The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1923-10-26
(Installment No. 24)
CHAPTER Xxx

Inc 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 IN
fortunate Miss Pink, kept a prisoner
In her bedchamber by the asthma. In
the confusion produced at the cot
tage by the preparations for enter
tanning the company, the one room
in which Hardyman could receive
Isabel with the certainty of not be-
ing interrupted was the smoking
room. To this haven of refuge he
led her-still reserved and silent,
still not restored to her customary
spirits. IF n visitors come before
the time" Hardyman said to his SER
want, tell them / am engaged at the
,stables@I must have AN hours quiet
talk with you" he continued, turning
to Isabel, cor l shall be in too bad a
temper to receive my guests with
common ~politeness. The worry of
giving this party is not t. be told in
words. l almost wish I had been
content with presenting you to my
mother, and had let the rest of my
acquaintance go to the devil"
A quiet half hour passed, and the
first visitor, a stranger to the ser
wants, appeared at the cottage gate.
He was a middle-aged man, and he
had no wish to disturb Mr.. Hardy
man. Il will wait in the grounds"
he said, "and trouble nobody" The
m~iddle-aged man who expressed him.
self in these modest terms was Rob-
ert Moody.
Five minutes later a carriage drove
up to the gate. An elderly lady got
out of it, followed by a fat white
Scotch terrier that growled at ev-
cry stranger within his reach. 1t is
needless to introduce Lady Lydiard
and Tommie.
Informed that Mr.. Hardyman was
at the stables, Lady Lydiard gave the
servant her card. "Take that to
your master, and say I won't detain
him five minutes" With these words
her ladyship sauntered into the
grounds.
Lady Lydiard advanced so as to
meet Hardyman at the entrance to
the shrubbery. He bowed stiffly,
and begged to know why her lady
ship had honored him with a visit.
Lady Lydiard replied, without no
ticing the GOODNESS of her reception:
81 have not been very well, Mr..
Hardyman, or you would have seen
me 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
doubt of your honor. | have done
you an injustice, and l beg you to
forgive me-"
Hardyman acknowledged this frank
apology as unreservedly as it a
been offered to him. 'Say no more,
Lady Lydiard. And let me hope,
now you are here, that you will honor
my little party with your presence"
Lady Lydiard gravely stated her
reasons for not accepting the invita-
ton.
81 disapprove so strongly of un-
equal marriages." she said, walking
on slowly towards the cottage, that
canot. in common consistency, be-
come one of your guests. l shall al
ways feel interested in Isabel Miller's
welfare; and l can honestly say
shall be glad if your married lie
proves that my old-fashioned preJu-
dices are without justification in your
case. Accept my thanks for your ID
vitation, and let me hope that my
plain speaking has not offended you.
She bowed and looked about her
for Tommie before she 10
the carriage waiting for her at the
gate. She had forgotten to look PACK
for the dog when she entered tne
%shrubbery. She now called TO nlln'
and blew the whistle at her watch
chain. Not a sign of Tommle was 10
be seen. Hardyman instantly dlrect-
ed the servants to search IN the cottage
and out of the cottage for the oos'
The order was obeyed with all need
full activity and intelligence, n en-
tirely without success. For the .lnle
being. at n rate, Tommie was lost
Returning from the garden ea'e'
after taking leave OF MS Vlsi'oi'
Hardyman received from his servant
a handful of letters which hau 5us'
arrived for him. Walking Slowly oVei
the lawn as he opened them ne
found nothing but excuses LOT Inc
- ~.ortr mhn had already &C