The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-05-28
CHAPTER XIV.
ANOTHER PAINFUL TASK.

Ia
The dinner that night at Lakewood |
House was a dreary affair. Nothing, or
next to nothing, was said about the recent |
painful event Frank sat moody and ST.
lent He was working out problems; con-
Meeting Beatrice's flight with the man OF
the afternoon and the visit to the inn.
For Beatrices sake he was now fighting
for his own hand. Horace and Herbert
he eliminated from the inquiry.
His moodiness affected his hosts, and
upon his refusal to take more wine they
suggested an adjournment to the drawing
room. Frank agreed readily. At any
rate he could sit there and gaze at Bea-
trees portrait.
DO you mean to take any further
steps?" he asked.
81 think not" said Horace. Herbert
and | ha, Q talked the matter over, and
feel there is no more to be done. We saw
great many people this ternoon, and
am sure have left a general impression
| that Beatrice has gone to visit friends. "
st was most painful duty" said Her
bert, "but one we felt must be per ormed.
In fact, 1t was due to ourselves to fore
stall gossip
Il am sure Frank quite understands
the situation" said Horace. A satlrlcal
smile curled round Franks lips. ut
must have been most painful" he said;
''you must have felt like two Spartan boys
with joint fox under their clothes.
'Yesr said Herbert, simply; 1--WE did,"
~ have often heard tina smile used"
said Horace, but its great strength never
struck me until now.'
Frank could stand it no longer. There
is limit to penance, namely, human en-
durance. His nerves, after the events of
the dac, were highly strung and he felt
that If he watched Horace any longer he
must burst into TT of uncon reliable
laughter. Cant we 90 and smoke"' he
said.
Certainly" said Herbert. He accom-
by and by, Horace joined them.
There is ano her painful duty to per-
form " said Horace helping hin self to a
cigaret c. rank could not help thinking
that the unmentioned painful duty was
connected with the table. We feel that
we are bound to let Sir Maingay know
what has happened.
"Of course. He is her father"
Eyes he must be told. We think 1t
better to make the communication orally.
Horace was one who never msused the
word verbal. I'VE shall run up to
town tomorrow and see him.. "
Frank had already been framing in his
mind various excuses for sudden depart
ure. He felt that fond as he was of Hor-
ace and Herbert their constant society
would at the present juncture drive him
half mad. He jumped at the chance of
escape. Il II go with you, ~ he said.
In London they rarted. The Talberts
went to their favorite hotel, and Frank
who wished to be quite free and unfetter
ed in his researches went to his The
next day the brothers called on Sir Main
: gay Clauson. and Frank found the wa.
to 142 Gray Street, the purveying estab
l lishment of Messrs. Rawlings Bros
He asked for Mrs. Rawlings, and no
l.. knowing whether 1t was Mrs. John o
t Mrs. Joseph was compelled to describe
her as the one who had been at BlacktowI
y some few days ago. That was Mrs. John
e Mr.. and Mrs John were away. Woul
5 not be back for at least week. No on
l knew exactly where they were In thei
absence, caused perhaps by another wild
S goose chase after a supposed son, Fran
It was compelled to defer his researches.
e lie went down 10 oxford and SETTLED
his affairs as best he could. lie arrange,
s with Mordle's friend Fanshawe brothe
coach to take such pupils as he coult
:. send him. SO utterly unfit did he feel 70
It new appointment did not become FAC
k for six months: so that except for tn
1t book which he had to see through thu
|. press, he would have nothing t. occup.
II him but the search for peatrice.
W $50 glad so very glad to see you. Hor
ace; so delighted Berbert - exclaime
d Sir Maingay. ''How well you both lCOl
n never saw you looking better.
They told him they were very well.
10 You don seem to grow day olde
1t No family cares to vex you. Most me
l. keep young as bachelors A family mean
responsibility as well as pleasure, yo
l know"
IT Jus. then n tremendous clatter too
place overhead. 1t sounded like the bea
a, ing of wood on ringing metal. Repair
I'd / suppose?" said Horace.
r ''Oh, no. | exl ect that's my youn
1t rogues at play-sturdy young rascals the
IN are" added the fond middle-aged parer
as The din increased.
is 1.-THE nursery seems very near" sal
Herbert. Horace looked very disguste
ne 1T isn't the nursery, said the barone
Il expect they re in the bath room, jul
g. overhead. They get in there sometime
To and beat my sponge bath with their min
pins. We all liked that sort Of thr
n, when we were Toys you know"
II Horace and Herbert were silent. TIL,
IL knew little about the ways of childre
CHI but felt it a cruel libel ON themselves
suggest that they had in their most u
ly thinking years ever been guilty of sue
ne conduct.
an '.l'll ring and stop the rogues," sa
h Sir Maingay. III have them broug
ne down here You d like to see my boy
ok wouldn't you, Horace? You would, He
NJ hertz"
ct An affirmative trembled on Herbert
ito kind lips but Horace sternly interpose
I'D mo; not just yet Maingay; we have cor
re- tosee you about an important matter. b
we can wait tll-till the boys have done
he Fortunately at that moment some OF
- less indulgent than the father must ha'
r. captured the lit lie boys and led the
tic away. Serious conversation was on
ne more possibility.
IT. fro BE CONTINUED
a.