The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-02-25
CHAPTER xI.

upDIf hlhh iliiht l'NlNHNl Wy wv
had Just time TO say, "What a very ill-be-
hayed dogl'' when sound OF small objects
oyerthrown In the hail. and u seurylng Of
furious claws across the oil cloth, announced
that lommie had invaded the house, As
the servant appeared, introducing Lady
Lydiard, the dog ran in He made one fran
tic leap at Isabel, which would certainly
have knocked her down but for the chair
that happened 10 be standing behind her,
Received on her lap, the faithful creature
half mothered her with his caresses He
barked, he ahrleled, In his Joy at seeing her
again. He jumped Off her lap and tore
round and round the room at the top OF his
speed, and every time he passed Miss Pink he
showed the whole range OF his teeth and
marled ferocloualy at her ankles, Having
al last exhausted his mperhuous energy, he
leaped back again on lsabela lap, with his
tongue quiverlng Ia his open mouth, his
tail wagging softly, and his eye on Miss
Pink, inquiring how she liked dog In her
drawing room,
~ hope my dog has not disturbed you,
ma'amf said Lady Lydiard, advancing from
the mat at the doorway on which she had
patiently waited until the rapturea OF Tom.
mie sub ided into repose
Mia. Pink, rGmbllnG with tarrer aO
indignation, acknowledged Lady Lydiard'a
polite inquiry by ceremonlous bow, and an
answer which administered by implication
dgniAed reproof, "Your ladyahip's dog
does not appear to be very well trained
animal, the ex-schoolmistress remarked,
"Well trainedP Lady LydIard repeated,
az II the expression were perfectly unintol-
liglble 10 heri ~ don't think you have had
much experience Of dogs, ma'am.' She
turned 10 Isabel, and embraced her tonderly
"Giye me a kiss my dear You don't know
how wretched | have been since you left
me- She looked back again at Miss Pink
"You are not perhaps, aware, ma'am, that
my dog Is deyotedly attached 70 your niece,
A dogs love has been considered by many
great mon (whoso names az tho moment
escape mc) as the most touching and disin-
tere5tod OF all earthly ailoctons.' shO
looked the other way, and discovered tho
lawyer How do you do, Mr. Troyl It's a
pleasant surprise 20 find you here Tho
hou was 30 duh without Isabel that really
couldn't put OIL seeing her any longer
Whom you arc more used 10 Tommlo, Mim
Pink, you win understand aud admire him
You understand and admire him. Isabel,
don't youl My chIld you are not looking
well. shall take you back with me whom
tho horses have had their rest We shall
mover bo happy away from each oihern
Having expressed her sentiments, dlstrib.
uted her greetings, and defended her dog
all, as II were, In ono breath-Lady Lydlard
sat down by lsabclS side, aud opened u large
green fan that hung At her glrdle "You
have no idea, Miss Pink, how fat people
suffer In hot weather. aid tho old lady,
udng her fan vigorously,
Miss PinlIS eyes dropped modostly 10 tho
ground-"faln was such coarse word 10 use,
II u lady must speak Of her mpcrnuouS iloshl
'May | Offer some rofrcshmontf Miss
Pink asked, mincingly ~ cup OF tear
Lady Lydiard shook hor head
"A glass OF waterf
Lady Lydiard declined this last h0spltablo
! proposal with an exclamation OF disgust
''Have you got any bceri' she inquired
~ beg your ladyshipN pardon said Miss
Pink, doubling the evidence Of her own cars,
/ "Did you say-bccrin
Lady Lydiard gosticulatcd vehmently with
hor fan. "Yo', 10 bc surel Beerl beor"
Miss Pink rose with countenanco express
sive Of gontoc disgust, and rang tho boil,
~ think you have beer downstairs, SusanT
Shc said when the maid appeared at tho door
eyes, mi~.n
"a glass OF boor for Lady Lydlard," !" said
Miss Pink, undor protest
Bring II In n Jug shouted hcr ladyship,
~ the maid left the room. ~ like 20 froth 10
M for myself she continued addressing
MlU Pink, Isabel sometimes does II for me,
when she Is Mt home; don't you, my doarT
Miss Pink had been waiting her opportu-
nifty 10 assert her own claim 10 the possession
OF her own niece from the time when Lady
Lydlard had coolly declared her intention Of
taking Isabel back with her The opportu-
nifty now presented itsolf
"Your ladyshlp will pardon men she sald,
M | remark that my nlcco's home Is undcr
my humble roof. am properly sensible, !
hope, Of your kindness 10 Isabel; but while
she remains tho object Of disgraceiul Nis.
piclon, sho remains with me"
Lady Lydiard closcl her fan with nm angry
snap
"You arc completely mistaken, Miss Pink
You may not moan II but you speak most
uniustly II You say that your niece Is an OBJ
joct OF suspicion 10 mo or b, anybody In my
house
Mr., Troy, quietly listening up 10 this point,
now intorpos,l 10 stop tho discussion before
II could degenerate into quarrel His keen
observation, aided by his accurate knowl-
odgo OF his clients character, had plainly re-
vcnlod TO him what was passing In Lady
Lydinrls mind She had entered the house,
feeling tpcrhaps unconsclously) jealousy CT
/ Miss Pink ~ her predecessor In lsabe's alfcc-
! tons, and M the natural protoctress of tho
girl under existing circumstances Mis-
Plnk's reception Of her dog had additionally
, irritatcd the old lady. She had takon mali
clous pleasure In shocking tho school mis-
trcss' sense Of proprlety and she was now
only too ready 10 proceed 10 further OK.
tromltics on tho delicate question OF Isabcrs
/ Justification for leaving her house For
Iabel'a own sake, thercforo-to say nothing
Of othor rcasons-it was urgently desirable
30 keep the peace between the two ladloS.
With this excellent object In view, Mr.. Troy
solzcd hh opportunity OF striking into the
conversation for tho first time
"Pordon mo- Lady Lydiard,n he said,
''you are speaking OF n subject which has
been already sufficiently discussed between
Miss Pink aud myself. think wo shall do
bottsr not 10 dwell uselesly on mist cvonts,
but 10 diroct our attention 10 tho future.
We are oil equally satisfied Of the complete
rctitudc Of Miss Isabo's conduct, and we
rro all equally Interested in tho vindication
OF hor good namc,n
Whether those temperate words would OF
themselves havo exercised tho pacifying In.
ilucnco at which Mr.. Troy aimod may be
doubtful But, as ho coasod speaking, q
powerful auxiliary appeared In the shape oi
the boor. Lady LydIard seized on the jug
and Allied tho tumblor for herself with ar
unsteady hand. Miss Pink, trembling foI
tho integrity Of her carpet, and scondolizot
at soeing n peoross drinking bocr like wash
srwoman, forgot the sharp answer that wal
lust rising TO her lips whom tho lawyer inter
fercd. "Smallr' said Lady Lydinrd, setting