Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-02-05


IT mad dens mel can't endure IT,
ISABEL looked down at the floor and fol-
lowed the lines in the pattern of the carpet
with the end of her smart little shoe. She
could hardly have been farther away from
really understanding Moody if he had spoken
in Hebrew. She was partly startled, partly
puzzled, by the strong emotions which she
had unconsciously called into being. "Oh,
dear mel' she said, why can't you talk of
something else9 Why can't we be friends?
Excuse me for mentioning it," she went on,
looking up at him with saucy smile, 'you
are old enough to he my father"
Moody's head sank on his breast. ~ own
it, he answered, h,nnbly. "But there is
something to be said for me- Men as old as
am have made good husbands before now.
I would devote my whole life to make you
happy. There isn't wish You could form
which I wouldn't be proud to obey. You
mustn't reckon me by years. My youth has
not been wasted in profligate life | can
be truer to you and fonder of you than many
younger man Surely my heart is not quite
unworthy of you, when it is all yours. 1 have
lived such lonely, miserable life and you
might so easily brighten it! You are kind to
everybody else, Isabel Tell me, dear, why
are you so hard Oh mel ?"
His voice trembled as be appealed to her in
those simple words. He had taken the right
way at last to produce an impression on her
She really felt for him All that was true
and tender in her nature began to rise in her
and take his part Unhappily, he felt too
deeply and too strongly to be patient, and to
give her time. He completely misinterpreted
her silence-completely mistook the motive
that made her turn aside for moment to
gather composure enough to speak to him.
"Ah!" he burst out, bitterly, turning away
on his side, you have no hearth"
She instantly resented those unjust words.
At that moment they wounded her to the
quick.
You know best,n she said ~ have no
doubt you are right. Remember one thing,
however, though have no heart, 1 have
never encouraged you, Mr. Moody. l have
declared over and over again that l could
only be your friend. Understand that for
the future, il you please There are plenty
of nice women who will be glad to marry
you, have no doubt. You will always have
my best wishes for your welfare Good
morning. Her ladyship will wonder what
has becouie of Ile. Be SO kind as to let me
pass"
Tortured by the passion that consumed
him, Moody obstinately kept his place be-
tween Isabel and the door The unworthy
suspicion of her. which had been in his mind
all through the interview, now forced its way
outward to expression at last.
mo woman ever used a man as you use
me without some reason for it," he said.
"You have kept your secret wonderfully
well; but, sooner or later, all secrets get
found out. know what is in your mind as
well as you know it yourself. You are in
love with some other man"
Isabers face flushed deeply the defensive
pride of her sex was up in arms in an in
slant. She cast one disdainful look at Moody,
without troubling herself to express her con-
tempt in words ''Stand out of my way,
sir" that was all she said to him.
"You are in love with some other MN !"
he reiterated, passionately. 'Deny it if you
camp
"Deny i'll" she repeated, with flashing eyes
"What right have you to ask the question:
Am not free to do as please?'
He stood looking at her, meditating his
next words, it'll a sudden and sinister
change to self-restraint Suppressed rage
was in his rigidly set eyes, suppressed rage
was in his trembling hand as he raised it
emphatcally while he spoke his NEXT words
Il have one thing more to say" he an
swered, land then l have done. If I am not
your husband, no other man shall be. Look
well to it, Isabel Miller. If there is another
man between US, can tell him this-he shall
find 4 10 easy matter to rob me of your
She started, and turned pale; but it was
only for a moment. The high spirit that was
IN her rose brightly in her eyes, and faced
him without shrinking
''Threats?' she said, with quiet contempt.
''When you make love, Mr.. Moody, you take
strange ways of doing it. My conscience is
easy. You may try to brighten me, but you
will not succeed. When you have recovered
yonr temper will accept your excuses" She
paused and pointed to the table. "There is
the letter that you told me to leave for you
when had sealed it." she went on. 81 sup
pose you have her ladyship's orders. Isn't it
time yon began to think of obeying them?
The contemptuols conposure of her tone
and manner seemed to act on Moody with
crushing effect Without a word of answer
the unfortunate steward took up the letter
from the table Without word Of answer
he walked mechanically to the great door
which opened on the staircase, turned on the
threshold to look at Isabel waited moment.
pale and still, and suddenly left the room.
That silent departure, that hopeless sub.
mission, impressed Isabel in spite of herself
The sustaining sense of injury and isnult sank,
as it were. from under her the moment she
was alone. He had not been gone minute
before she began to he sorry for him once
more. The interview bad taught her moth
ing. She was neither old enough nor expert
euced enough to understand the overwhelm-
ing revolution produced in a mans character
when he feels the passion of love for the first
time in the maturity of his life If Moody
had stolen a kiss at the first opportunity, she
would have resented the liberty that he had
taken with her; but she would have thor
oughly understood him. His terrible earnest
ness his overpowering agitation, his abrupt
violence--all these evidences of passion that
was mystery to hmself--simply puzzled
her. "I'm sure didn't wish to hurt his feel
ings" such was the form that her reflections
took in her present penitent frame Of mind !;
hut why did he provoke nes 1t is Shame
to tell me that ! love some other man, when
there is no other man | declare | begin to
hate the men, if they are all like Mr.. Moody.
l wonder whether he will forgive me when
he sees me again7 Pm sure I'm willing to
forget and forgive on my side, especially if
he won't insist on my being fond of him lss
cause he is fond Of me. OH, dear! wish he
would coma back and shake hands It's
enough to try the patience of saint to be
trented in this way. | wish was uglyl The
ugly ones have a quiet time of 1.-THE men
let them he Mr.. Moodyl Mr. Moody" She
wont out to the landing and called to him
softly. There was no answer He was no
longer in the house She stood still for
monent in silent vexation. "I'll go to Tom
mie," she decided 'Im sure he's the most
agreeable company of the two. And--oh,
good graciousl-thara's Mr.. Hardyman wait.
ing to give me my Instructions How do
look ] wondera"
She consulted the glass once more. gave
one or two corrective touches to her hair
and can and fastened into the boudoir.