Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-02-26
CHAPTER. XIV

Isabel looked down at the letter in her
hand, considered it in silence, and turned to
Moody. 81 feel tempted to open it already
afeA said
After giving your promised" Moody gAnriv
demonstrated.
Isabel met that objection with woman's
logic
Does promise matter" she asked, ''when
one gives it to dirty, disreputable, presum-
ing old wretch like Mr.. Sharons It's a wonder
20 me that you trust such creature.
wouldn't"
81 doubted him just as you do" Moody
answered, "when l first saw him in company
with Mr. Troy. But there was something in
the advice he gave us at the first consultation
which altered my opinion of him for the
better. l dislike his appearance and his
manners as much as you dol may even say
felt ashamed of bringing such person to
see you. And yet can't think that have
acted unwisely in employing Mr.. Sharon"
Isabel listened absently. She had some
thing more to say, and she was considering
how she should say it. MAY ask you bold
question? she began
''Any question you like"
"Have you" She hesitated and looked
embarrassed ''Have you paid Mr. Sharon
much money!" she resumed, suddenly rally
ing her courage Instead of answering.
Moody suggested that it was time to think
of returning to Miss Pink's villa. Your
aunt may be getting anxious about you, - he
said
Isabel led the way out of the farm house
in silence. She reverted to Mr. Sharon and
the money, however, as they returned by the
path across the fields.
II am sure you will not be offended with
me- she said. gently, eff I own that 1 am
uneasy about the EXPENSES. 1 am allowing
you to use your purse as if it were mine, and
have hardly any savings of my own"
Moody entreated her not to speak of it.
''How can put nv money to better use
than in serving your interestsN he asked.
my one object in life is to relieve you of
your present anxieties shall be the hap
piest man living if you only owe moments
happiness to my exertions."
Isabel took his hand, and looked at him
with grateful tears in her eyes.
"How good you are to me, Mr.. Moody"
she said. 81 wish could tell you how deeply
feel your kindness"
you can do it easily" he answered, with
a smile Call me Robert: don't call me
Mr.. Moody"
She took his arm with a sudden familiarity
that charmed him. eff you had been my
brother should have called you Robert ~
she said; land no brother could have been
more devoted to me than you are
He looked eagerly at her bright face turned
up to his. 'Mav I never hope to be some
thing nearer and dearer to you than
brothers' he asked, tinidly.
She hung her head and said nothing.
Moody's memory recalled Sharons coarse
reference to her Sweetheart She had
b1ushe1 when he nut the question. What
had she done when Moody put his question?
Her face answered for her-she had turned
pale; she was looking more serious than
usual Ignorant as he was of the ways OF
women, his instinct told him that this was
bad sign Surely her rising color would
have confessed it. if time and gratitude 20
eether were teaching her to love him? He
sighed as the inevitable conclusion forced it
self on his mind.
81 hope have not offended yous" he said,
sadly.
"Oh no."
81 wish I had not spoken. Pray don't
think that am serving you with any Sc fish
motive"
Il don't think that Robert. l never
could think it of you."
He was not quite satisfied vet. Even II
YOU were to marry some other man." he
went on. earnestly, "it would make no dlfler-
ence in what am trying to do for you No
matter what might suffer, should still go
on-for your sake
"Why do you talk so" she burst out pas
sionately mo other man has such claim
as yours to my gratitude and regard How
can you let such thoughts come 10 yous
have done nothing in secret. I have no
fr;e,ds who are not known to YOU. Be salts
fed with that, Robert, and let us drop the
..Neyer to take it up again" he asked,
with the infatuated pertinacity of man
clinpinp to his last hone