White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1923-10-26
(Installment No. 24)
CHAPTER XXX

CHAPTER XXX
The day of the garden-party ar
rived. There was no rain, but the
air was heavy, and the sky was over
cast by lowering clouds.
Some hours before the guests were
expected Isabel arrived alone at the
farm, bearing the apologies of I'M
fortunate Miss Pink, kept a prisoner
in her bedchamber by the asthma. In
he confusion produced at the cot
age by the preparations for enter
aiming the company, the one room
n which Hardyman could receive
sabel with the certainty of not be
Qg interrupted was the smoking
DOM. To this haven of refuge h.
ed her-still reserved and silent
I}irits. IF any visitors come before
e time" Hardyman said to his sci
ant, tell them | am engaged at the
ables-I must have an hours quie,
TX with you" he continued, turnins
> Isabel, cor l shall be in too bad {
3mper to receive my guests witt
5nmon politeness. The worry o
wing this party is not to be told il
ords. I almost wish l had beer.
ontent with presenting you to my
other, and had let the rest of m.
cquaintances go to the devil"
A quiet half hour passed, and the
rst visitor, stranger to the sci
nts, appeared at the cottage gate
was middle-aged man, and h
I'd no wish to disturb Mr.. Hardy
an. II will wait in the grounds,
said, "and trouble nobody" TIL,
ddle-aged man who expressed him
If in these modest terms was Rob
t Moody.
Five minutes later a carriage drov,
) to the gate. An elderly lady go
It of it, followed by a fat whit
Scotch terrier that growled at CIV
y stranger within his reach. 1t is
3edless to introduce Lady LydiarG
ID Tommie.
Informed that Mr.. Hardyman was
the stables, Lady Lydiard gave the
,rvant her card "Take that t.
ur master, and say | won't detail,
i'm five minutes" With these words
-e, ladyship sauntered into the
rounds
Lady Lydiard advanced so as to
.eet Hardyman at the entrance to
lie shrubbery. He bowed stiffly.
nd begged to know why her lady
hip had honored him with visit.
Lady Lydiard replied, without no
icing the GOODNESS of her reception:
Il have not been very we'll, Mr..
Iardyman, or you would have seen
ne before this. My only object. in
presenting myself here is to make my
excuses personally for having written
Of you in terms which expressed a
ioubt of your honor. I have done
ou an injustice, and l beg you to
orgive me-"
Hardyman acknowledged this frank
.lology as unreservedly as it had
cen offered to him. Say no more,
lady Lydiard And let me hope,
low you are here, that you will honor
ny little party with your presence
Lady Lydiard gravely stated hel
reasons for not accepting the invita-
ion.
Il disapprove so strongly of un
lual marriages." she said, Walkin
Il slowly towards the cottage, tina
canot, in common consistency, be
me one of your guests. l shall al
avs feel interested in Isabel Miller,
elfare; and l can honestly say =
1all be glad if your married lii
s'oves that my old-fashioned prejl
ices are without justification in you
.se. Accept my thanks for your il
,tation, and let me hope that NJ
lain speaking has not offended you
She bowed and looked about he
)r Tommie before she advanced
he carriage waiting for her at til
ate. She had forgotten to look bac
u the dog when she entered tn
OAC NOW CdlICu W ulA
nd blew the whistle at her watc
hahn. Not a sign of Tommje was t.
e seen. Hardyman instantly direc
d the servants to search in the cottag,
nd out Of the cottage for the dog
he order was obeyed with all neeG
III activity and intelligence, and ell
rely without success. For the tim,
eng, at any rate, Tommie was losl
Returning from the garden gate
tier taking leave of his visitor
Iardyman received from his servan
handful of letters which had JUS
rived for him. Walking slowly owe
le lawn as he opened them, h
ound nothing but excuses for the Ell
ance of guests who had already az
opted their invitations. He had jus
thrust the letters into his pocket,
when he heard footsteps behind him,
and, looking round, found himself
by Moody.
Halloo! have you come here to
unch?" Hardyman asked, roughly.
Il have come here, sir, with little
gift for Miss Isabel, in honor OF her
Moody answered, quietly
And ask your permission to put II
IN the table, so that she may see II
when your guests sit down to lunch
con-"
He opened a jewelers. case as he
spoke, containing plain gold brace
ct with an inscription engraved on