The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-04-02
A FAMILY AFFAIR.
CHAPTER XIV CcoSrlSunp).
ny HUGH CONWAY.


He ran to the door an threw IL open.
On the threshold stood, not Beatric.. but
terrible disappointment the black
What in the world could this somber H.
hour of the IL ght'
'You-Nlrs. Mil err he exclaime as
anything the matter'
''May | come in, SIR" she asked
Certainly, what can ] do for you?"
Mrs. Miller drew near to him. May
speak few words to you, Mr. Carruth-
ers?" She asked the favor respectfully,
but as one who fully expected 1t would be
granted.
''Speak away said Frank, good-na
tiIredly. 'But Is there anything wrong
In the house?"
Nothing more than you know of, sir I"
Her words bore meaning which did
not cape Carruthers. They told
him that Mrs. Miller was gu te
aw.re of wha had taken place be-
tween him and Beatrice. He w'nced
mentally. The thought of his rejection
becoming the gossip of the servants hall
was not pleasant
'Well me hear what you have to
say" He spoke with more asperity than
Il ual
"hIr. Carruthers she said, tell me
how mitch you love Miss Beatricc9n
The sudden ,uestion sta igered as well
as annoyed Flank He frJwned. al am
not in the habit of making condolences to
to strangers. He was going to saw
'inferiors,' but 1t was word he hated
using.
'Uh 81 mt misun lerstand me.
lie me- the woman spoke with start
ling earnestness-"t me; set my mind
at rest. Let me know that YOU love her
with all your heart and soul-that the
very ground her foot presses is h ly to
you could cherish her, care. for
her be true to er until death Tell me
this and make mo happy. Surely you
are not ashamed Of loving herr
Her manner was so impressive that
Carruthers for the moment forgot IL was
but servant who address ed him. no"
he said, speaking slowly, and with eyes
fixed ON the opposite wall. mo, | am
not ashamed of loving Ter. What CON
cern 1t Is of yours | can not devine: but [
love your MISTRESS as much as a man can
love a woman.
Mrs. Miller bent down and kissed his
hand. She murmured a few words which
he could not catch. Most men. not being
kings or priu oh ect to having their
hands kissed. Frank did. Have YOU
anything more to say he asked.
only this, sir on will wat, will you
not9'
''Wa!t. For what?'
''For her-f Mi $ Beat ice. OH Mr..
Carruthers, you won't go in fit of anger.
and 81 yourself away to the first doll
faced woman who smiles on YOU You
will wait for the won vol loye-fiye
ten. twenty years, 1t may be-
She clrtched his arm and her ewes
looked at him with that same intense i'm
ploring ga @.
| shall never marry another woman. -
said Frank.
''No-never. Wait for her. She shall
be yours at last. -
A thought struck Frank. Did this
strange woman come to him of her own
&C ord, or had Beatri sent her! He
heart beat violently, ''Are you giving
me message from Miss Clauson9u he
asked.
mo, sir. Miss Beatrice ia not one IN
send messages by servants. She doesn u
know that | have come to you. You
won't tell her, Mr. Carruthers, Promise
me you won't te hertz
Her face grew paler than before as the
possibility o Carruthers s telling Beatrice
OF this nocturnal interview rose before
her. sShe seemed so distressed that Frank
has ened to assure her he would not men
ton the matter. Strange as was this
woman manner, something showed him
that she meant him we'll
'She would never forgive me If she
Knew Sh whispered these words in an
awe truck way, as IL such thing was too
fearful to contemplate.
'Tell me why you trouble yourself
about my atiairs9' asked Frank.
why do ! troubled Because she Is all
In this world and tie next to me. BE-
cause | wolld kill myself to save her from
a pan of mind or body Listen. Mr..
Carruthers. Years ago she was then
but girl of seventeen or eighteen-she
sayel me from sta walton, from death.
from worse. She fed me, clothed me-
allied me back to lie, and saw that /
lived. say to you, Mr.. Carruthers. that
II Stood with one foot across the golden
threshold OF the heavenly gate, even IL
.s.J - h"N Va Sht plllnpSe OF TOD and
Ills angels, my ears heard the sound of
The harps of the blessed. IL below me
saw the fiery gulf-if knew that with
drawing my foot would bring her happi-
ness | would withdraw II and be doomed
forever
This is sheer idolatry," he said, not
lnkindly.
"Call it what you will, sir. Imean all
say and more
And because you are so fond of her,
you wish to see her future in my hands
ceiling sure It W II lie happy one?"
Yes sir | have watched yol day by
iay' and have seen that you love her. |
nave asked about you, and heard Won
'poken of with the tongue of good report
8es DIES -
NV ell, tesldes what" he said seeing
The hesllated.
You are both of the elect, she said In
solemn accents. The seal is
N your foreheads. -
what do you meanlr asked Frank In
'ewilderment.
She clasped her thin hands together;
ier eye hone it'll strang brill ancy.
Mean she exclaimed, so loudly that
rank glanced at the door to make sure
not 1t was closed. Mean Can Il be