The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-06-04
lion, the more apparent It became that to

use his own words, he was in cleft
stick. So long as Beatrice could conceal
her whereabouts from him, so long was
he utterly helpless. He could, of course,
| compass certain amount OF revenge, but
the cost would be too terrific. However
sweet thing may be, it may be bought
too dearly. He could walk boldly up to
cir Maingay Clauson and proclaim him
self his son-in law. He could 60 to these
Tablerts and show them that he had mar
ried their niece when she was little more
than schoolgirl. But what good could
this do? His bolt would be shot, and his
culver held no other. 1t might bring
down Beatrice. but not her money. He
would have to deal with men Of the world
Instead of woman over whom he held
the terror of exposure. He had one arti-
Gle to sell, silence. There was one Gus
toner for 1t. his wife
What If he gave out that he was dead
and waited until she had married again?
Then his sway would be supreme. But
to gain this advantage he must lie SILENT
lt might be for years, and in the mean
time must somehow make a living. Per-
haps. after her former experience, she
would not marry again. Any way the
state OF his exche Iuer put veto on the
waiting scheme
on the necessity of finding her became
more and more obvious. He had, after
the manner of gambler who feels that
any hour may bring the great stroke of
luck, lived luxuriously. His money had
by now SO diminished that he saw he
must shortly do one of three things, find
Beatrice, earn money, or starve.
The first the most desirable in every
way, seemed IMPOSSIBLE He had made
both In person and vicarlously, such in
quiries at Sir Maingay's house as could be
made without exciting comment and sus-
picion. He had even been down once
more to Oakbury. seen the Talberts. but
had learned nothing to his advantage.
SO course number one could not be counted
upon to meet the emergency.
Course number three, if the simplest,
was the most unpleasant. so he was con-
strained to adopt number two. at least
Professionally.
Before his disgrace Hervey had occa-
slonally done some work for illustrated
periodicals. AS this branch of his late
profession seemed to o1er him the best
chance of suppl ing his needs, he called
upon two or three people whom he had
known in former days and who, moreover,
knew what had caused his protracted alb
sence. lie simply said he was anxious to
redeem the past and begged for a helping
hand. Hervey received one or two prom
ises which might or might not lead to re-
muneratiye work.
The months passed very dismally and
drearily Tor the second seeker, Frank
Carruthers. He knew not where to turn,
where to seek for Beatrice. However. he
was better off than Hervey, for he lad d.
rect intelligence from her. Once month
she had written to her uncles, but her let
lers gave no clue that could be followed.
they bore no address; they were posted
in London; they mentioned no places,
not even country. She sail she was liv-
Ing an exceedingly quiet, calm life. She
longed to see dear old Oakbury again, and
wondered II it would ever be her lot to do
so. In each letter she regretted the ne
cessity for the step she had taken, and
hoped that IL ever her unc es knew her
true reason for it they would forgive her.
She trusted, nevertheless, thai they would
never learn it. The only hints of locality
In any one of her letters were that She
mentioned that the weather was bitterly.
cold, and also that she spent much time
studying art; was, indeed, learning to
paint In oils.
These letters. Herbert. who felt sym
pathy for his cousin, sent to Frank, and
Frank perused them again and again, en-,
deavoring by the light he had gained to
read between the lines. And the more he
read the more my stified he became. ,
He searched her letters in vain for his
own name, for any message to him. Tho
omission troubled him, not because he
thought himself forgotten, but because it
showed him that Beatrice felt there was a
fate, which nothing could overcome, keep
ing them apart. so her letters gave him
no hope.
Had he been an idle man Frank Car
ruthers could never have borne those three
months of suspense. But he was hard,
very hard at work OH second book
About that first book, satirical, semi
political novel which, by the by, made a
great hit Mr.. Carruthers, like all new
writer's, was as nervous and fidgety as a
Dung husband whose beloved wife is for
the first time about TO increase the popu-
lation. One day it struck him that the
great work would be more taking If
adorned with Illus ratlons. He mentioned
his idea to the publishers. who quito
agreed with him, only adding that six
full-page Illustrations would cost so many
pounds, an expense which they did not
feel justified in mourning. But If Mr..
Carruthers liked to bear the cost, well and
good. Frank, who had money to spare.
said he would see for how much lie could
get them done.
He called upon a friend, a Mr.. Field,
who knew all about such matters, and
enquired where he could find hands COM
petent yet not too costly. And this friend
happened to be one Of those from whom
Hervey had begged helping hand. So it
will be seen that the hereinafter mention
ell meeting between Carruthers and Her.
vey was, like all sO-called chance meet-
,ings, when traced back to its cause, quite
natural sequence. Indeed, it is hard to
Fsee how things could have happened other
wise.
There, a fellow called on me a day or
two ago." said Mr.. Field, "a fellow who's
down on his luck now. He might suit
you.
''Can you recommend him? What is his
name?''
f, II don't know that l can recommend
him. but you may give him trial He
calls himself Henry Norris. He's down
on his luck, as l said.''
Write him line and ask him to call
on me,' sad Carruthers, who liked to
heip men down on their luck. 'Is he
c.ever?"
Hes been idle SO long 1 can't saw.
Look here, Carruthers, make him do the
drawing on approval; and if were you
wouldn't give any money on account"
send him to me and I'll talk to him. -
Carruthers was just leaving the room
when his friend called him back
II say, Carruthers, I'd better tell you,
then you can't say | didn't. This chap
mas been in quod five years for forgery.
His names Maurice Hervey. | suppose
he's out on ticket of-leavo. He tells me
he means 10 run straight for the future.