Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-08-09
A FAMILY AFFAIR.
CHAPTER XIII (CoNr1xuED).
BY HUGH CONWAY.

CHABI Elk Xii CONTINUED.
Mr.. Simmons, with the quickness of his
race, read what was passing IN Horace's
mind. His anger merged into pity for his
courteous, kindly host lie reseated him
sell, and said with pleasant smile, "How
curious such things sound to men Of the
world like us hen he said something
in praise of the La IT,. Horace gave a
sign or relief, and 10 his dying day will
love that gentle Jew.
Taking |. altogether, the Talberts do
not count that dinner among their social
successes
Frank knew that when the party adj
burned TO the drawing he should
see Beatrice Her un les wished her tn
be there; an 1t was not the rule at Halle
wool House for the men guests TO go
8 raigGt from the table to the smoking
room. 30 viii st Horace and Herbert were
seeing that the curiOnsly shaped Venetian
TASKS were going around wit hospitahle,
but not with coarsely convivial speed, Dir.
Carru;hers wa summoning up courage to
desert his post and cheer Miss Clauson
loneliness The thought of that nellness
grew so painful that, taking advantage of
Horace being engaged in deep con ersa-
ton with Lord Kelstnn, he rose slipped
from the room, and passing across the
The drawinG-room doo-, like every other
dor in Lakewood House, did it's duty
without noise. There are some peoples
doors viii h always scrape and bany, just
as there are some PEG le sho, which al
ways creak. The Talbcrts' shoes never
creaked. The Talberts' doors never uttered
sound. So Frank stood on the thick,
soft carpet and looked at Miss Clauson,
who had no Idea that her solitary exile
was ended.
She was seatel on the music bench. Her
hands were on the keys of the plano, but
making no music. She was ga ing with
grave eyes far, far away-looklng right
through the center Of the satinwood Shera-
ton cabinet which, full of choice porcelain,
stood against the opposite wall. Her
thoughts, sad or sweet, were in Dream
land.
And Mr.. Carruthers stood watching her.
He knew he WIS doing wrong-knew no
ought to make her aware Of his presence
but the pic ure was 10 him so divinely
beautiful that he could not help himself.
And as he wat he'd he saw, or fancied
he saw, tears rising to those gray eyes.
This was more than human nature could
bear.
He never knew how he dared to do 1t,
but before she looked round he was at her
side, his arm was round her-a music
bench offers dangerous facilities, 1t has
RI back and he was telling her with pas
sionate elo. uence that he loved her-he
loved her There was none of poor Mr..
Mordles hopelessness about this ardent
young Carruthers.
But how did Beatrice take it? With q
low cry OF fear, perhaps aversion, she
sprung to her feet and stood for a moment
looking at him, with face as pale as
pale rs death. Then without word she
turned and went swiftly toward the door.
Frank with face as pale as her own fol-
lowed and intercepted her. He graspei
her hand.
Beatrice, have you nothing to say to
me? Eothlng?'
She breathed quickly. She seemed to
set her teeth. She answered not word.
beatrice, have you nothing TO tell mes
Can you not tell me you love rnee Answer
me"
There was no trace OF railery or light
uess In Mr.. Carruthers' manner. It was
that OF a man playing for life or death
stake. answer me- Say you love me, "
he repeated.
IL can not said Beatrice hoarsely.
"'Let me CO.
Could Frank Carruthers have followed
Beatrice to her room. he would have seen
her throw herself on her bed, and burst
into paroxysm of grief. He would have
seen the somber Mrs. Miller come to her,
embrace her. soothe her, and entrear her.
He would have seen look OF st:rn resolu-
ton settle on the servants strongly mark
ed features a look which contrasted
strangely with the affectionate solicitude
which she displayed toward her mistress
in her trouble.
But Carruthers could not see these
things, and had he seel them would have
been no wiser for the sight