White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1923-07-20
By Wilkie Collins

SpOnSlDlllty ana lOlu inc WnOle lTuIu.
Keeling under the first shock, the
poor girl recovered herself with ad-
mirabe courage She raised her head
and eyed the lawyer without uttering
word. In it's artless consciousness
of innocence the look was nothing
less than sublime. Addressing herself
to Mr. Troy, Lady Lydiard pointed
to Isabel. "Do you see guilt there?"
she asked
Mr.. Troy made no answer. In the
melancholy experience Of humanity to
which his profession condemned him,
he had seen conscious guilt assume
the face of innocence, and helpless
innocence admit the disguise of guilt;
the keenest observation In either case
failing completely to detect the truth
Lady Lydiard misinterpreted his sill
ence as expressing the sullen self as
sertlon of heartless man. She turned
from him in contempt, and held out
her hand to Isabel
Mr. Troy is not satisfied yet" she
said, bitterly. "My love, take my hand,
and look me in the face as your
equal; know no difference of rank at
such time at this. Before God, who
hears you, are you innocent of the
theft Of the bank note?"
Before God, who hears me-" Isabel
answered, 81 am innocent.
Lady Lydiard looked once more at
the lawyer, and waited to hear If he
believed that
Mr.. Troy took refuge in dumb d.
plomacy-he made low bow. It
might have meant that he believed Is
abel, or it might have meant that he
modestly withdrew his own opinion
into the background Lady Lydiard did
not condescend to inquire what 1t
meant.
"The sooner we bring this painful
scene to an end the better" she said
II shall be glad to avail myself Of
your professional assistance, Mr..
Troy, within certain limits. Outside of
my house, l beg that you will spare
no trouble in tracing the lost money
to the person who has really stolen
it. Inside of my house, / must posi-
lively request that the disappearance
of the note may never be alluded to,
in any way whatever, until your in.
quiries have been successful In dis
covering the thief. In the meanwhile
Mrs. Tollmidge and her family must
not be sufferers by my loss; / shall
pay the money again." She paused,
and pressed Isabels hand with affec-
tionate fervor "My child" she said,
"one last word to you, and l have
done. You remain here, with my trust
in you and my love for you absolutely
mistaken You are dearer to me than
ever. Never forget that"
Isabel bent her head, and kissed the
kind hand that still held hers. The
high spirit that was in her, inspired
by Lady Lydiard's example, rose
equal to the dreadful situation in
which she was placed
mo, my lady" she said, calmly and
sadly, ut can not be. What this gen.
tleman has said of me is not to be
denied-the appearances are against
me. The letter was open, and was
alone in the room with II, and Mr..
Moody told me that valuable in
closure was inside it. Dear and kind
mistress, | am not fit to be men,
Der of your household, I am not
worthy to live with the honest people
who serve you, while my innocence
is in doubt. 1t is enough for me now
that you don't doubt 1t. can wait pa
tiently, after that, for the day that
gives me back my good name. oh,
my lady, don't cry about It! Pray,
pray, don't cry!"
Lady Lydiards self control failed
her." she said, simply "Is there any
age had made Isabel dearer to her
than ever She sunk into a chair. and
covered her face with her handker.
chief Mr. Troy turned aside abruptly,
and examined Japanese vase, with
out any idea in his mind Of what he
was looking at. Lady Lydiard had
gravely misjudged him In believing
him to be a heartless man.
Isabel followed the lawyer, and
touched him gently on the arm to
rouse his attention.
II have one relation living, sir-an
aunt--who will receive me If I go to
her." she said, simply ISL there any
harm in my going? Lady Lydiard
will give you the address when you
want me. Spare her ladyship, sir, all
the pain and trouble that you can"
At last the heart that was in Mr..
Troy asserted itself. "You are fine
creature!" he said, with burst of en-
thusiasm. II agree with Lady Lydiard,
believe you are innocent, too; and
will leave no effort untried to find
the proof of it." He turned aside again
and had another look at the Japanese
vase
AS the lawyer withdrew himself
from observation, Moody approached
Isabel.
(To Be Continued)
Soma cruhs still fhfnk-