Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-03-04

was even more charming than her gayetv.
As she lifted her face to him, with large,
solemn eyes, expressive of her sense of re-
sponsibility, Hardyman would have given
every horse in his stables to have had the
privilege of taking her III his arms anI kiss
ing her
''Tommie has the temper of an angel with
the people he likes she said when he
bites, it generally means that he objects to
strangers He loves my lady, and he loves
Mr. Moody, and he loves me, and-and
think that's all This way, sir, if you please
am sure heard my lady call"
"No," said Hardyman, in his immc ably
obstinate way 'Nobody called. About this
dogs temper Doesn't he take to any
strangers! What sort of people does he bite
in generalF'
lsabers pretty lips began to curl upward at
the corners in a quiet smile. Hardyman's
last imbecile question had opened her eyes to
the true state of the case. Still, TOmmie's
future was in this strange gentleman's hands;
she felt bound to consider that. And, more
over, it was no every day event in Isabels ex-
perience to fascinate a famous parsonage,
who was also a magnificent and perfectly
dressed man. She ran the risk of wasting
another minute or two and went on with the
memoirs of Tomme.
Il must own, sir" she resumed, ''that he
behaves little ungratefully-ev to stran-
gers who take an interest i'll him. When he
gets lost in the streets (which is very oftenl
he sits down ON the pavement and howls till
he collects a pitying crowd round him; and
when they try to read his name and address
on his collar he snaps at them. The servants
generally find him and bring him back, and
as soon as he gets home he turns round on the
doorstep and snaps at the servants l think
it must be his fun. You should see him sit
ting up in his chair at dinner time, waiting
to be helped, with his forepaw on the edge of
the table, like the hands of a gentleman at a
public dinner making a speech. But, OH"
cried Isabel, checking herself, with the tears
in her eyes, show can l talk of him in this
way when he is SO dreadfully ILL Some of
them say it's bronchitis, and some say it's his
liver Only yesterday l took him to the front
door to give him a little air, and he stood
still on the pavement, quite stupefed. For
the first time in his life he snapped at nobody
who went by; and oh, dear, he hadn't even
the heart to smell lamp post!"
Isabel had barely stated this last affecting
circumstance when the memoirs of TOmmie
were suddenly cut short by the voice of Lady
Lydiard-really calling this time-from the
inner room.
'Isabell Isabel" cried her ladyship, "what
are you about.'
Isabel ran to the door of the boudoir and
threw it open. 'Go in, sir Pray go imp
she said
without you" Hardyman asked
81 will follow you, sir | have something
to do for her ladyship first"
She still held the door open, and pointed
entreatingly to the passage which led to the
boudoir Il shall be blamed, sir" she said,
IF you don't go in"
This statement of the case left Hardyman
no alternative. He presented himself to
Lady Lydiard without another moment of
delay
Having closed the drawing room door on
him, Isabel waited little absorbed in her
own thoughts
She was now perfectly we'll aware of the
effect which she had produced on Hardyman.
Her vanity, it is not to be denied, was fiat
tered by his admiration-he was so grand
and so tall, and he had such fine large eyes.
The girl looked prettier than ever as she
stood with her head down and her color
heightened, smiling to herself. A clock on
the chimney piece striking the half hour
reused her. She cast one look at the glass
as she passed it, and went to the table at
which Lady Lydiard had been writing.
Methodical Mr.. Moody, in submitting to be
employed as bath attendant upon Tommie,
had not forgotten the interests of his mis-
tress. He reminded her ladyship that she
had left her letter, with bank note inclosed
in it, unsealed. Absorbed in the dog, Lady
Lydiard answered: Isabel is doing moth
ing let Isabel seal it. Show Mr. Hardyman
in here" she continued, turning to Isabel
land then seal letter of mine which you
will find on the table" "And when you have
sealed it." careful Mr.. Moody added put it
back on the table; l will take charge of it
when her ladyship has done with me"
Such were the special instructions which
She Lit the taper, and closed and sealed the
open envelope, without feeling curiosity
enough even to look at the address. Mr..
Hardylnan was the uppermost subject in her
thoughts. Leaving the sealed letter on the
table she returned to the fireplace and stud
led her own charming face attentively in the
looking glass. The time passed, and Isabeps
re1e ection was still the subject of Isabers con-
HE must see many beautiful
ladies'" she thought veering backward and
forward between pride and humility. Il
wonder what he sees in mes"
The clock struck the hour. Almost at the
same moment the boudoir door opened and
Robert Moody, released at last from attend
ance on Tommie. entered the drawing room.