Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-04-08

The result of the interview was partially
successful-and no more. Lord Rotherfield
declined to see his youngest son; and he had
engagements which would, under any cir
cumstances. prevent his being present at the
garden party. But, at the express request of
Lady Rotherfield, he was willing to make
certain concessions
II have always regarded Alfred as barely
sane person. said his lordship, ''since he
turned his back on his prospects to become
horse dealer. If we decline altogether to
sanction this new act-I won't say of insan-
ity, l will say of absurdity-on his part, it is
impossible to predict to what discreditable
extremities he may not proceed. We must
temporize with Alfred In the meantime L
shall endeavor to obtain some information
respecting this young person-named Miller,
think you said, and now resident at South
Morden. If | am satisfied that she is
a woman of reputable character, possess
ing an average education and presentable
manners we may as well let Alfred take his
own way. He is out of the pale of society
as it is and Miss Miller has no father and
mother to complicate matters, which is dis
tinctly a merit on her part-and, in short,
if the marriage is not absolutely disgraceful,
the wisest way las we have no power to pre-
vent 1Ub Will De 10 StDilul L ou VIII soy
nothing to Alfred about what | propose to
do. tell you plainly l don't trust him. You
will simply inform him from me that want
time to consider, and that, unless he hears to
the contrary in the interval, he may expect
to have the sanction of your presence at his
breakfast. or luncheon, or whatever it is ]
must go to town in a day or two, and | shall
ascertain what Alfred's friends know about
this last of his many follies, if l meet any of
them at the club"
Returning to South Morden in no serene
frame of mind, Hardyman found Isabel in a
state of depression which perplexed and
alarmed him.
The news that his mother might be ex-
pected to be present at the garden party
failed to raise her spirits. The only explain
alton she gave of the change in her was that
the dull. heavy weather of the last few days
made her feel little languid and nervous.
Naturally dissatisfied with this reply to his
inquiries, Hardyman asked for Miss Pink.
He was informed that Miss Pink could not
see him. She was constitutionally subject to
asthma, and having warnings of return of
the maady, she was (by the doctors advice)
keeping her room. Hardyman returned to
the farm in a temper which was felt by
everybody in his employment, from the
trainer to the stableboys.
While the apology made for Miss Pink
stated no more than the plain truth, it must
be confessed that Hardyman was right in de-
cining to be satisfied with Isabels excuse for
the melancholy that oppressed her. She had
that morning received Moody's answer to the
lines which she had addressed to him at the
end of her aunt's letter, and she had not yet
recovered from the effect which it had pro-
duced on her spirits.
1T is impossible for me to say honestly
that am not distressed Moody wrote) 'by
the news of your marriage engagement. The
blow has fallen very heavily on me. When
| look at the future now | see only a dreary
blank. This is not your fault: you are in no
way to blame. | remember the time when L
should have been too angry to own this
when might have said or done things which
| should have bitterly repented afterward.
That time is past. My temper has been
softened since have befriended you in your
troubles That good at least has come out
of my foolish hopes, and perhaps also out of
the true sympathy which have felt for you.
/ can honestly ask you to accept my hearts
dearest wishes for yorhr happiness, and l can
keep the rest to myself.
'.Iet me say a word now relating to the
efforts that have made to help you since
that sad day when you left Lady Lydiards
house.
TO BE CONCLUDED IN NEXT ISSUE.