Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-06-14
4 FAMILY AFFAIR.
EY HUGH CONWAY.
CHAPTER V.

Mr.. MORDI.E MAKES A RASH PR MISE.
The next morning the Talbcrts did
an unusual thing; they broke one of
the rules by opening their letters be
lore breakfast. They had a time and
place for everything, and their time
for reading their correspondence was
with their second cups of tea. But so
anxious were they to see if their letters
contained anything explanatory of last
nights occurren .e that the seals were
bro en- at once. They found couple
of invitations to dinner. receipts for
payments made two posts ago, the
usual amount Of circulars, tradesmen's
lists and appeals for charity; but not a
word about the child.
Presently Miss Clausou made her ap-
pcarau W tn the child on her arm.
She had washed him and dressed him,
combed his hair into Il wavy mass Of
FURNISHED gold, and SO brought him to
the breakfast table fresh and sweet as a
rose in June. She placed him on a
chair beside her, by the aid of sundry
cushions ra' sing him up TO a proper
level. Having adjusted him to her sat
iSfaction she ordered bread and milk to
be prepared.
Feing anxious to see him by daylight
the Talberts screwed their eyeglasses in
place. and once more infinitely inspected
their sturdy little visitor. Even Uncle
Horace nodded approval of his bonny
looks and fearless bearing, while Her
bert joined eatrlce in petting him.
Beatrice having ascertained that no
news had arrived, said nothing that bore
upon her startling suggestion of last
night. crhaps she saw that the bright
saucy child interested and amused her
uncles: SO, with the diplomatic gifts
peculiar to her sex, judged it better to
led the matter rest for while. AS soon
as break asst was over, she led the child
away, and spent the remainder of the
day playing with and petting him to
her hearts content. 1t really seemed
as if Miss Clauson had found ne in
terest in life.
This morning she threw books, music
painting, every thing aside, and played
with her new toy. IL was Saturday.
The "Tabbies," who invariably went
shopping together, were bound to Black
town to buy groceries Before starting,
Herbert found his way to reatrice and
asked her if she had any commissions
ed her with flushed face and rum oled
hair, romping with the child. He
watched them with amusement; then,
going upstairs, found after q search in
one OF the attics some Anticipated, bat
tered toys, which tive and thirty years
ago had been dear to Horace and him
self He carried them downstairs. and
eatricc thanked him for the indy
thought and act.
When. in few hours time, the broth
ers drove back with wagonette full of
tea, corec, sugar, yellow soap. house
flannel bath stone, emery paper, or
whatever else was needful to make the
wheels of household management run
smoothly. they found Beatrice still en-
crossed by her charge. They did not
say much TO her. aturday was too
busy day TO think of anything save
the affairs of the house, and as many
precious minutes had been wasted max
ing inquiries at Blacktown station the
brothers were hardly pressed for time
so hardly pressed that when, about
four O'Clock. the curate called. they sent
their apologies by Whitaker, and left
their visitor to be entertained by Miss
Clauson.
This afternoon Mr.. Mordle felt the
Talberts' excuses no slight to himself.
lie begged the brothers might not be
disturbed. He was quite content that
Miss Clauson should entertain him
tete-a-tete as long as possible He in
quired il any news had arrived about
the m ssing mother; then. turning his
attention TO the child, went through a
variety of those little actions which
grown.up people, rightly or wrongly,
suppose ingratiate children. Noticing
how the pretty boy chung to Beatrice he
compl mented her on her rapid conquest
of his affect ons. compliment in which
Miss Clauson might have found deep