Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-03-25
NYLADY'S MONEY
BY WILKIE COLLINS.
AN EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF YOUNG GIRL
PART THE SECOND.
THE DISCOVERY.
CONTINUED.
LHAPTER XII
HAPPIER XII

The trim little maid servant ran up stairs
from her modest little kitchen, trembling at
the terrible prospect of having to open the
door, Miss Pink, deafened by the barking,
had just time to say, What very ill-be-
haved dog!n when sound of small objects
overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of
furious claws across the oil CLOTH announced
that Tommie had invaded the house As
the servant appeared, introducing Lady
Lydiard, the dog ran in. He made one fran
tic leap at Isabel, which would certainly
have knocked her down but for the chair
that happened to be standing behind her.
Received on her lap, the faithful creature
half smothered her with his caresses. He
barked he shrieked, in his JOY at seeing her
again. He jumped off her lap and tore
round and round the room at the top of his
speed, and every time he passed Miss Pink he
showed the whole range of his teeth, and
snarled ferociously at her ankles. Having
at last exhausted his superhuous energy, he
leaped back again on Isabers lap, with his
tongue quivering ii his open mouth, his
tail wagging softly, and his eye on Miss
Pink, inquiring how she liked dog in her
drawing room.
II hope my dog has not disturbed you,
ma'amN said Lady Lydiard, advancing from
the mat at the doorway, on which she had
patiently waited until the raptures of Tom
mie sub,ided into repose.
Miss Pink trembling with terror and in.
indignation, acknowledged Lady Lydiards
polite inquiry by ceremonious bow and an
answer which administered by implication
a dignifed reproof. Your ladyships dog
does not appear to be a very well trained
animal" the ex-schoolmistresS remarked
''Well trainedp Lady Lydiard repeated
as if the expression We're perfectly uninte-
ligible 70 her; Il don't think you have had
much experience of dogs, ma'am.n She
turned to Isabel and embraced her tenderly
Give me a kiss my dear. You don't know
how wretched | have been since you left
me-" She looked back again at Miss Pink
You are not, perhaps, aware, ma'alA, that
my dog is devotedly attached to your niece.
A dogs love has been considered by many
great men (whose names at the moment
escape mel as the most touching and disin-
terested of all earthly affections She
looked the other way, and discovered the
lawyer. How do you do, Mr.. Troys It's
pleasant surprise to find you here. The
house was so dull without Isabel that really
couldn't put off seeing her any longer.
When you are more used to Tommie Miss
Pink, you will understand aud admire him
You understand and admire him, Isabel,
don't you! Ny child, you are not looking
well. | shall take you back with me when
the horses have had their rest. We shall
never be happy away from each other"
Having expressed her sentiments, distrib-
uted her greetings, and defended her dog
all, as it were, in one breath-Lady Lydiard
sat down by Isabel's side, and opened large
green fan that hung at her girdle You
have no idea, Miss Pink, how fat people
suffer in hot weather." said the old lady,
using her fan vigorously.
Miss Pinh's eyes dropped modestly to the
ground-"fat" was such a coarse word to use,
II lady must speak of her superfuous flesh!
May / offer some Iefreshmentl' Miss
Pink asked. mncingly. "A cup of tear
Lady Lydiard shook her head.
"A glass of waterN'
Lady Lydiard declined this last hospitable
proposal with an exclamation Of disgust
'Have you got any beer?' she inquired.
II beg your adyship's pardon" said Miss
Pink, doubling the evidence of her own ears
"Did you say-beerF'
Lady Lydiard gesticuated vehmently with
her fan. Yes TO be sure! Beer. beer."
Miss Pink rose. with countenance express
sive of genteel disgust and rang the bell.
Il think You have beer downstairs. SusanT
she said, when the maid appeared at the door.
"Yes. miss
"A glass Of beer for Lady Lydiard,' said
Miss Pink, under protest.
Bring it in a jug,n shouted her ladyship,
AS the maid left the room 81 like to froth it
up for MYSELF she continued, addressing
Miss Pink. Isabel sometimes does it for me-
when she is at home: don't you, my dearg'
Miss Pink had been waiting her opportu-
nifty to assert her own claim to the possession
of her own niece from the time when Lady
-Lydiard had coolly declared her intention of
taking Isabel back with her. The opportu-
Tity now presented itself
Your ladyship will pardon me-" she said,
"if / remark that my nieces home is under
my humble roof. ] am properly sensible,
hope, of your kindness TO Isabel but while
she remains the object of disgraceful sus-
picion, she remains with me"
Lady Lydiard closed her fan with an angry
snap.
"You are completely mistaken, Miss Pink.
You may not mean it. but you speak most
unjustly if you say that your niece is an OBJ
ject of suspicion to me or to anybody in my
house"
Mr. Troy, quietly listening up to this point,
now interposed to stop the discussion before
it could degenerate into quarrel His keen
observation, aided by his accurate knowi-
edge of his clients character, had plainly re-
vealed to him what was passing in Lady
Lydiard's mind. She had entered the house,
feeling perhaps unconsciously) a jealousy OF
Miss Pink as her predecessor in IsabeFs anec-