The Taney County republican., 1904-11-03
AFanily Affair
BY HUGH CONWAY.
CHAPTER XIIL-CONTNTjEn

room 80 whilst Horace and Herbert
Wtr' seeing that the curiousy-shaped
Venetian TASKS were going round with
hcspitable. but not with coarsely con.
vivlal speed. Mr. Carruthers was sum.
mnning mp courage to desert his post
and cheer Miss Clauson'g loneliness.
The thought Of that loneliness grew 50
painful that, taking advantage Of Hor.
aces being engaged in deep conyersa-
tion with Lord Kelston, he rose, slip,
ped from the room, and passing across
the hall, opened the drawingroom
door.
The dra|iDg-room door, like every
other door IN ilazelwood House, did its
duty without noise. There are some
peoples doors which always gcrape
and bang, Just as there are some peo.
pies shoes which always creak. The
Talberts' shoes never creaked. The
Talberts' doors never uttered a sound.
So Frank stood on the thick soft car
pet and looked at Miss Clauson, who
had no idea that her solitary exile was
ended.
She was seated on the music.bench.
He hands were on the keys Of the
plano, but making no music. She was
gazing with grave eyes far, far away
looking right through the center OF
the satIn-wOod Sheraton cabinet
which, full OF choice porcelain, stood
against the opposite wall. Her
thoughts, sad or sweet, were In dream
land.
And Mr.. Carruthers stood watching
her. He knew he was doing wrong
knew he ought TO make her aware Of
his presence--but the picture was to
hin SO divinely beautiful that he could
not help himself.
The girl was perfectly dressed; II
fault could be found with her attire II
was that 1t was a trihe too old for her
age. Her arms and neck cleaned
white and fair from the black satin Of
the dress, which fitted as a dress can
oEly fit a fora Ike hers. The rich brown
hair was cunnlngly and becomingly
colled without jewel or even flower to
detract from us own native glory. No
wonder ma Carrutbcrs was content
70 watch bcr in admIring silence!
Aud as he watched he saw, or fan.
cIed he saw tears rising TO those gray
eyes This vas more than human ma.
ture could : ar.
Mr. Carrrthers 10 this day assures
himself tha he entered that drawinR
room with 70 intention Of prcciplta
ing matters We may believe him be.
cause, as II sag probable that in few
minutes nj respectable mi1dle.agcd
gentlemen would troop IN. the occa
sion was no proDitious one. SO II is
clear that be- acted on the impulse Of
tho moment.
He never knew how he dared to do
II, but before she looked round he was
at her side, his arm was round her--a
music.bench offers dangerous fac!
files, II has no back--and he was tell
Ing her will passionate eloquence that
he loyed hcr--he loved her! There
was none q. poor Mr. Mordle's hope.
lessness about this ardent young Car.
ruthers.
But how did Beatrice take II? With
a low cry Of fear. perhaps aversion.
she sprang to her feet and stood for .
moment looking at him with face a
pale as death. Then without wori
she turned and went swiftly toward |
the door. Frank with a face as pail |
as her own followed aud intercepted |
her He gra8ped her hand.
Beatrice have you nothing TO say |
TO me? Nothing?
She brcathed quickly. She seemed
10 set her teeth. She answered not a
word.
Beatrice. have You nothing 10 tell |
me? Cannob you tell me you love me?
Answer me"
There was no trace Of raillery or
lightness In Mr.. Carruthers' manner.
r. was that Of man playing for life
o. death stake.
Answer me. Say you love me-" he
repeated.
"I cannot" gald Beatrice hoarsely.
let me 60"
without a word he dropped her
hand. He even held the door open and
clcsed IL when she had passed Then