Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-04-15


noble in the men who love thenl?' she wondered,
sadly Better it is" she thought, with bitter
sigh; Il non worthy of him"
As she took up the pencil to write her answer 10
Moody the back of her dinner card, the servant
appeared again at the door of the tent.
MY master wants you at the cottage miss imme
diately."
Isabel rose putting the bracelet and the note in the
silver mounted leather pocketbook IA present from
Hardyman) which hung at her belt. In the hurry of
passing round the table to get out she never noticed
that her dress touched Hardyman's pocketbook,
placed closed to the edge, and threw 1t down on the
grass below. The book fell into of the heat
cracks which Lady Lydard had noticed as evidence
of the neglected condition of the cottage lawn
"You ought to hear the pleasant news my sister
has just brought me-" said HArdyman, when Isabel
joined him in the parlor Mrs Drumblade has been
told, on the best authority, that my mother is not
coming to the party
There must be some Of course dear Isabel
added Mrs. Drumblade Have Won any idea of what
il can be? haven't seen my mother myself, and all
my inquiries have failed to find it out"
She looked searchngly al Isabel as she spoke The
mask of sympathy on her face was admirably worn
Nobody who possessed only a superficial acquaint
ance with Mrs. Drllmblade's character would have
suspected how thoroughly she was enjoying in secret
the position of embarrassment in which her news
had placed her brother. mstinctively doubling
whether Mrs Dr,lmblades friendly behavior was
quite sincere it appeared to be- Isabel answered
that she was a stranger to Lady Rotherfeld, and
therefore quite loss to explain the of her
ladyshp's absence. As she spoke, the guests began
TO arrive in quick succession and the subject was
dropped, matter of course.
1t was not a merry party. Hardymans approach
ing marriage had been made the topic of much mali
cous gossip and Isabels character had usual in
such become the object of all the false reports
that scandal could invent. Lady Rotherfield's alb
confirmed the general. conviction that Hardy.
man was dsgracing himself. The men all more
or less uneasy. The women resented the discovery
that Isabel was personally speaking at least beyond
the reach Of hostile criticism Her beauty viewed
as a downright onense her refined and modest man.
ners set down perfect acting-"Really dis
gushing my dear in so young girl" Gen. Drum
bade-a large and moldy veteran, in state of
chronic establishment after his own matrimonial ex.
perenceJ at Hardyman's folly in marrying at all
diffused a wide circle of gloom wherever he went
and whatever he did His accomplished wife, forcing
her high spirits everybodys attention with sort
of kttensl playfulness, intensified the depressing
effect of the general duness by all the force of the
strongest contrast. After waiting half hour for
his mother. and waiting in vain, Harlyman led the
way the tent in despair. THE sooner fill their
stomachs and get rid of Them he thought, savagey,
THE better shall be pleased
The luncheon was attacked nv the company with
certain silent ferocity. which the walters noticed
remarkable, even in their large experience. The
drank deeply, but with wonderfully little effect
in raising their spirits; the women, with the excep
tion of amable Mrs Drumbade Kept Isabel deber-
ately out of the conversation that went among
them. Gen. Drumblade, sitting next to her in one of
the places of honor discoused to Isabel privately
my brotherin-law Hardymans Internal temper"
A young marquis, on her other side-a mere lad,
chosen To make the necessary speech in acknowledge
ment OF his superior rank-rose in state of nervous
trepidation propose Isabels health the chosen
bride of their host Pale and trembling, conscious OF
having forgotten the words which he had learned be
forehand this unhappy young nobleman began:
ladies and gentlemen, haven't AN idea" He
stopped put his hand 10 MS head stared Wildly anu
sat down again having contrved To state his
with mastery brevty and perfect truth in
speech of seven words
While the dsmay in some and the amuse
ment in others still at its height, Hardyman's
valet made his appearance and approaching his
ter said, In whisper: Gould speak 10 you sir. for
a moment outsider
''Nhat the devil do YOU want?' Hardyman asked,
irritably ''ls that letter in your hands Give it
To me"
The valet was Frenchman. In other words he
had a sense of what due TO himself. His master
had forgotten this. He gave up the letter with a
certain dignity of manner and left the tent. Hardy
opened the letter He turned pale as he read it,
crumped il in his hand and threw il down the
table by Cd, it's lie," he exclaimed furiously.
The quests rose in confusion. Mrs. DrIImblade,
finding the letter within her reach, cooy possessed
herself of it, recognized her mothers handwriting,
and read these lines:
II have only succeeded in persuading your
father to let write to you. For Gods sake break
OFF your marriage at any sacrifice Your father has
heard, on unanswerabe authority, that Miss Isabel
Miller left her situation in Lady Lydiard's house
suspicion of theft"
While his sister was reading this letter Hardyman
had made his way to Isabel's chair 81 must speak
you directly he whispered. "Come away with me-"
He turned as he took her arm, and looked at the
table. Where is my letter." he asked. Mrs. Drum
blade handed it To him dextrously crumpled up
again as she had found il.
mo bad news, dear Alfred, 1 hope?' she said in
her most affectionate manner. Hardyman snatched
the letter from her, without answering, and led
isabel out of the tent.
Read that he said, when they were alone;
"and tel me at once whether it's true false"
Isabel read the letter. For moment the shock OF
the discovery held her speechiess. She recovered
herself, and returned the letter.
1T is true she answered.
Hardyman staggered back as If she had shot him.
"Grue that you Dire guiltyP' he asked.
"No; am innocent. Everybody who knows me be
lieves in my innocence 1t is true that the appear.
ances were against me. They against me still"
Having said this she waited quietly and firmly for
his next words.
He passed his hand over his forehead with sieh o
relief. "Is's bad enough as It he said. speaking
quietly his side But the remedy for it is plain
enough. Come back TO the tent"
She never moved why" she asked
do you suppose don't believe in your innocence,
too?' he answered. The one way of setting you
right is for to make you my wife. in spite OF
the appearances that point to you. I'm too fond OF
YOU Isabel to give you up. Come back with me, and
will announce marriage to my friends"
She took his hand and kissed it. 1T is generous
and good of you" she said; but it must not be-
He took step nearer TO her. what do you meanF
he asked.
1T was against my WILL" she pursued, that my
aunt concealed the truth from you. | did wrong tc
consent to it; will do wrong no more Your mother
fit to be your wife until my innocence is proved II
is not proved yet"
The angry color began to rise in his face once more
"Take care' he said; 81 am not in humor to bt
trified with
Il am not trifing with you," she answered, in low
sad tones.
You really mean what you sayT'
II mean it
'.Dont be obstinate, Isabel. Take time to con
slider"
you are very kind. Alfred. Ny duty is plain tt
yhAnl
good name is restored to me-not before"
He laid one hand on her arm, and pointed with the
other to the guests in the distance all leaving the
tent on their way to their carriages.
"Your good name will be restored to you ne said
"on the day when make you my wife. The worst
enemy you have cannot associate my name with
q suspicion of theft. Remember that and think
little before you decide. You those people there
If you don't change your mind by the time they have
got to the cottage, it's good-by between us and
goodby forever. refuse to wait for you; refuse tc
accept conditional engagement. Wait, and tnlnR
They're walking slowly; you have got some minutes
more"
He still held her arm watching the guests as they
gradually receded from view 1t was not until they
had all collected in group outside the cottage ,oo
that he spoke himself that he permitted Isabel &c
speak again
snow" he said you have had your time To get
cool. viii you take my arm and join those people
with me, or will you say good-by foreverF
Forgive me, Alfred she began gently. Il cannon
consent in justice to you. shelter myself behind
your name III Is the name OF your laiiiiis anu ey
have right to expect that you will not degrade IT.
Il want plain answer" ne interposed sternly
(which is it? Yes nor
She looked at him with sad compassionate eyes
Her voice firm she answered him in the one
word that he desired. The word was-"Nor'
Without speaking to her. without even looking al
her he turned and walked back TO the cottage.
Making his way silently through the group OF Wis
itors-every of whom had been Informed OF
what had happened by his sister-wth his head down
and his lips fast closed, he entered the paror and
rang the bell which communicated with his foreiaans
at the stables.
"You know that am going abroad on busnessf he