The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1923-11-02

MY LADY'S
An Episode in the Life
of a Young Girl
By WiHie Collins


Hardyman asked, irritably. "Is that
a letter in your hand? Give it to
me-"
The valet was a Frenchman. In
other words, he had a sense of what
was due to himself. His master had
forgotten this. He gave up the let
ter with a certain dignity of manner,
and left the tent. Hardyman opened
the letter. He turned pale as he
read it, crumpled it in his hand, and
threw it down on the table. by
riOuSly.
The guests rose in confusion. Mrs.
Drumblade, finding the letter within
her reach, cody possessed herself of
it, recognized her mothers handwrit-
ing, and read these lines:
Il have only now persuaded your
father to let me write to you. For
Gods sake break off your marriage
at any sacrifice. Your father has
heard, on unanswerable authority,
that Miss Isabel Miller left her stu
alton in Lady Lydiard's house on sus-
picion of theft"
mo bad news, dear Alfred, I hope?"
she said, in her most affeetionate
manner. Hardyman snatched the let
ter from her, without answering, and
led Isabel out of the tent.
Read that" he said, when they
were alone. And tell me at once
whether it's true or false"
T-aI4l ~@aI A. - -
ment the shock of the discovery held
her speeches.. She recovered her
self, and returned the letter.
1T is true" she answered.
Hardyman staggered back as if
she had shot him.
asked.
mo; l am innocent. Everybody
who knows me believes in my limo
cence. 1t is true that the appear
ances were against me. They are
me STILL" Having said this,
waited, quietly and firmly, for
lis text words.
He passed his hand over his fore
head with a sigh of relief. Its bad
enough as it is" he said, speaking /,
on his side. But the remedy
it is plain enough. Come back
o the tent" )
She never moved. "Why?" she ,
Isked.
do you suppose | don't believe in
our innocence, too?" he answered.
The one way of setting you right
With the world now is for me to
nake you my wife, in spite of the @
p~pearances that point to you. I'm v
90 fond of you, Isabel, to give you t
Come back with me, and I will A
.nnounce u marriage to my F
r
you are very kind, Alfred. My n
uty is plain to me. l will marry "
ou-if you still wish it-when my n
God name is restored to En- be- a
re- Fl
He laid one hand on her arm, and n
ointed with the other to the guests tc
the distance, all leaving the tent
4 the way!to their carriages. k.
Your good name will be restored CO
you," he said, ION the day when l of
axe you my wife. The worse enemy M
,u have cannot associate my name T
it'll a suspicion of theft. Remember in
at, and think a little before you F,
,cide. You see those people there. vi
you don't change your mind by ST
e time they have gotten to the liz
ttage, it's goodbye between us, and til
'odbye forever. L refuse to wait w;
r you; l refuse to accept a con- as
tional engagement. Wait, and think. oh
ley're walking slowly; you have ia,
t some minutes more" 1at
He still held her arm, watching the th;
as they gradually receded from trs
Nv. 1t was not until they had all ed
-lected in a group outside the cot pls
se door that he spoke himself, or ito
1t he permitted Isabel to speak cal
ain. ia
he said, you have had niz
If time to get cool. Will you take 9
arm and join those people with air
, or will you say goodbye for tiol
,r?" VIII
Forgive me, Alfred" she began hot
fly. Il cannot consent, in justice anc
you, to shelter myself behind your wit
ne. 1t is the name of your family, tor
they have a right to expect that tate
will not degrade it"
wait a plain answer" he inter err
ed, sternly. (which is it? Yes cate
fuel
(To Be Continued) mile
to
S soon as some fellows get a pri- nart
office where they can loaf with as 6