Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-04-15

OHlIllle
Informed that Mr.. Hardyman was at the
stables, Lady Lydiard gave the servant her
card. 'Take that to your master. and say
won't detain him five minutes" With thes-
words her ladyship sauntered into the
grounds She looked about her with observ-
ant ewes. not only noticing the tent which
had been set up on the grass to accommodate
the expected guests, but entering it and look.
inc at the walters who were engaged in
placing the luncheon on the table. Return
ING to the outer world she next remarked
that Mr.. Hardyman's lawn was in very bad
order Barren sun-dried patches, and little
holes and crevices opened here and there by
the action of the summer heat, announced
that the lawn, like everything else at the
farm. had been neglected in the exclusive at
tention paid to the claims of the horses
Reaching a shrubbery which bounded one
side of the grounds next her ladyship became
aware of a man slowly approaching her, to
all appearance absorbed in thought. The
man drew little Nearer. She lifted her
glasses to her eyes and recognized-Moody.
No embarrassment was produced on either
side by this unexpected meeting Lady
Lydiard had, not long since, sent to ask her
former steward to visit her, regretting i'll
II
they had separated aud wishing to atone for
the harsh language that had escaped her at
their parting interview In the friendly
talk which followed the reconciliation Lady
Lydiard not only heard the news of Moody's
pecuniary Inheritance, but, noticing the
change in his appearance for the worse, con-
trived to extract from him the confession OF
his ill-starred passion for Isabel TO discover
l.. ho1 al -a1f
walking about the grounds at Hardyman's
farm, took her ladyship completely by sur
prise. Good heavens" she exclaimed in
her loudest tones what are you doing here!
"You mentioned Mr. Hardymans garden
party, my lady, when l had the honor OF
waiting ON you" Moody answered. Think
ing over it afterwards, it seemed the fitteSt
occasion | could find for making little
wedding present to Miss Isabel. Is there any
harm in my asking Mr.. Hardyman to let me
put the present on her plate, so that she may
see it when she sits down to luncheon! If
your ladyship thinks so | will go away
directly, and send the gift by post"
Lady Lydiard looked at him attentvely
''You don't despise the girl" she asked, "for
selling herself for rank and money! | do, |
can tell you"
MOOuy 5 WOlD Nnlue Lice hustled IL HluIe.
.'No my LADY, he answered II can't hear
you say that Isabel would not have engaged
herself to Mr. Hardyman unless she had been
fond of him-as fond, dare say, as [ once
hoped she might be of me. It's hard thing
to confess that; but | DO confess it, IN justice
to her-God bless herr
The generosity that spoke in those simple
words touched the finest sympathies in Lady
Lydiard's nature. Give me your hand y she
said, with her own generous spirit kindling
in her eyes. You have great heart,
Moody Isabel Miller is a fool for not
marrying you-and one day she will know it "
Before a word more could pass between
them, Hardyman's voice was audible on the
other side of the shrubbery, calling irritably
to his servant to find Lady Lydiard.
Moody retired to the farther end of the
walk, while Lady Lydiard advanced in the
opposite direction so as to meet Hardyman
at the entrance to the shrubbery He bowed
stiffiy, and begged to know why her ladyship
had honored him with visit.
Lady Lydiard replied, without noticing
the GOODNESS of her receptions:
Il have not been very well, Mr. Hardy
man, or you would have seen me before this.
Ny only object in presenting myself here is
to make my excuses personally for having
written of you in terms which expressed
doubt Of your honor. have done you ar
injustice, and / beg you to forgive me-"
Hardyman acknowledged this frank
apology as unreservedly as it had bee1
offered to him. Say no more, Lady
Lydiard. And let me hore, now you are
here, that you will honor my little party
with your presence
Lady Lydiard gravely stated her reasons
for not accepting the invitation.
81 disapprove so strongly of unequal mar.
riages.n sue said, walking on slowly toward
the cottage, ''that l cannot, in common con-
become one of your guests. l shall
always feel interested in Isabel Miller's well
fare; and l can honestly say | shall be glad if
your married life proves that my old
prejudices are without justitica-
ton in your case. Accept my thanks for
your invitation, and let me hope that my
plain speaking has not offended YOU"
She bowed and looked about her for Tom
mie before she advanced to the carriage
waiting for her at the gate. In the surprise
OF seeing Moody she had forgotten to look
back for the dog when she entered the
shrubberv. She now called tohim and blew
the whistle at her watch chain. Not sign
of Tommie was to be seen. Hardyman in
stantly directed the servants to search in the
cottage and out of the cottage for the dog
The order was obeyed with all needful ac-
tivity and intelligence, and entirely without
success. For the time being, at any rate,
Tommie was lost.
Hardyman promised to have the dog looked
for in every part of the farm, and to send
him back in the care of one of his own men.
With these polite assurances Lady Lydlard
was obliged to be satisfied. She drove away
in a very despondent frame of mind. First
Isabel and now Tommie, thought her lady
ship. II am losing the only companions who
made life tolerable TO me.n
Returning from the garden gate, after tax
ing leave of his visitor, Hardyman received
from his servant handful of letters which
had just arrived for him. Walking slowly
over the lawn as he opened them, he found
nothing but excuses for the absence of guests
who had already accepted his invitations.
He had just thrust the letters into his pocket
when he heard footsteps behind him, and,
docking round found himself confronted by
Moody.
"Halloo! have you come here TO lunchs
Hardyman asked. roughly.
Il have come here sir, with little gilt
for Miss Isabel, in honor of her marriage"
Moody answered, quietly. And ask your
permission to put it on the table, so that she
may see it when your guests sit down to
luncheon"
He opened a jewelers. case as he spoke, con-
tanning plain gold bracelet with an inscrlp-
tion engraved on the inner side: TO Miss
Isabel Miller. with the sincere good wishes
of Robert Moody"
Plain as it was, the design of the bracelet
was unusually beautiful. Hardyman had
noticed Moody's agitation on the day when
he had met Isabel near her aunt's house, and
had drawn his own conclusions from 1t. His
face darkened with a momentary Jealousy
as he looked at the bracelet AU rIght. old