Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-03-05
Continued from First paB. }

(ConHa1s1 from First p1B.)
ana ms lips rast closed, ne entered paror anu
rang the bell which communicated with his foremans
rooms at the stables.
You know that am going abroad on businessf' he
said, when the man appeared.
''Yes, SIR"
81 am going to-day-going by the night train to
Dover Order the horse to be put to instantly in the
dog cart. Is there anything wanted before Off"
The memorable necessities of business asserted
their claims through the obedient medium of the
foreman Chatting at the delay, Hardyman was
obliged to sit at his desk signing checks and passing
accounts, with the dog cart waiting in the stable
yard.
knock at the door startled him in the middle Of
his work. Come I'M" he called out, sharply.
He looked up, expecting to of the guests or
one of the servants. 1t was Moody who entered the
room. Hardyman laid down his pen and fixed his
eyes sternly the man who had dared to interrupt
him.
what the devil do you want?" he asked
81 have seen Miss Isabel, and spoken with her"
Moody replied. "Mr. Hardyman, 1 believe it is in
your power to this matter right. For the young
lady's sake, SIR must not leave England without
doing it."
Hardyman turned to his foreman. SIS this fellow
mad or drunkF he asked
Moody proceeded as calmly and resolutely as IL
those words had not been spoken. 81 apologize for
my intrusion, SIR Twill trouble you with no ex-
plantations; will only ask one question. Have you
memorandum of the number of that $500 note
which you paid away In Francef'
Hardyman lost all control himself.
"You scoundrel" he cried, have you been prying
into my private affairs? Is it your business to know
what did in France?"
us it your vengeance on woman to refuse to
tell her the number Of bank note?" Moody re-
Joined, firmly.
That answer forced its way through Hardymans
anger to Hardymans sense Of honor He and
advanced to Moody. For moment the two men
faced each other in silence you're bold fellow"
said Hardyman with a sudden change from anger to
irony. I do the Lady justice. I'll look my pocket
book"
he searched his other pockets he turned the
jects on his writing table. The book was gone.
Moody watched him with feeling Of despair "Oh
Mr. Hardyman, don't say you have lost your pocket
book"
He sat down again at his desk, with sullen submis
sion to the new disaster "All say u.s. you're at
liberty to look for it," he replied. 81 must have
dropped it somewhere" He turned mpatiently to
the foreman: Now, then, what is the next check
wanted? shall go mad If wait in this damned
place much longer"
Moody left him. and found his way to the servants
Offices. 'Mr. Hardyman has lost his pocketbook" he
said. Look for 1t, indoors and out, the lawn and
In the tent. Ten pounds reward for the man who
finds it."
Servants and walters instantly dispersed eager for
the promised reward The men who pursued the
search outside the cottage divided their forces Some
of them examined the lawn and the flower beds:
others went straight to the empty tent These last
too completely absorbed in pursuing the object
IN view 10 nOGlC6 Cnat tney disturbed eating
stolen lunch of his from the morsels left the
plates. The dog skunk away under the canvas when
the men came ill., waited in hiding until they had
gone, then returned to the tent and went on with
his luncheon.
Moody fastened back to the part of the grounds
CLOSE to the shrubbery) in which Isabel waiting
his return
She looked at him. while he was telling her of his
interview with Hardyman, with expression in her
eyes which he had never seen in them before-an
preston which set his heart beating wildly, and
made him break on IN his narrative before he had
reached the end.
81 understand" she said, quietly, he stopped in
confusion, you have made one more sacrifice to my
welfare. Robert, believe you the modest man
that ever breathed the breath Of life!"
His eyes sank before hers he blushed like boy
ST have done nothing for you yet, he said. Don't
despair Of the future if the pocketbook should be
found 1 know who the man is who received the
bank note and have only to find him to decide the
question whether it is the stolen note or not"
She smiled at his enthusiasm.
"Are you going back to Mr. Sharon to help your"
she asked. THAT trick he played me has destroyed
my belief in HIM He no more knows than do who
the thief really IS"
"You are mistaken, Isabel He knows and know"
BE stopped there, and made sign to be silent
One of the servants was approaching them
sis the pocketbook found?" Moody asked.
"No, SIR"
"Has Dir. Hardyman left the cottageT
"He has just gone, sir. Have you any further in.
structions to give us?'
"No There is my address in London if the pocket
book should be found"
The man took the card that was handed to him and
retired. Moody offered his to Isabel. 81 am at
your SERVICE" he said when you wish return to
your aunt"
They had advanced nearly far as the tent, on
their way out of the grounds, when they were met
by gentleman walking toward them from the cot
tage He a stranger to Isabel Moody imme-
diately recognized him as Mr. Felix Sweetsir.
'Ha! good Moody!' cried Felix 'Enviable
man! you look younger than ever" He took off his
hat Isabel; his bright restless eyes suddenly be-
came quiet as they rested on her. Have the honor
of addressing the future Mrs Hardyman3 May 1
offer my best congratulations? What has become of
friend Alfred?"
Moody answered for Isabel. of you will make in
quries at the cottage SIR he said, you will find
that you mistaken, to say the least of it, ad-
dressing your questions to this young lady"
Felix took off his hat again with the becoming
appearance of surprise and distress.
Something wrong, 1 fear" he said, addressing
Isabel II am, indeed ashamed if have ignorantly
gwen you moments pain Pray accept my most
sincere apologies have only this instant arrived;
my healsn would not allow ME to be present at the
luncheon Permit to express the earnest hope
that matters may be set right to the satisfaction
all parties Good afternoon"
He bowed with elaborate courtesy, and turned
back to the cottage
TWho is that?" Isabel asked.
LADY Lydard's nephew, Mr.. Felix sweetsir."
Moody answered, with sudden sternness of tone
and q sudden GOODNESS of manner which surprised
Isabel
'You don't like him." she said
she spoke Felix stopped to give audience to one
of the grooms, who had apparently, been sent with
message to him. He turned SO that his face was
more visible to Isabel Moody pressed her hand
significantly as it rested on his
Look well at that man." he whispered. tits time
to warn you. Mr. Felix Sweetsr is the worst enemy
you harel"
Isabel heard him in speeches. astonlsnment. He
went on in tones that trembled with suppressed
emotion.
"You doubt # Sharon knows the thief You doutn
fri know the thief Isabel, certainly the heaven
Is above u.s. there stands the wretch vino stole the
bank note"