White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1923-08-24
MY LADY'S MONEY
An Episode in the Life
of Young Girl
By Wilkie Collins

INSTALLMENT NO. Is.

bow on the palm of her right hand,
and lightly supported her cheek with
her forefinger and thumb In this
position she waited Mr.. Troy's an
swer-the living picture of human OBJ
stinacy in it's most respectable form
II Mr.. Troy had not been lawyer
in other words, if he had not been
professionally capable of persisting in
his own course in the face of every
conceivable difficulty and discourage
ment-Miss Pink might have re.
manned in undisturbed possession of
her own opinions. AS it was, Mr..
Troy had got his hearing at last; and
no matter how obstinately she might
close her eyes to it, Miss Pink was
now destined to have the other side
of the case presented to her view.
IL am sincerely obliged to you,
madam, for the expression of your
confidence in me-" Mr.. Troy began;
"at the same time, / must beg you
to excuse me if l decline to accept
your proposal"
Miss Pink had not expected to re-
ceive such an answer as this The
lawyers brief refusal surprised and
annoyed her.
why do you decline to assist me?"
she asked.
Because" answered Mr. Troy, my
services are already engaged in Miss
rsabel's interest by client whom
have served for more than twenty
years. My client is"
Miss Pink anticipated the coming
disclosure. you need not trouble
yourself, sir, to mention your client's
name" she said.
my client" persisted Mr.. Troy
"loves Miss Isabel dearly"
THAT is a matter Of opinion" Miss
Pink interposed
And believes in Miss Isabel's in
Rocence," proceeded the irrepressible
lawyer, "as firmly as you believe in
II yourself"
Miss Pink (being humanD had q
temper. and Mr. Troy had found his
way to it.
IF Lady Lydiard believes in my
niece's innocence" said Miss Pink
suddenly sitting bolt-upright in he,
chair. why has my niece been com
PEELED. in justice to herself, to leave
Lady Lydiard's house?"
"You will admit, madam" Mr. Tro,
answered cautiously. that we are al
OF us liable, in this wicked world, tt
be the victim Of appearances You
niece is q victim-an innocent vic
tim. She wisely withdraws from Lady
Lydiards house until appearances
are proved to be false, and her posi-
ton is cleared up"
Miss Pink had her reply ready
THAT is simply acknowledging, ii
other words that my niece is sus
pected I am only woman, Mr.. Troy
but 1t Is not quite SO easy to misleat
me as you seem to suppose"
Mr.. Troys temper was admirabl,
trained, but 1t began to acknowledge
that Miss Pink's powers of irritation
could sting to some purpose.
mo intention of misleading you
madam, has ever crossed my mind,
he rejoined, warmly "As for you
niece. can tell you this In all m.
experience Of Lady Lydiard l neve,
saw her SO distressed as she wal
when Miss Isabel left the house.
"Indeed?" said Miss Pink, with al
incredulous smile. I'm my rank o
life. when we feel distressed about /;
person, we do our best to comfor
that person by kind letter or al
early visit But then am not a lad,
Of title"
Lady Lydiard engaged herself t.
call on Miss Isabel In my hearing
said Mr.. Troy. Lady Lydiard is the
most generous woman living"
Lady Lydiard is here!" cried {
joyful voice on the other side of thu
door.
At the same moment Isabel burs
into the room in a state of excite
ment which actually ignored the
formidable presence Of Miss Pink. 4"
beg your pardon, aunt. l was upstair.
at the window, and l saw the car
riage stop at the gate And Tommit
has come, too! The darling saw me a
the window" cried the poor girl, hel
eyes sparkling with delight, as per
feet explosion Of barking made itself
heard over the tramp of horses feet
side.
Miss Pink rose slowly, with a dig
nifty that looked capable of adequate
~ receiving, not one noble lady only
but the whole peerage of England
Control yourself, dear Isabel" she
said. mo well-bred young lady per
nits herself to become unduly ex
cited. Stand by my side-a little be
hind me-"
Isabel obeyed. Mr. Troy kept his
place and privately enjoyed his tri
umph over Miss Pink If Lady Lyd
lard had been actually in league with
him, she could not have chosen q
more opportune time for her visit A
y,aop1 onforv ipforyoI poccod. tho cor