The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-02-11
Chapter VII


Tho sight that met hoodys Wow wrnn
him 10 the heart
Isabel aud tho dog were at play together
Among the varied accomplishments pos
scescd by fommio, tho capacity 10 talSo hi
part at game OF hlde-and-scok WIS one III
playfelow for tho tlmo being put shawl o
a handkerchief over his head, No M 10 pre-
vent him from socing, aud then hid among
tho furnituroa pocketbook or a cigar case
or purse, or anything else that happened B.
bo NJ hand, leaving the dog 70 find II, with
hi kecn sense OF smell 20 guido him Doubly
relieved by tho No aud the boOdlng Tom
mic spirits had revived; and no and bnbo
h1d in,t begun their game whom Moody
looked ino the RON, charged with his ter>
riblo orrand
"Youro burning, Tommie, You're burn
ingp cried the 6irl, laughing and clapping
her hands The next moment sho happened
TO look round, and saw Moody through tho
parted curtains His faco warned hor In
gtantly that something serious had happened
She advanced few stops her eys resting
on him IN silent alarm. Ho was himself too
painfully agitatcd 10 speak Not word
was exchanged between Lady Lydiard and
Mr. Troy in the noxt room. In the complete
HillnWs that prevailed tho dog was heard
shifting and ildgoting about tho furniture.
Robert took Isabel by tho hand and led hor
into tho drawing room "For Gods sake,
spare hcr, my ladyW no whispered. Tho
lawyer heard him.
mo- aaid Mr., Troy, "Bo morclful, aud
tall her the TRUTH
lilo spoke 10 u woman who stood In no mood
OF his advicc Tho Inherent nobility In Lady
Jydard's nature was reused; her great hoart
offered itsclf patiently 10 any sorrow to any
sacrifice.
Putting her arm round Isabol-half carols-
Ing hcr, hnlf supporting hor-Lady Lydlard
aocoptcdthc whole responsibility and told the
whole truth
Reoing under tho frst ahocls, tho poor girl
recovered herself with admirable courage.
She raised her hoad and eyed the lawyer
without tutoring a word, In itS artloS con-
scioumosa Of innocence tho look was nothing
lca, than sublime Addressing rsolf 20 Mr.
Troy, Lady Lydiard polluted 10 label. "Do
you eco guilt thoror she asked.
Mr.. Troy made no answer In tho molan-
choly experience Of humanity 10 which his
profession condemned him, ho bad soon
conscious guilt assume the face Of innocence,
and helpless innocence admit tho disguise OF
guilt, the kconcst observation IN either oaso
failing completely to dotoct tho truth Lady
Jydiard misintcrprotod his silence as oxprcss-
ing tho mllou sclf-aaertlon OF heartloss
man. She turned from him IN contempt,
and hold out her hand 10 Isabel
"Mr Troy IL not satisfied yet" she said,
bitterly, my love, take my hand, and look
me In the face M your equal; know no dif-
ference Of rank at such timo ns this. Do
fore God, who hoars you, are you innocont
Of tho ,..cft Of tho bank noter
''Boforc God, who hears me-" Isabel an
wercd, ~ am Innocent"
Lady IYdinrd looked once moro at tho
lawyer, and waited 10 hcor II he believed
that.
Mr. Troy took refuge in dumb diplomacy
Tho made low bow, II might have meant
thnt hc believed Isabel, or IL might have
meant that he modostly Withdrew bia own
opinion into the background. Lady Lydlard
did not condorond 10 inquire what - meant
"Tho sooner wo bring this painful scene 10
an end The bettern sho said. ~ shall DO
glad 10 avail myself OF your professional an.
nH"ii''i hif afb1, NiNnih wv Niii
Outside Of my house beg TINT you viii
spare no trouble In tracing the lost money 10
Tho person who has really stolen IL Inside
Of my house must positively request that
the disappearance Of tho note may never be
alluded 10, In any way whatever, until your
inquiries bavo bocn sicoessful In discovering
Tho thief In the meanwhile Mrs Tollmdgo
and hcr family must not bo sufferers by my
loss; ] shall pay tho monoy again" Sho
paused and pressed lsabels hand with affoc-
tIonate fcrvor my child," she said, "ono
laa word TO you, and have done You 10
main here with my trust in you and my lovo
for you absolutely unshaken. You arc
dearcr 20 me than over. Never forget thatn
Isabel bent ber head and kissed the hin
hand that still held horn The high spirit that
wns In hcr, inspired by LADY Iydiards en-
ample, roee equal 10 tho dreadful situation In
which ehc waA pleccd.
Continued IN our next.