White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1923-09-07
INSTALLMENT NO. II.

"Or do you Judge of his position by
the vocation in life which he has per-
yersely chosen to adopt? l can tell
you, If you do, that Alfred Hardyman
is the younger son of one of the old
est barons in the English peerage, and
that his mother Is related by marriage
TO the royal family of Wurtemberg.
Miss Pink received the full shock OF
this information without receding
from her position by hairs breath.
IAN English gentlewoman offers a
fit alliance to any man living who
seeks her hand in marriage" said
Miss Pink. "Isabels mother (you may
not be aware of it, was the daughter
of an English clergyman"
And Isabel's father was chemist
in a country town." added Lady
Lydiard.
"Isabel's father" rejoined Miss Pink,
was attached in most responsible
capacity to the useful and honorable
profession of medicine Isabel Is, In
the strictest sense of the word, young
gentlewoman. If you contradict that
for a single instant, Lady Lydiard,
you will oblige me to leave the room
Those last words produced a result
which Miss Pink had not anticipated
they reused Lady Lydiard to assert
herself AS usual In such cases, she
rose superior to her own eccentricity
Confronting Miss Pink, she now
spoke and looked with the gracious
courtesy and the unpresuming self
confidence of the order to which she
belonged.
For Isabels own sake, and for the
quieting of my conscience" she an
swered, II will say one word more,
Miss Pink, before relieve you of
my presence. Considering my age and
my opportunities, I may claim to
know quite as much as you do OF
the laws and customs which regulate
society In our time. Without contest
ing your nieces social position, and
without the slightest intention of in
sulting you, l repeat that the rank
which Mr.. Hardyman inherits makes
it simply impossible even for him to
think of marrying Isabel. You will do
well not to give him any opportunities
OF meeting with her alone And you
viii do better still (seelng that he is
80 near a neighbor of yours( If you
permit Isabel to return to my protec-
ton, for q time at least l will wait to
hear from you when you have thought
the matter over at your leisure. In the
meantime, II have inadvertently Of
Tended you. l ask your pardon--and
I wish you good evening"
She bowed and walked to the door.
Miss Pink, as resolute as ever in main
tanning her pretensions, made an ef-
fort to match the great lady on her
own ground.
Before you go, Lady Lydiard. beg
to apologize If have spoken too
warmly on my side,' sch said. per,
NIT me to send for your carriage"
Thank you, Miss Pink. My car
riage is only at the village inn. shall
enjoy little walk in the cool evening
air. Mr.. Troy. have no doubt, will
give me his arm" She bowed once
more and quietly left the room.
Reaching the little back garden OF
the villa through an open door at the
further end of the hall. Lady Lydiard
found Tommie rolling luxuriously or
Miss Pink's flower-beds, and Isabel and
Mr.. Troy in close consultation on the
grayel-walk. She spoke to the lawy Ell
first
inn," she said Il want your arm, Mr.
Troy, as far as the village. and. in re
turn, will take you back to London
with me. I have to ask your advice
about one or two little matters. ant
this Is good opportunity"
with the greatest pleasure, Lady
Lydiard. I suppose must say good
bye to Miss Pink
"A word Of advice to you, Mr. Troy
Take care how you ruffle Miss Pink's
sense of her own Importance. An
other word for your private ear-Miss
Pink is a fool"
On the lawyers withdrawal, Lady
Lydiard put her arm fondly round Isa
bells waist What were you and Mr.
Troy so busy In talking about?" she
asked.
I'VE were talking, my lady. about
tracing the person who stole the mon
ey," Isabel answered, rather sadly. ut
seems far more difficult matter than
supposed 1t to be. try not to lose
patience and hope, but 1t is little
hard to feel that the appearances are
against me. and to wait day after day
in vain for the discovery that is to set
me right"
You are dear good child" said
Lady Lydiard. land you are more pre-
cious to me than ever. Don't despair,
isabel. With Mr.. Troy's means of in
curing, and with my means of pay.
ing. the discovery of the thief can not
be much longer delayed. If you don't
return to me soon. shall come back
and see you again. Your aunt hates