Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-02-12

spoke together little while since didn't
mean it." She gave him her hand and looked
timidly over her shoulder at Lady Lydiard
LET me go!" she said, in low, broken tones.
'let me gol"
Mr.. Troy heard her, and stepped forward
to interfere before Lady Lydiard could speak
The man had recovered his self-control; the
lawyer took his place again on the scene
You must not leave u.s. my dear" he said
to Isabel, until have put question to Mr.
Moody in which you are interested Do you
happen to have the number of the lost bank
note?" he asked, turning to the steward
Moody produced his slip of paper with the
number on it. Mr.. Troy made two copies Of
it before he returned the paper One copy
he put in his pocket, the other he handed ia
Isabel.
Keep it carefully he said: IN Aither you
nor I know how soon it may be of use TO
you"
Receiving the copy from him, she felt me-
chemically in her apron for her pocket book
She had used it in playing with the dog, as an
object to hide from him; but she had suf-
fered, and was still suffering, too keenly to be
capable of the effort of remembrance Moody,
eager to help her even in the most trifing
thing, guessed what had happened. "You
were playing with Tommie,' he said; 'is it
in the next room!
The dog heard his name pronounced
through the open door. The next moment he
trotted into the drawing room with 1sabeFs
pocketbook in his mouth. He was strong,
well-grown Scotch terrier of the largest
size, with bright, intelligent eyes, and a coat
of thick, curling white hair, diversified by
two light brown patches on his back. As he
reached the middle of the room and looked
from To nf fho
the fine sympathy of his race told him that
there was trouble among his human friends.
His tail dropped; he whined softly as he APP
preached Isabel and laid her pocketbook at
her feet.
She knelt as she picked up the pocketbook,
and raised her playfellow Of happier days to
take her leave of him As the dog put his
paws on her shoulder, returning her caress,
her first tears fell Foolish of me- she
said family, ito cry over a dog l can't
help it. Good-by, Tommiel'
Putting him away from her gently, she
walked toward the door, The dog Instantly
followed She put him away from her for
the second time, and left him He was not
to tie denied; he followed her again and
took the skirt of her dress in his teeth, as
if to hold her back. Robert forced the dog,
growing and resisting with all his might, to
let go of the dress Don't be rough with
him." said Isabel. "Put him on her lady
ships lap; he will be quieter there" Robert
obeyed. He whispered to Lady Lydiard as
she received the dog; she seemed to be still
incapable of speaking-she bowed her head
in silent assent Robert hurried back to
Isabel before she had passed the door. Not
alone!" he said entreatingly. ''Her ladyship
permits it, Isabel. Let me see you safe to
your aunt's house"
Isabel looked at him, felt for him, and
yielded.
YES" she answered, softly; ito make
amends for what said to you when was
thoughtless and happy" She waited little
to compose herself before she spoke her few
farewell words to Lady Lydfard "Good-
by, my lady Your kindness has not been
thrown away on an ungrateful girl. I love
ysu, and thank you, with all my heart"
Lady Lydiard rose, placing the dog on the
chair as she left it. She seemed to have
grown older by years, instead of by minutes,
in the short interval that had passed since
she had hidden her face from view.
Il can't bear itr she cried, in husky,
broken tones Isabel! Isabel! I forbid you
to leave me!'
But one person present could venture to re-
sst her. That person was Mr.. Troy-and
Mr.. Troy knew it.
Control yourself" he said to her, in
whisper. 1.-THE girl is doing what is best and
most becoming in her position, and is doing
it with patience and courage wonder
full to see She places herself under
the protection Of her nearest relative until
her character is indicated and her pc
sition in your house is once more be-
yond doubt. Is this a time to throw OBJ
stacles in her waya Be worthy Of yourself,
Lady Lydiard, and think Of the day when
she will return to you without the breath of
suspicion to rest on her."
There was no disputing with him-he was
too plainly in the right. Lady Lydiard sub
mitted; she concealed the torture that her
own resolution inflicted on her with an
endurance which was indeed worthy of her.
self. Taking Isabel in her arms, she kissed
her, in passion of sorrow and love. my
poor dear! My own sweet girl! don't sup
pose that this is a parting kiss I shall see
you again-often and often shall see you
again at your aunt's." At a sign from Mr..
Troy, Robert took Isabel's arm in his and
led her away. Tommie, watching her from
his chair, lifted his little white muzzle as his
playfellow looked back on passing the door
way The long, melancholy farewell howl
of the dog was the last sound Isabel Miller
heard as she left the house.