White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1923-08-24
CHAPTER XII.

! having W open Tie uOOI. NlSS XIX,
deafened by the barking, had just
time to say, What very ill-behaved
dog!" when a sound of small objects
overthrown in the hall, and scurry-
| ing of furious claws across the oil
cloth, announced that Tommie had in
vaded the house. AS the servant ap-
peared, introducing Lady Lydiard, the
dog ran in He made frantic leap
at Isabel, which would certainly have
knocked her down but for the chair
that happened to be standing behind
her. Received on her lap, the faithful
creature half smothered her with his
caresses He barked, he shrieked, in
his joy at seeing her again. He
jumped off her lap and tore around
and around the room at the top of
his speed, and every time he passed
Miss Pink he showed the whole range
of his teeth, and snarled ferociously
at her ankles. Having at last exhaust
ed his superfluous energy, he leaped
back again on Isabel's lap, with his
tongue quivering in his open mouth,
his tail wagging softly, and his eye
on Miss Pink, inquiring how she liked
a dog in her drawing room.
Il hope my dog has not disturbed
you, ma'am?' said Lady Lydiard, ad
vancing from the mat at the door way
on which she had patiently waited
until the raptures of Tommie sub
sided into repose
Miss Pink, trembling bewteen ter
ror and indignation, acknowledged
Lady Lydiard's polite inquiry by
which administered by implication
dignified reproof. Your ladyship's
dog does not appear to be very
well-trained ANIMAL the ex-school
mistress remarked.
well trained?" Lady Lydiard re.
peated, as if the expression were per-
fectly unintelligible to her; Il don't
think you have had much experience
of dogs, ma'am' She turned to Isa-
bel, and embraced her tenderly. Give
me kiss, my dear. You don't know
how wretched / have been since you
left me- She looked back again at
Miss Pink. You are not, perhaps,
aware, ma'am, that my dog is devot-
eddy attached to your niece. A dogs
love has been considered by many
great men (whose names at the mo-
ment escape mel as the most touch
ing and disinterested of all earthly
affections" She looked the other way
and discovered the lawyer. How dc
you do, Mr.. Troy? It's pleasant sur
:, prise to find you here. The house was
so dull without Isabel that l really
couldn't put off seeing her any longer.
When you are more used to Tommie,
Miss Pink, you will understand and
admire him. You understand and ad.
mire him, sabe, don't you? My child,
you are not looking we'll. shall take
you back with me when the horses
have had their rest. We shall never
be happy away from each other
Having expressed her sentiments
distributed her greetings, and defend.
ed her dog-all, as it were, in one
breath Lady Lydiard sat down by lisa.
bells side, and opened large green
fan that hung at her girdle you
have no idea, Miss Pink, how fat PEG.
pie suffer in hot weather." said the
old lady, using her fan vigorously.
Miss Pink's eyes dropped modest.
ly to the ground-"fat" was such q
coarse word to use, If lady must
speak of her own superfluous flesh |!
May l offer some refreshment?
Miss Pink asked, mincingly. "A cup
of tea?"
Lady Lydiard shook her head.
"A glass of water?"
Lady Lydiard declined this last
hospitable proposal with an exclama.
ton of disgust. Have you got any
beer?' she inquired.
Il beg your ladyship's pardon" said
Miss Pink. doubling the evidence of
her own ears. did you say-beer?"
Lady Lydiard gesticulated vehem.
emily with her fan. Yes, to be sure!
Beer! beer!"
Miss Pink rose, with a countenance
expressive of genteel disgust, and
rang the bell. II think you have beer
downstairs, Susan?' she said, when
the maid appeared at the door,
Yes, miss"
"a glass of beer for Lady Lydiard,"
said Miss Pink, under protest
Bring it in a Jug" shouted her
ladyship, as the maid left the room.
II like to froth it for myself" she
continued, addressing Miss Pink. els.
abel sometimes does it for me, when
she is at home; don't you. my dear?"
Miss Pink had been waiting her op.
portunity to assert her own claim to
the possession of her own niece from
the time when Lady Lydiard had
coolly declared her intention of TAX
ing ISABEL back with her. The oppor.
tunity now presented itself.
Your ladyship will pardon me-"
she said, IF remark that my niece's
home Is under my humble roof. am
properly sensible, l hope, of your
| I sx To- hi. t~,.A hi 4.