Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-03-05
CHAPTER Xxx.


There was no rain, but the air was heavy,
and the sky was overcast by lowering clouds.
Some hours before the guests were expected
Isabel arrived alone at the farm bearing the
apologies of unfortunate Miss Pink, still
kept prisoner in her bedchamber by the
asthma In the confusion produced at the
cottage by the preparations for entertaining
the company. the one room In which Hardy
man could receive Isabel, with the certainty
of not being interrupted, was the smoking
room. To this haven of refuge he led her
still reserved and silent, still not restored to
her Gus. omary spirits. "f any visitors
come before the time" Hardyman said to his
servant ''tell them I am engaged at the
stables-I must have an hours quiet talk
with you," he continued. turning to Isabel,
cor 1 shall be in too bad temper to receive
my guests with common politeness The
worry of giving this party is not to be told
in words. I almost wish I had been content
with presenting you to my mother, and had
let the rest of my acquaintance go to the
devil"
A quiet half hour passed. and the first Wis
itor, stranger to the servants, appeared a!
the cottage gate. He was a midd'e-aged
man, and he had no wish to djs6urb Mr.
Hardyman. Il will wait in the grounds
he said, land trouble nobody The middle
aged man who expressed himself IN tnese
modest terms was Robert Moody.
Five minutes later carriage drove up to
the gate. An elderly lady got out Of it, fol
lowed by fat white Scotch terrier that
growled at every stranger within his reach.
It is needless to introduce Lady Lydiard and
Tosnmie.
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 these
words her ladyship sauntered into the
grounds She looked about her with observ'
ant eyes, not only noticing the tent which
had been set up on the grass to accommodate
the expected guests, but entering it and look
ing 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 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 a 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 in
her warm hearted way the terms on which
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 Moodys
pecuniary Inheritance, but, noticing the
change in his appearance for the worse con-
trived to extract from him the confession Of
his illstarred passion for Isabel To discover
him now, after all that he had acknowledged,
farm, took her ladyship completely by sur
prise. Good heavens!" she exclaimed, in
her loudest tones, "what are you doing here?'
"You mentioned Mr.. Hardyman's garden
party, my lady, when I had the honor of
waiting on you" Moody answered. Think
ing over it afterwards, it seemed the fittest
occasion I could find for making a 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 luncheons II
your ladyship thinks so l will go away
directly, and send the gift by post"
Lady Lydiard looked at him attentively.
''You don't despise the girl" she asked, "for
selling herself for rank and money! / do,
can tell you"
Moodys worn white face flushed little
'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, 1 dare say, as l once
hoped she might be of me. It's hard thing
to confess that; but l do confess it, in justice
to her-God bless her!''
The generosity that spoke in those simple
words touched the finest sympathies in Lady
Lydiard's nature. "Give me your hand, " she
said, with her own generous spirit kindling
in her eyes. "You have a great heart
Moody. Isabel Miller is fool for not
marrying you-and one day she will know it.
Before 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
stifly, and begged to know why her ladyship
had honored him with visit
Lady Lydiard replied, without noticing
the GOODNESS of her reception:
II have not been very we'll Mr.. Hardy