelston wrote Horace one of those
pleasant familiar letters. which, coming
from lord, are always delightful. lie
said he should take the liberty of bring
ing his friend Mr.. Simmons with him. As
this would raise the number to nine. it
to equaliZe the sides of he table.
Then came consultation high and
earnest. Whom could they ask upon so
short q mott wor ny of forming one of
so distinguished arty? Each of the Tai
berts would have been insulted had lie
been askei by a friend TO stop gap, so
following the golden rule they shrunk
from the task before them. Still they
could not have four on one side of the
table and three on the other.
Frank listened to their solemn delibera-
tions for some time, then tried to help
them out of the difficulty. Leave me
out he said, Beatrice and T'-he
spoke of her sometimes now as Beatrice
twill dine together in the nursery or the
house leeper room. Whitaker can bring
the dishes straight from your table. 1t
will be delightful"
"NIy dear Frank This joint exclama-
ton showed the utter futility of his sug-
gestion.
'Why not ask the rector! | thought it
was the duty of country clergyman to
meet emergencies like this. "
''IIe talks about nothing but his fish
ing, said Horace mourn 'ully.
Fishing for what? For mem"
NO; salmon and trout, answered Hor-
ace, as usual taking the matter prosaic-
ally.
''Why not Mordle? He is capital com
pany."
"IIa-hum,' said Horace, glancing al
Herbert. This is scarcely curate's
party"
mo, scarcely" said Herbert, shaking
his head.
At last they decided to ask Mr.. Turn
er, but the decision was arrived at with
misgivings; for Mr.. Turner was in trade.
He was, however, merchant prince
even merchant emr eror-an as Hor-
ace expressed it, was a member of the
aristOcracy of wealth. They felt that Mr..
Turner might be asked at short notice,
and would not be offended when he heard
1t was to meet Lord Kelston. This is one
of the many advantages of entertaining
lords.
Nevertheless they were conscious-strick-
en- at having asked anyone to stop gap,
so made amends by arranging their guests
so that Mr.. Turner should sit on Herbert's
left hand; Horace's supporters being Lord
Kelston and his friend Mr.. Simmons. The