Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-04-15
Helena, Montana. Thursday, April IS, 1896

A knock at the door startled him i'm the middle o,
his work Come in' he called out, sharply
He looked up expecting to see one OF the guests Oh
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.
Il have seen Miss Isabel and spoken with her.
Moody replied. "Mr. Hardyman / believe it is in
your power to set this matter right For the young
ladys sake, sir you must not leave England without
doing it,"
Hardyman turned to his foreman as this fellow
mad or drunk he asked.
Moody proceeded calmly and resolutely as il
those words had not been spoken. Il apologize fol
my intrusion, sir. l will trouble you with no eX
planations will only ask one question. Have you
a memorandum of the number of that ESQ note
which you paid away in France?'
Hardyman lost all control over himself
You scoundrel" he cried, have you been pryins
into my private affairs? Is it your business to know
what did in Frances'
"Is it your vengeance a woman 70 refuse to
tell her the number Of d bank note?' Moody re
joined firmly.
That answer forced its way through Hariymans
anger to Hariyman's sense Of honor. He rose and
advanced to Moody. For a moment the two meu
faced each other in silence. You're a bold fellow
said Hard yman, with sudden change from anger &c
irony. I'll do the lady Justice I'll look at my pocket
book"
He put his hand into the breast pocket Of his coat
he searched his other pockets he turned the Oh
jects on his writing table The book was gone
Moody watched him with feeling of despair. "Oh
Mr.. Harlyman don't say you have lost your pocket
book"
He sat down again at his desk, with sullen subms
sion to the new disaster "All can saw is YOU'RE al
liberty to look for it, he replied. II 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. "NIr. Hardymsn has lost his pocketbook" he
said. Look for il, indoors and out. the lawn
in the tent. Ten pounds reward for the man who
finds it,
Servants and walters instantly dispersed eager fo
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 las
were too completely absorbed in pursuing the object
in view notice that they disturbed O dog eating
stolen lunch of his own from the morsels efton the
plates. The dog slunk away under the canvas wheI
the in. waited in hiding until they hao
gone, then returned to the tent and went on with
his luncheon
Moody FASTENED back to the part of the grounds
(cose to the shrubbery) i'll which lsabelwas waiting
his return
She looked at him. while he telling her Of his
interview with Hardyman with an expression in heI
ewes which he had never seen In them before-an
preston which set his heart beating wildly, and
made him break of in his narrative before he hac
reached the end
81 understand" she said, quietly, he stopped in
confusion. you have made one more sacrifice to my
welfare. Robert, believe you are the nOblest man
that ever breathed the breath of lfe,'
His eyes sank before hers he blushed like boy
81 have done nothing for you yet" he said. Don't
despair of the future if the pocketbook should not he
found | know who the man is who received the
bank note and have only to find him to decide tbs
question whether il is the stolen note on not"
Sla smiled at his enthusiasm.
".tre you going back to Mr. Sharon to help your
She asked. THAT trick he played me has destroyed
my belief in him. He 10 more knows than do who
the thief really is
you are mistaken Isabel He knows. and know
He stopped there aud made sign to her to DE silent
one Of the servants was approaching them
as the pocketDook foundF Moody asked.
"No, sir"
Has Mr. Hardyman lett the cottage?"
He has just gone. slr. Have you any further in
structons TO give us?'
NO. There is my address in London il the pocket
book should be found"
The took the card that was handed to him and
retired. Moody offered his TO Isabel Il am al
your service he said, when you wish To return to
your aunt.
They had advanced nearly as 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 hm as Mr.. Felix Sweetsir.
.'Ha. our good Moody cried Felix. "EnviaI'e
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. Hardyman2 May
offer my best congratulations What has become OF
friend AlfredF'
quries at the cottage sir" he said, you will find
that you mistaken, to say the least Of it, in al
dressing your questions 10 this young lady
Felix off his hat again with the most becoming
appearance of surprise and distress.
Something wrong, | fear" he said. addressing
Isabel 81 am, indeed, ashamed if have ignorantly
gwen you a moments pain. Pray accept my most
sincere apologies have only, this instant arrived
my health would not allow me to be present at the
luncheon. Permit me to express the earnest hope
that matters may be set right, the satisfaction
all parties. Good afternoon
He bowed with elaborate courtesy, and turned
back to the cottage.
"Who is that2" Isabel asked.
"Lady Lydiards nephew, Mr.. Felix Sweetsr,"
Moody answered, with Sudden stenness of tone
and sudden cCldness Of manner which surprised
Isabel
"You don't like him." she said
she spoke, Felix stopped to give audience to
of the grooms, who had, apparently, been sent with
a message to him. He turned that his face
more visible to Isabel Moody pressed her hand
Significantly as it rested ON his
Look well at that man." he whispered. "It's time
to warn you. Mr.. Felix Sweetsr is the worst enemy
you have"
Isabel heard him in speechless astonishment He
went on in tones that trembed with suppressed
emotion
"You doubt If Sharon knows the thief. You do
n know the thief Isabel. certainly as the heaven