The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1923-07-20

Moody through the parted curtains
His face warned her instantly tina
something serious had happened Sh
advanced a few steps, her eyes rest
ing on him in silent alarm. He wa.
himself too painfully agitated to speak
Not a word was exchanged between
Lady Lydiard and Mr.. Troy in the
next room. In the complete stiffness
that prevailed the dog was heard
shifting and fidgeting about the furni
ture. Robert took Isabel by the hand
and led her into th% drawing room
For Gods sake, spare her, my .lady!''
he whispered. The lawyer heard him.
/ NO." said Mr. Troy BE merciful,
and tell her the truth"
He spoke to woman who stood in
no need of his advice. The inherent
nobility in Lady Lydiard's nature was
reused; her great heart offered itself
patiently to any sorrow, to any sacri-
flee
Putting her arm round Isabel-half
caressing her, half supporting her
Lady Lydiard accepted the whole re-
sponsibility and told the whole truth.
Keeling under the first shock, the
poor girl recovered herself with adj
mirable courage. She raised her head
and eyed the lawyer without uttering
word. In its 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
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
snce as expressing the sullen self as
sertion of heartless man. She turned
from him in contempt, and held out
her hand to Isabel
MIR. Troy is not satisfied yet" she
said, bitterly. My love, take my hand,
and look me in the face as your
equal; I know no difference of rank at |
such time at this. Before God, who
lears you, are you innocent of the |
heft of the bank note?"
Before God, who hears me-" Isabel
Il am innocent.
Lady Lydiard looked once more at
he lawyer, and waited to hear if he
elieved that.
Mr.. Troy took refuge in dumb di-
made low bow. 1t
hight have meant that he believed Is
bel, or it might have meant that he
1odestly withdrew his own opinion
Ito the background Lady Lydiard did
OF condescend to inquire what it
leant.
1.-THE sooner we bring this painful
Gene to an end the better" she said.
shall be glad to avail myself of
our professional assistance, Mr..
roy, within certain limits. Outside of
~ house, I beg that you will spare
o trouble in tracing the lost money |
, the person who has really stolen
!. Inside of my house, 1 must posi-
vely request that the disappearance
the note may never be alluded to,
/ any way whatever, until your in '
uiries have been successful in dis
,vering the thief. In the meanwhile S
RS Tollmidge and her family must L
ot be sufferers by my loss; l shall I
ay the money again" She paused, G
I'D pressed Isabel's hand with affec V
onate fervor. my child she said, i
)ne last word to you, and l have
)ne You remain here, with my trust 6
you and my love for you absolutely
lshaken. You are dearer to me than p
yer. Never forget that" S
Isabel bent her head, and kissed the a
nd hand that still held hers. The t
gh spirit that was in her, inspired h
7 Lady Lydiard's example, rose "
Iual to the dreadful situation in
hich she was placed. s.
mo. my lady," she said, calmly and u
dly, "it can not be. What this gen. G
sman has said of me is not to be o
,nied-the appearances are against a
e. The letter was open, and was 81
one In the room with it, and Mr.. II
cody told me that a valuable in v
osure was inside it. Dear and kind II
istress, am not lit to be mem 81