Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-02-05

The gravity of the great horse breeder de-
serted him at her first question He smiled
as he acknowledged that he was g Mr. Hardy
man." he smiled as he offered her chair
"No, thank you sir" she said, with a
quantity pretty inclination of her head. ct
am only sent here to make her ladyship's
apologies She has put the poor dear dog
into warm bath, and she can't leave him.
And Mr.. Moody can't come instead of me. be-
cause was too frightened to be of any use,
and so he had to hold the dog. That's all.
We are very anxious, sir, to know if the
warm bath is the right thing. Please come
into the room and tell u.s.
She led the way back to the door Hardy
man, naturally enough, was slow to follow
her. When man is fascinated by the charm
of youth and beauty he is in no hurry to
transfer his attention to sick animal in a
bath. Hardyman seized on the first excuse
that he could devise for keeping Isabel to
himself-that is to say, for keeping her in the
drawing room.
Il think l shall be better able to help you,"
he said, if you will tell me something about
the dog first. !"
Even his accent in speaking had altered to
certain degree. The quiet, dreary mono
tone in which he habitually spoke quickened
a little under his present excitement. As for
Isabel, she was too deeply interested in Tom
mics welfare to suspect that she was being
made the victim of a stratagem. She left the
door and returned to Hardyman with eager
eyes "What can I tell you sir ~ she asked,
innocently.
Hardyman pressed his advantage without
mercy
You can tell me what sort of dog he isg'
eyes, sir"
elbow old he is?'
Eyes, sir"
"What his name is?-what his temper is?-
what his illness is?-what disease his father
and mother?-what-"
Isabers head began to turn giddy. "One
thing at time, sir!' she interposed, with a
gesture of entreaty. "His name is Tommie.
We are obliged to call him by it, because he
won't answer to any other than the name he
had when my lady bought him But we
spell it with an i e at the end, which makes
it less vulgar than Tommy with " am
very sorry, sir l forget what else you want
ed to know. Please to come in here, and my
lady will tell you everything"
She tried to get back to the door Of the
boudoir Hardyman, feasting his eyes on the
pretty, changeful face that looked up at him
with such innocent confidence in his author
ity, drew her away again from the door by
the one means at his disposal He returned
to his questions about Tommie
Swat little, please What sort of dog
is hep
Isabel turned back again from the door,
To describe Tommie was a labor of love.
He is the most beautiful dog in the world!'
the girl began, with kindling eye. HE has
the most exquisite white curly hair and two
light brown patches on his back, and, oh!
such lovely dark eyes! They call him a
Scotch terrier. When he is well his appetite
is truly Notwithstanding comes amiss to
him, sir, from pate de foie gras to potatoes.
He has his enemies, poor dear, though You
wouldn't think it, People who won't put up
with being bitten by him what hooking
tempers one does meet with, to be surely call
him a mongrel Isn't it shame? Please
come in and see him, sir; my lady will oe
tired of waiting"
Another journey to the door followed those
words, checked Instantly by serious objec-
ton.
ssStop minutel You must tell me what
his temper is, or 1 can do nothing for him"
Isabel returned once more, feeling that it
was really serious this time Her gravity
was even more charming than her gayety
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 in his arms and kiss
ing her
"Tommie has the temper of an angel with
the people he likes" she said, ''When he
bites, it geneNally means that he objects to
strangers. He loves my lady, and he loves
Mr. Moody and he loves me, and-and I
think that's all This way, sir, if you please;
l am sure heard my lady call"
"No," said Hardyman, in his immovably
obstinate way. "Nobedy called About thii
tog's temper ? Doesn't he take to any
strangers? What sort of people does he bite
in general?"
Isabels pretty lips began to curl upward at
the corners in quiet smile. Hardyman's
last imbecile question had opened her eyes TO
the true state OF the case. Still, Tomnies
future was in this strange gentleman's hands
she felt bound to consider that And, more
over, it was no every day event in Isshels ex-
pelience to fascinate famous pelsonage
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 Tommie.
u must own, sir" she resumed. sthat he
: HAYES a little Nngratefuly-even to stran-
gers who take an interest in him, When he
gets lost In the streets (which is very often.
he sits down on the pavement and bowls till
he collects plying crowd round him; and
when they Try to read his name and address
on his collar he snaps at them. The servants
sanA'allv find him and bring him back. and