The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-04-15
MY LADY'S MONEY
BY wILKIE COLLINS,
CHATTER Xxx


Tho day OF the garden party arrived
There was no rain, but tho air was heavy,
and the sky was overcast by lowering elondA
Bono hours before the guests were expected
Isabel arrived alone at the farm bearing u'e
apologies OF unfortunate Miss Pink, still
kept prisoner Ia her bedehambor by the
asthma In the confusion produced nj tho
cottage by tho preparations for entertaining
tho company the one room In which Hardy
man could receive Isabel, with tho certainty
OF not being interrupted, was tho smoking
roam. To this haven Of refuge he led her
still reserved aud silent, Btill not restored 70
har customary apirita III any Viaitora
coma bofore the tlman Hardyman said 10 his
servant "tell them | am engaged at tho
StAbles-I must have an hours quiet talk
with you" he continued, turning 10 ihabel,
''oE shall DO IN too bad temper 10 receive
my guests with common pollteneaA Tho
worry OF giving this party IL not 70 be told
hsleordA almost wish had been content
with presenting you 10 my mother, and had
let tho reat OF my Acquaintance 20 10 the
deyil." ...
A quiet half hour passed, and tho first yis
itor, a stranger TO tho servants, appeared al
tho cottage gats, He was mlddlo-aged
man, and he had no wish 10 disturb Mr.
Hardyman. II will walt In the grounds, y
hs aald, 'and trouble nobody" The middle
aged man who expressed himself In these
modest terms was Robert Moody
Five minutes later carriage droys up 10
tho gate, IA elderly lady got out OF IL, fol-
lowed by tat white Scotch terrier that
growled at every stranger within his roach,
II n needless 10 Introduce Lady Lydlard and
TOmmie
Informed that Mr. Hardyman was at the
stables Lady LydIard gave the servant her
card, "Take that 10 your master and say
won't detaln him llye minutes With these
words her ladyahIp sauntered into tho
grounds She looked about her with observ'
ant eyes, not only noticing tho tent which
had been set up on the grass 10 accommodate
the expected guests, but entering II and look.
ing At the walters who were engaged In
placing the luncheon on the table, Return
Ing 10 the outer world she next remarked
that Mr., Hardyman's lawn was In very bad
order Barren, sun.drled patches, and little
holes and creylcea opened here and there by
the action OF the summer heat announced
that the lawn, like everything else a. the
farm had been neglected In the exclusive At
tention paid 10 the claims Of the horses,
Reaching n shrubbery which bounded ono
side OF the grounds next, her ladyshIp became
aware Of man slowly approaching her, 20
all appearance absorbed In thought The
man drew little nearer. She lifted hor
glasses 10 her eyes and recognized Moody,
No embarrassment was produced on eithor
sdo by this unexpected meeting Lady
Lydiard had, not long since, sent 10 ask her
former steward 10 visit her, regrcttIng In
her warm hearted way the terms on which
thoy had separated, aud wishing 10 atone for
tho harsh language that had escaped hor at
their parting Interview. In the friendly
talk which followed the reconciliation Lady
Iydlard not only heard the news OF Moody'a
pecuniary inheritance but noticing the
change In his appearance for the worse, con
trivod 10 extract from him tho confession OF
his ill-Starrod passion for Isabel To discover |
him now, after all that ho had acknowledged,
walking about the grounds at llardyman's |
farm, took her ladyahip completely by sur.
prise Good hoavonsln aho exclaimed, In
hor loudoSt tones, "what aro you doing hcroI' |
"You mentioned Mr.. Hardyman'a garden |
party, my lady, whom l had tho honor OF |
waiting on you, Moody answered "Think. |
ing over II afterwards, II seemed tho ilttoat |
occasion | could find for making little |
wedding present 10 Miss Isabel IL thcre any |
harm In my asking Mr., Hardyman 10 lot mo |
put tho present on hor plato NO that she may |
400 10 whom she slta down 10 luncheonl II |
your ladyship thinks 40 | will 20 away
directly, aud send tho gift by post,n
Lady Lydiard looked at him attcntlyely |
you don't dcspiso the girl, )" she asked, "for
selling herself for rank and money! | do,
ran toll YOU
Moody's worn white faco flushed n little |
mo, my LADY, ho answered, ~ can't hear
you my that Isabel would not have engaged
horpolf 10 Mr. llardyman unless she had boon
Tond Of him-as fond, dare say, M onco
hoped she might bo Of me. It's hard thing
10 confess that; but do confess H. In justice
10 hor-God bless herm
Tho generosity that spoke In those simple
words touched the finest sympathIea In Lady
Iydhrd's nature "Givo mo your hand ~ aho
laid, with her own generous spirit klndling
IN hor eyes "You have great heart,
Moody Isabel Miller In n fool for not
marrying vou--and ono day sho win know itn
Before word moro could pass botwcon
hon, Hardymans voice was audible on tho
,thor Gdo OF the shrubbory, calling irritably
o his servant 10 find Lady Lydard,
Moody retired 10 tho farther cnd OF tho
walk, while Lady Lydiard advanced In tho
,ppoaito direction, 10 ~ 10 mcot IIardyman
1t tbc entrance TO the shrubbory, llo bowed
ItiAiy, aud legged 10 know why hor lodyship
Nd honorod him with visit
Lady Lydiard replied, wi hout noticing
ho GOODNESS Of hor receptions
~ havo not boon very well, Mr. Hardy.
nan, or you would hayo soon mo before this
Ny only object IN presenting myself hero Ia
o mako my excuses personally for having
.ritton OF you In terms which expressed
loubt OF your honor havo done you nm
injustice and bog you 10 forgive mo-
Hardyman acknowledged this frank
apo!ogy os unrcscrvcdly IA II hid booa
)ffored 10 him "Say no more, Lady
Lydiard. And lot mo hope, now you arc
horc, that you will honor my little party
with your presence
Lady Lydiard gaycly stated her reasons
Tor not accepting tho invitation
II disapproyo NO strongly OF unequal mar.
no cottage, "that oann5t in COMMON CON
Istoncy, become ono Of your guesta | shall
lwnys feel Interested In ISABEL Millor's vol
are, and can honestly say shall DO glad II
our married lifo proves that my old
ashionod prcjudio@ arc without Justiaca'
lon In your case Accept my thanks for
our invitation, and lot mo hope that my
lain speaking has not offended you,"'
Sho bowed and looked about her for Tom
no before sho advanced 70 tho carriage
Waiting for her at the gate In the surprise
4 seeing Moody sho had forgotten TO look
'ack for tho dog whom sho entered tho
hrubbery Sno now called tonim, and blew
ho whistle at her watch chain, Not n sign
II Tommie was 10 be scon Hardyman I'M
family directed tho servants 10 search In tho
'ottago and out Of tho cottage for tho dog
chn nrlnr axnn nlAnund with Nil nnndfnl no |