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

Hardyman went on to the cottage. he
found Isabel in some agitation. And there
by her side with his tail wagging slowly and
his eye on Hardyman in expectation of a
possible kick-there was the lost Tommie
HAS Lady Lydiard gomez Isabel asked
eagerly.
Yes" said Hardyman Where did you
find the dog!"
As events had ordered it, the dog had found
Isabel-under these circumstances:
The appearance of Lady Lydiard's card in
the smoking room had been an alarming
event for Lady Lydiard's adopted daughter
She was guiltily conscious of not having an
swered her ladyships note, inciosed in Miss
Pinks letter, and of not having taken her
ladyship's advice in resisting the advances OF
Hardyman. As he rose to leave the room
and receive his visitor in the grounds. Isabel
entreated him to say nothing of her presence
at the farm unless Lady Lydard exhibited
forgiving turn of mind by asking 20 see her.
Left by herself in the smoking room she sud
denly heard bark in the passage which had
a familiar sound in her ears. She opened
the door, and in rushed Tommie, with one
of his shrieks of delight Curiosity
had taken him into the house. He had
heard the voices in the smoking room, had
with his customary cunning and his Gus
tomary distrust of strangers, until Hardy
man was out of the way Isabel kissed and
caressed him, and then drove him ont again
to the lawn, fearing that Lady Lydiard
might return to look for him. Going back
to the smoking room she stood at the win
dow watching fol Hardyman's return
When the servants came in to look for the
dog, she could only tell them that she had
last seen him in the grounds, not far from
the cottage. The useless search being aban-
doned, and the carriage having left the gate,
who should crawl oIt from the back of a
cupboard in which some empty hampers
were placed but Tommie himself! How he
had contrived to get back to the smoking
room unless she had omitted to completely
close the door on her return) it was impos-
sible TO say. But there he was determined
this time to stay with Isabel, and keeping in
his hiding place until he heard the move
ment of tie carriage wheels, which informed
him that his lawful mistress had left the
cottage. Isabel had at once called to Hardy
man, on the chance that the carriage might
yet be t)pped 1t was already out of sight,
and nobody knew which of two roads it had
taken, both leading to London. In this
emergency Isabel could only look at Hardy
man, and ask what was to be done.
Il can't spare a servant till after the
party" he answered. The dog must be
tied up at the stables"
Isabel shook her head. Tommie was not
accustomed to be tied up. He would make
disturbance, and he would be beaten by the
grooms. II will take care Of him." she said.
He won't leave me-"
II am to blame for what mas happened,
Isabel answered sadly. 81 am estranging
you from your friends. There is still time,
Alfred, to alter your mind and let me go"
He put his arm round her with rough
fondness. IL would sacrifice every friend |
have in the world rather than lose you.
Come along!'
They left the cottage At the entrance to
the tent Hardyman noticed the dog at lsabels
heels, and vented his i'll temper, as usual
with male humanity, on the nearest un-
offending creature that he could find. BE
off, you mongrel brute!' he shouted The
tail of Tommie relaxed from its customary
tight curve over the small of his back, and
the legs of Tomme with his tail between
them took him at full gallop to the friendly
shelter of the cupboard in the smoking room.
1t was one of those trifling circumstances
which women notice seriously. Isabel said
nothing; she only thought to herself, Il
wish he had shown his temper when l first
knew him.
They entered the tent.
IN read the Names" said Hardyman,
land you find the cards and tear them up.
Stop! I'll keep the cards. You're just the
sort OF woman my father likes. He'll be rec
onciled to me when he sees you, after we
are married If one of those men ever asks
him for place. I'll take care if it's years hence. TO
put an obstacle in his way Here, take my pencil,
and make mark on the cards to remind me; the
same mark set against horse in my book when
don't like him-a cross inclosed in circle" He pro-
duced his pocketbook- His hands trembled with an
ger he the pencil to Isabel and laid the book
on the table He had just read the name OF the frst
false friend and Isabel had just found the card
servant appeared with message. Mrs Drum
blade has arrived, sir. and wishes to see you on
matter OF the greatest importance"
Hardynan left the tent not very willingly. wait
here" he said to Isabel; "Ill be back directly"
She WAS standing near her own place at the table.
Moody had left end of the jewelers. visible
above the napkin, to attract her attention. In
minute more the bracelet and the note were in her
hands. She dropped on her chair, overwhelmed by