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

The result of the interview was partially
successful-and no more. Lord Rotherfield
declined to see his youngest son; and he had
engagements which would, under any cir
cumstances, prevent his being present at the
garden party. But, at the express request OF
Lady Rotherfield, he was willing to make
certain concessions
II ha always regarded Alfred as barely
sane person. said his lordship, "since he
turned his back on his prospects to become a
horse dealer. If we decline altogether 10
sanction this new act-I won't saw OF insan-
ity, will say of absurdity-on his part, it is
impossible to predict to what discreditable
extremities he may not proceed We must
temporize with Alfrel In the meantime
shall endeavor to obtain some information
respecting this young person-named Miller,
l think you said. and now resident at South
Morden. If am satisfied that she IS
a woman of reputable character. possess
ing an average education and presentaoie
manners. we may as well let Alfred take his
own way. He is out of the pale of society
as it is; and Miss Miller has no father and
mother to complicate matters which is dis
tinctly merit on her part-and, in short,
if the marriage is not absolutely disgraceful,
the wisest way las we have no power to pre-
vent it) will be to submit. You will say
nothing to Alfred about what l propose 20
do l tell YOU plainly don't trust him. You
will simrly inform him from me that want
time to consider, and that. unless he hears to
he contrary in the interval, he may expect
10 have the sane ion of your presence at MS
breakfast or luncheon, or whatever 1t IS. !
must 90 to town in day or two, and shall
ascertain what Alfreds friends know about
this last of hi, many folIies, if meet any OF
them at the club"
Returning to South Morden in no serene
frame of mind Hardyman found Isabel in
S ate of depression which perplexed and
alarmed him.
The news that his mother might be ex-
pected to lie PRESENT at the garden party
failed to raise her spirits The only explain
alton she gave of the change in her was that
the dull, heavy weather of the last few days
made her feel little languid and nervous
Naturally dissatisfied with this reply to his
inquiries, Hardyman asked for Miss Pink.
He was informed that Miss Pink could not
see him, She was constitutionally subject to
asthma, and having warnings OF return OF
the malady, she was 10y the doctors advice)
keeping her room. Hardyman returned to
the farm in temper which was felt by
everybody in his employment, from the
t! amer to the stableboys.
While the apology made for Miss Pink
.tated no more than the plain truth, it must
he confessed that Hardyman was right in de-
clining to be satisfied with Isabel's excuse for
the melancholy that oppressed her. She had
that morning received Moody's answer to the
lines which she had addressed to him at the
end of her aunt's letter, and she had not yet
recovered from the effect which it had pro-
duced on her spirits.
at is impossible for me to say honestly
that am not distressed Moody wrote) "by
The news of your marriage engagement The
nlow has ia len very heavily on me. When
look at the future now see only dreary
blank This is not your fault; you are in no
way to b ame 1 remember the time when
should have been too angry to own this
when might have said or done things which
l should have bitterly repented afterward.
That time is past My temper has been
.oftened since / have befriended you in your
troubles That good at least has come out
of my foolish hopes, and perhaps also out Of
tn. true sympathy which have felt for you.
/ can honestly ask you to accept my hearts
dearest wishes for your happiness, and l. can
keep the rest to myself.
Let me say word now relating to the
efforts that have made to help you since
that ad day when you left Lady Lydiards
house.
L 1au nOpeu NOf reasons winch IL Is need
.ess to mention here) to interest Mr.. Hardy
man himself in aiding our inquiry. But
your aunt's wishes, as expressed in her letter
to me, close my lips. will only ask you. at
some conven ent time to let me mention the
last discov ries that we have made, leaving
it to your discretion. when Mr.. Hardyman
has become your husband, to ask him the
questions which, under other circumstances,
/ should have put to him myself.
ut is, of course, possible that the view
take of Mr. Hardymans capacity to help us
may be mistaken one. In this case, if you
still wish the investigation to be privately
carried ON, l beg of you to let me continue
to direct it, as the greatest favor you can
confer on vour devoted old friend