The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-04-16
CHATTER XIV.

AZ INC MeSSrS Horace ana flcfD frt lalDerl
Gentlemen We have this morning
been consulted by Mr.. Rawlings with ref
erence 10 YOUR refusal to restore to him
his child, John Rawlings, whom he lost
alb ut two wears ago in mysterious man
ner, an whom lie has ecenty discovered
to be living in your house.
1.-The cir, umstances as explained to us
by our client lend to show that the child
was left b. me person unknown in a
ia lway carriage; and that it eventually
arrived at your house, where, we under
stand, it has since remained
"Mr. Rawlin wi call at your house
on next Saturday afternoon at three
O'Clock, with carriage, and we trust you
VIII without further opposition, allow
child to depart with him.
In ase you still refuse to give up the
chill ), Mr.. Rawlings has in tructed us 10
lake immediate legal action to obtain pos
sessi n OF his son and we are Informed
that proper legal proof as TO the identity
OF the boy will be hereafter adduced.
We are. gentlemen,
Your obedient ser ants,
'BLAcKETT Il WIGGENs."
But Beatrice was by far the most agi-
tatcd of the Fart Ter check grew white;
the hand which she mechanically held out
for the letter trembled. Herbert gave her
the isto airy bomb-shell, and whilst she
read 1t the two brothers gazed at each
other in that sa ~ calm and gravely re-
Elective way at Tires ma ural to men whose
minds are made up that a peculiar path f
duty must at all cost be trod en- 10 the
end. When such gaze passes from man
to man it strengthens the feet of each to
tread the stony cour e.
Beatrice read the letter twice. Without
word she returned it to Herbert then
she walked acros; the room 10 the re-
place and stood for some minutes tap
ping her foot upon the fender. Her
back being turned TO the Talberis
they could not see the su rene emo
ton by her contracted brow and in
every line of her set white face. Had they
S en- it they woul have been more than
surprised they would have been shocked.
I ong emotion was thing to be shown
by well-bred persons only under the most
intense provocation. In this case it was
uncalled FIR.
Presently the girl turned to them ''You
have quite made up your minds to yield to
these people threat " she asked. There
was curious, strange sound in her voice.
1--WE can do nothing ese," answered
Horace. Herbert nodded sad assent to
his brothers view of the case.
Nothing else" echoed Beatrice with
touch OF scorn In her voice. what right
can these people have to the boy ltis lot
theirs. Tn le Horace, Uncle Herbert, OF
can remember no he was sent here. How
beautifully dressed he was-how thorough
ly cared TO-. Can you. can anyone for a
moment imagine him as belonging to such
persons What are they Pork butchers
you sail"
''Pur,eyors, interrupted Horace, who
10 ed to LIE precise.
How is 1t possible he can be their
child!N urged Eeatrce.
PEOPLE in any station o. life may have
children, my dear, said Herbert uttering
the trui m like newly-found pro erb of
Solomon.
And, - al Horace, speaking more to
the point, " he broad fact remains that
they cain the child aid are prepared to
make that claim good before the magis-
trates.
Before the mag srates, my dear Bea
tr'ce, " e lo Herbert, dutifull, accepting
h S broth S version of the law.
"Tell EN- 10 do so tell them to prove
their right, sal Beatrice.
The br, theirs held up their long shapely
bands n horror. My dear Beatri. Q,
said Horace W tn the soemnty of a
bishop rebuking n curate for heavens
sake be reasonable. How can we pc ,sibly
appear before e bench an contest this
claim Fancy the talk g. the ridicule. You
must see the utter absurdity Of your sug-
ges,ion the utter i'm. ossib lily of our
compliance.
ayes, Beatrice, am sure you mu see
Ii, " So d Herb IT.
But Miss Clauson still continued I'M
reasonable. She even returned to the
attack, 81 do not see It at all" she said.
'lf this man lai claim to one of your
fields yo would not give it up
IA field docs not arrive unexpectedly
In the middle Of the nj Iht, " said Horace
not humorCusly, bu. as one who states
n simple fact.
Take better smile, my DEAR" said
Herbert. suppose you picked up SOW
eregn on the treet and man came up
and swore 1t was his. Although you
IN ght have Q esy reason to doubt his as
sertion, Oh wo Ill, am sure, give it up
In order TO avoid tnseemly dispute.'
don think should, said Beatrice
desantly.
'th, yes my dear you woul :, /" said
Horace grayely.
II am sure of il, added Herbert.
beatr &c Id not pursue Herberts in.
genious a gument further Nothing
no entreatv Of mine will make you change
Your minds" she asked + e brothers
shook their heads sad y. 1t was painful
TO them to re use her reuu st, but their
grave eyes L oked into the distance and
saw all the hor ors which they imagined
a contest with Mr. Rawlins wo Id arouse.
Beatrice knew that an further appeal
would lie waste of breath. Il must c O
and think, she said YEARLY, as she
turned away from the arbiters of the BOYS
fate.
al may say, said Horace with slight
blush on his check, that we both regret
the ne ress.ty q this surrender. As a
rule we are not fond OF children, but your
little friend has been very good, and hal
1t been po slble we would willingly have
given him house room until his future
was assured.
Beatrice took his hand and pressed It,
THANK you, s said gratefully. Then
she passed through the door which Her
bert held open, az ct of politeness which
not even the Re ationship of rncle and
niece or the proverbial ontempt brel by
familiarity allowed the Talberts to forget
The brothers resumed their seats, and
for while silence relgned. The truth is
they felt angry and annoyed, perhars
even self-reproa HUI Impossible as it
was that MIR. Rawling 5 claims could be
contested, both Horace ~ d Herbert felt