Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-03-05

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The bracelet and the note avere il, her
hands
the conflicting emotions that In her at the sight
the bracelet the reading of the note Her head
dropped and the tears hiled her eyes; are an we,
men blind as have been to what is good and
noble in the who love themT she wondered,
sadly Better 1t is" she thought, with bitter
Sigh; st am not worthy of him."
As she took up the pencil to write her answer to
Moody on the back of her dinner card. the servant
appeared again at the door Of the tent.
"My master wants you at the cottage, miss, imme-
dIately."
Isabel rose putting the bracelet and the note in the
lver-mounted leather pocketbook "a present from
Hardyman) which hung at her belt In the hurry OF
passing round the table to get out she never noticed
that her dress touched Hardymans pocketbook,
placed closed to the edge and threw down on the
grass below The book fell into one Of the heat
cracks which Lady Lydiard had noticed as evidence
of the neglected condition Of the cottage lawn.
"You ought to hear the pleasant news my sister
has Just brought me-" said Hardyman, when Isabel
Joined him in the parlor. Mrs Drumblade has been
told, the best authority, that my mother is not
coming to the party.
There must be some reason of course, dear Isabel"
added Mrs. Drumblade. Have you any idea OF what
It can be2 haven't my mother myself and all
my inquiries have failed to find it out"
She looked searchingy at Isabel as she spoke. The
mask of sympathy on her face was admirably worn.
Nobody who possessed only superficial acquaint-
ance with Mrs. Drumblades character would have
suspected how thoroughly she was enjoying in secret
the position Of embarrassment in which her news
had placed her brother. Instinctvely doubling
whether Mrs. Drumblade's friendly behavior was
quite so sincere appeared to be- Isabel answered
that she was stranger to Lady Rotherfeld and was
therefore quite at loss to explain the cause Of her
ladyship's absence. As she spoke the guests began
to arrive in quick succession, and the subject was
dropped as matter of course.
1t was not merry party. Hardymans approach
ing marriage had been made the topic Of much mali
cfous gossip, and Isabers character had usual in
such cases. become the object of all the false reports
that scandal could invent. Lady Rotherfelds alb
sence confirmed the general conviction that Hardy
man was disgraclng himself. The were all more
or less uneasy The women resented the discovery
that Isabel personally speaking at least beyond
the reach of hostile criticism Her beauty was viewed
as downright offense her refined and modest
ners were set down perfect acting-"Really dis
gushing my DEAR in so young girl" Gen. Drum
bade-a large and mOldy veteran in state OF
chronic establishment (after his matrimonial
perience)at Hardyman's folly in marrying at all
diffused a wide circle of gloom wherever he went
and whatever he did His accomplished wife, forcing
her high spirits everybody's attention with
of kittenish playfulness intensified the depressing
effect OF the general dizziness by all the force of the
strongest contrast. After waiting half hour for
his mother. and waiting in vain, Hardyman led the
way to the tent in despair 1.-THE sooner fill their
stomachs and get rid of them, he thought savagely
1.-THE better shall be pleased"
The luncheon was attacked by the company with a
certain silent ferocity which the walters noticed
remarkable, even in their large experience. The
drank deeply, but with wonderfully little effect
In raising their spirits; the women, with the excep
ton Of amiable Mrs Drumblade kept Isabel deliber
ately out Of the conversation that went on among
them Gen. Drumblade, sitting next to her in one OF
the places of honor discoursed to Isabel privately
"my brothertn-law Hardymans internal temper
young marquis on her other side-a mere lad.
chosen to make the necessary speech in acknowledge.
ment of his superior rankrose in state of nervous
trepidation to propose Isabes health the chosen
bride Of their host Pale and trembling conscious Of
having forgotten the words which he had learned be-
forehand, this unhappy young nobleman began:
Ladies and gentlemen, l haven't an idea" He
stopped put his hand to his head stared wildly and
sat down again, having coptrived to state his own
case with mastery brevity and perfect truth in
speech of seven words.
While the dismay in and the amuse-
ment in others was still at its height, Hardyman's
valet made his appearance and approaching his
ter, said in whisper: could speak to you sir, for
moment outsider?
"What the devil do you want7" Hardyman asked
irritaby. "ls that letter In your hand? Give it
to me-"
The valet was Frenchman. In other words, he
had sense Of what was due to himself. His master
had forgotten this. He gave up the letter with a
certain dignity Of manner and left the tent Hardy
man opened the letter. He turned pale he read it.
crumpled it in his hand and threw it down on the
table "By Cd it's a lie!" he exclaimed, furiously.
The guests in confusion. Mrs. Drumblade,
finding the letter within her reach cooy possessed
herself of it, recognized her mothers handwriting,
and read these lines:
81 have only succeeded in persuading your
father to let write to you. For Gods sake break
off your marriage at any sacrifice Your father has
heard on unanswerable authority, that Miss Isabel
Miller left her situation in Lady Lydiard's house
suspicion of theft"
While his sister was reading this letter. Hardyman
had made his way to IsabePs chair 81 speak to
you directly" he whispered. Come away with me-"
He turned as he took her arm, and looked at the
table "Where is my letter." he asked. Mrs. Drum
blade handed it to him dextrously crumpled up
again as she had found it.
mo bad news dear Alfred hopper" she said, in
her most affectlonate manner. Hardyman snatched
the letter from her, without answering, and led
Isabel out of the tent.
Read that" he said when they were alone,
sand tell me at once whether it's true or false
Isabel read the letter For moment the shock of
the discovery held her speeches.. She recovered
herself and returned the letter.
sit is true" she answered.
Hardynan staggered back as IL she had shot him,
"True that you DIRE guilty}" he asked,
mo; am innocent. Everybody who knows me be.
Heves i'll my innocence. 1t is true that the appear.
ances against me. They are against me still"
Having said this she waited quietly and firmly. fos
bis next words.
He passed his hand over his forehead with sigh OF
oad enough - H.,- = F., .rI---ss
quietly on his side. But the remedy for it is plain
enough. Come back to the tent
she never moved "Wnryf' She asked.
"Do you suppose don't believe in your innocence
too?" he answered. "The one way Of setting you
right now is for me to make you my wife, In spite OF
the appearances that point to you. Pm too fond of
you, Isabel to give you up. Come back with me- and
1 will announce our marriage to my friends"
She took his hand and kissed it. at is generous
and good of you" she said; 'but it must not be-"
He took step nearer to her. What do you nlean?
he asked.
ut was against my WILL" she pursued. shat my
aunt concealed the truth from you. did wrong to
a., Ty;n1
is right Alfred After what has happened, am not
ut to be your wife until innocence Is proved. 1t
Is not proved yeti
The angry color began rise his face once more.
take care he said; II am not in a humor to be
trifed with"
81 am not trifing with you," she answered, in low,
you really mean what you saya'
81 mean it."
Don't be obstinate, Isabel Take time to con-
slider"
"You very kind, Alfred. My duty is plain to
me- will marry you-if you still wish t--when my
good name is restored to me-not before"
He laid one hand OH her arm, and pointed with the
other to the guests in the distance all leaving the
tent on their way to their carriages.
Your good name will be restored to you," he said,
ION the day when make you my wife The worst
enemy you have cannot associate my name with
suspicion of theft. Remember that, and think
little before You decide. You those people therea
ifyou don't change your mind by the time they have
got to the cottage, it's good-by between us, and
accept conditional engagement. Wait, and think.
They're walking slowly you have got some minutes
more"
He still held her arm, watching the guests as they
gradually receded from view 1t was not until they
had all collected in group outside the cottage door
that he spoke himself that he permitted Isabel to
speak again.
'Now," he said, "you have had your time to get
cool. VIII you take my arm and join those people
with me, or will you say good-by forever"
"Forgive me- Alfred" she began gently. 81 cannot
consent in justice to you, to shelter myself behind
your name. 1t is the Of your family, and they
have right to expect that will not degrade it,
II want plain answer" he interposed sternly.
(which is it2 Yes er MOI"
She looked at him with sad compassionate eyes.
Her voice firm as she answered him In the one
word that he desired. The word was-"No"
Without speaking to her without even looking at
her he turned and walked back to the cottage.
Making his way silently through the group Of WIS.,
itors-every one of whom had been Informed Of
what had hapnened by his sister-with his head down