The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-06-18
A FAMILY AFFAIR.
BY HUGH CONWAY.

ioW ulu you nnu me-! Sne asked In
troubled voice.
"By strange chance. will tell 20
how some day.
TELL me now"
Frank shook his head. "Not now" h
said. Let 1t suffice that [ have foun
YOU
=" But" said Beatrice with agitation
do others know-can others find me
IL you learned 1t, why not another ?"
lie say the dismay of fear aud hastenet
TO reassure her. No one save mysel
can learn 1t In the same way. You
retreat is safe.n
She sighed her relief. There was al
awkward pause. Frank was the first {,
break it.
Beatrice, F" he said, 81 have come .
long way to see you. have much to say
you may have much to say 10 me. Car
we net go to some place where we car
talk
Yes, we can go to my home" Bea.
trice called her boy, and Frank, glad of
anything to break the awkwardness of the
moment, greeted the little fellow and made
iricnds with him to such purpose that he
insisted upon MIR. Carruthers holding hi.
chubby hand and walking with him.
What pity to cut that bright hair I! -
salQ Frank to Beatrice.
ut was more than plty-it was cruel,
but 1t was cruel necessity. " she said sadly.
Heatrlce led the way to the house In
which she lived.
HOW are they all at home?n she asked.
How are my uncles and dear old Hayle-
woodf' Her eyes filed with tears. Her
emotion did not escape Carruthers.
They are all well" he said. II heard
from Herbert few days ago. He sent
me your letter"
"Will they ever forgive me?n said Bea.
'rice. VIII they ever speak to Inc
agaln?'
II hope ST.. said Frank gravely. "They
we're, OF course, much vexed and upset. .
Beatrice glanced at him nervously.
Even he had held out hoee of forgive
ness and he loved her. She wished he
had not come to Munich.
do they know my reason for leaving
England9p she asked tlmidly.
No. They have hazarded many guess
es, but not one has been near the truth. -
She started at his answ The tru h?
Did he know the truth? II so, how had
he learned It?
do you know why left?" sne asked.
A look OF pain settled on Carruthers'
lace. Yes" he said, softly. ',Chance
mas given me your story. But to me-
only to me.
DO you know all-all that have done.
vi that | have suifered"'
lie rose. There was a strange agitation
IN his manner and voice. AM, he ex-
la med. ''Beatrlce Beatrice! how can
.eil you what ! know Beatrice, did |
not Just now hear that child call you
notIer?' '''
Yes, he is my son. she said, calmly.
All, continued Carruthers, excltedlv.
Need | know alp Need be racked by
rearing the one love tell me all? Need
pain her by forcing her to hear me?
iave not heard enough? Why should l
eek to know more?"
Let me tell you my story, Frank. -
he SAID, beseechlngly
MOI lie spoke In that imperious
one which she had once before. in n
lighter degree, noticed. "No. Listen to
ne. Beatrice, believe me- have longed
hnd you. L have sighed for this mo- |
iche III nave surprise your secrets it |
'as not FOR my own ends. Beatrice, when
nance showed me whore you were
nnhe 10 you with but one oblec. |
ms morning even when, at last, | saw |
ou' mad but one thought 1t was to |
ONE to you, to say have sought you be.
ause you are In distress, because Won
ant help. such help as | can give Is
ours Without cues ion, without the
ope OF reward 1t Is yours"
Again she strove to interrupt him. He
iecked her
Listen! | have more. much moro 10
w. nave seen you again." his voice
Hanged to one Il supreme tenderness. ~
ave held your hands. have looked into
'ur face-the same sweet face of NV
Feahs' Beatrice. all Is changed with
e he knelt beside her and took her
mas III once | wished TO know all.
wv ! say, tell me nothing. What is the
'st 10 me- Ill IL away, forget II, scorn
'ur lie begins to-day. | love you
'nu down and tell me you will be my
She forcibly drew her hands from his
Nered her eyes. and sobbed.
'Nou love me, he went on. mass on
sly. Is II for my sake you will not do
Is thing Look at me read In nv eyes
nat my heart deslres-know that II
We the power Of max ng O. marring n
IN S life. Beatrice My love, my only
70, answer me-
FRANK, she said, 'you are killing me
are me and let me speak .
lie waited IN anxious silence until her
IS died away and susta ned speech was
'os ibiiity "''
Frank, ranlSr' she said. .sYou have
m mi led. You ha heard but half
truth. You love me, vet dare IN
NIX That II what you have heard is true
'ould be your wife. | can not blame s
ior believing. | have no right 10
me. My actions have helped that be-
= let IN bel ewing Ii, you, Frank. G
e given me the oharpest pain of ali {
| have known. 4
arruthers bent mis- head and prayed
would forgive him. i
1 have nothing to forgive. From L
pm did you think | fled-frt m what
gerY Frank, | fed from the man who
~ husband-the man who more than /
years ago took advantage of a girls Fl
y, married her and made her life a c
ery." ''e
rose from his knees. His fl
was white as a sheet. He was the In
ure OF DESPAIR. A legion of Mrs. p
ers would not now have caused hone y,
ROW up the tniest sho1t Her hps-
4! The room seemed TO swim round S;
Tell me ALL" he said in a ouiet ia
e. mo, don't fear for me. y o,
glanced at him inquiringly. Tell me- Ia
can bear it, ! can help you. - 81
e told him all.
> heard her to the very end In silence. co
yo