Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-03-18

a1naZenenr luTn WHICH way lie might, u0
found himself silently confronted by posted
and painted instructions to visitors, which
forbade him TO do this and commanded him
to do that, at every step of his progress from
the gate to the house. Or one side of the
lawn label informed him that he was not
to walk ON the grass On the other SIDE
painted hand pointed along boundary wall
to an inscription which warned him to go
that way if he had business in the kitchen.
On the gravel walk at the foot Of the house
steps words, neatly traced in little white
shells. reminded him not to forget the
scraper" On the door step he was informed,
in letters of lead, that he was ''Welcome!"
On the mat in the passage bristly black
words burst on his attention, commanding
him to ''wipe his shoes" Even the hat stand
in the hall was not allowed to speak for
itself: it had Hats and Cloaks" inscribed on
it, and it issued its directions imperatively in
the matter of your wet umbrella-"Put it
here!"
Giving the trim little servant his card, Mr..
Troy was introduced to a reception room on
the lower floor. Before he had time to look
round him. the door was opened again from
without, and Isabel stole into the room on
tiptoe She looked worn and anxious.
When she shook hands with the old lawyer
the charming smile that he remembered SO
well was gone
Don't say you have seen me" she whis
,ered II am not to come into the room till
my aunt sends for me. Tell me two things
before l run away again. How is Lady
Lydiard? And have you discovered the
thief!"
Lady Lydiard was well when l last saw
her. and we have not yet succeeded in dis
covering the thief" Having answered the
questions in those terms Mr.. Troy decided
on questioning Isabel on the subject of the
steward while he had the chance. 'One
question on my side" he said. holding her
back from the door by the arm 'Do you
expect Moody to visit you here!"
II am sure he will visit me-" Isabel an
swered, warmly ''He has promised to come
here, at my request. l never knew what a
kind heart Robert Moody had till this mis-
fortune fell on me- My aunt, who is not
easily taken with strangers, respects and adj
mires him. can't tell you how good he was
to me on the Journey here, and how kindly,
how nobly. he spoke to me when we parted"
She paused, and turned her head away. The
tears were rising in her eyes. I'm my stu
ationn she said, family, kindness is very
keenly felt Don't notice me, Mr.. Troy"
The LAWYER waited moment to let her re-
cover herself.
Il agree entirely, my dear, in your opinion
of Moody" he said. AT the same time, L
think it right to warn you that his zeal in
your service may possibly outrun his dis
cretion. He may feel too confidently about
penetrating the mystery OF the missing
money and. unless you are ON your guard,
he may raise false hopes in you when you
next see him. Listen to any advice that he
NAV give you, by all means; but before you
decide on being guided by his opinion, consult
my older experience and hear what / have
to say on the subject Don't suppose that l
am attempting to make you distrust this
good friend" he added, noticing the look of
uneasy surprise which Isabel fixed on him.
mo such idea is in my mind. l only warn
YOU that Moody's eagerness to be of service
to you may mislead him. You understand
me.'
Eyes, SIR" replied Isabel coldly; 81 under
stand you. Please let me go now. My aunt
will be down directly, and she must not find
me here She courtesied with distant
respect and left the room
80 much for trying to put two ideas to-
gether into girls mind" thought Mr..
Troy when he was alone again "The little
fool evidently thinks l am jealous of Moody's
place in her estimation Well, l have done
my duty. and can do no more
He looked round the room. Not chair
was out of its place, not speck OF dust was
to be seen. The brightly perfect polish of
the table made your eyes ache; the ornaments
on it looked as if they had never been touched
by mortal hand; the piano was an object for
distant admiration, not an instrument to be
played on; the carpet made Mr.. Troy look
nervousy at the soles of his shoes; and the
sofa protected by layers of white crochet
work. said as plainly as if in words, ''Sit on
me if you dareI" Mr.. Troy retreated to
bookcase at the farther end OF the room.
The books fitted the shelves to such absolute
perfection that he had some difficulty in TAX
ing one of them out. When he had succeeded,
he found himself in possession CT volume of
the ''History of England" On the fy-leaf
he encountered another written warning:
sThis book belongs to Miss Pinlz's Academy
for Young Ladies' and is not to be removed
from the library" The date, which was
added. referred to period of ten years since.
Miss Pink now stood revealed as a retired
schoolmistress: and Mr.. Troy began to under
stand some of the characteristic peculiarities
of that lady's establishment which had puz-
zied him up to the present time.
He had just succeeded in putting the book
back again when the door opened once more,
and Isabel's aunt entered the room
If Miss Pink could, by any possible con.
juncture of circumstances, lave disappeared
mysteriously from her house and her friends.
the police would have found the great
est difficulty in composing the neces
sary description of the missing lady.
The acutest observer could have dis
covered nothing that was noticeable
or characteristic in her personal appearance.
The pen Of the present writer portrays her in
despair by series of negatives She was
not young, she was not old; she was neither
tall nor short, nor stout nor thin; nobody
could call her features attractive, and nobody
could call them ugly; there was nothing in
her voice. her expression, her manner or her
dress that differed in any appreciable degree
from the voice, expression, manner and dress
of five hundred thousand other single ladies
of her age and position in the world. If you
had asked her to describe herself, she would
have answered, II am gentlewoman; and
if you had inquired which of her numerous
accomplishments took highest rank in her
own esteem, she would have replied, MY
powers of conversation For the rest, she
was Miss Pink of South Morden: and when
that has been said. all has been said.
''Pray be seated, sir. We have had
beautiful day after the late long-continued
wet weather. I am told that the season is
very unfavorable for wall fruit May | offer
YOU some refreshment after your journey"
In these terms. and in the smoothest OF
voices, Miss Pink opened the interview.
Mr.. Troy made polite reply, and added a
few strictly conventional remarks on the
beauty of the neighborhood. Not even a
lawyer could sit in Miss Pink's presence and
hear Miss Pinks conversation without feel