White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1923-06-08
1NsTALLMENT NO. A.

Lady Lydiard had been speaking his
vivacity had subsidized little by little.
and had left him looking so serious
and so old that his most Intimate
friend would hardly have known him
again. Reused by the sudden question
that had been put to him, he seemed
to be casting about in his mind in
search of the first excuse for his sill
ence that might turn up II was won
dering," he began, why I miss some.
thing when I look round this beauti-
full room; something familiar, you
know, that I fully expected to find
here"
"Tommie?" suggested Lady Lydiard,
still watching her nephew as malici-
ously as ever.
That's it," cried Felix, Selling his
excuse, and rallyin ghis spirits. why
don't hear Tommie snarling be.
hind me? Why don't feel Tommie's
teeth in my trousers?"
The smile vanished from Lady
Lydiard's face; the tone taken by her
nephew in speaking of her dog was
disrespectful in the extreme. She
showed him plainly that she disap-
proved of it. Felix went on, neverthe-
less, impenetrable to reproof of the
silent sort. Dear little Tommie! So
delightfully."- fat; and such an In
fernal temper! don't know whether
/ hate him or love him Where is
he?" I
all in bed" answered her lady
ship, with gravity which startled
even Felix himself. II wish to speak
to you about Tommie You know
everybody. Do you know OF a good
dog doctor? The person I have en-
ployed so far doesn't at all satisfy
me-"
Professional persona" inquired
Felix.
"Yes."
"All humbugs, my dear aunt. The
worse the dog gets the bigger the bill
grows. don't you see? I have got the
man for you-a gentleman. Knows
more about horses and dogs than all
the veterinary surgeons put together
We met in the boat yesterday cross
ing the channel. You know him by
same, of course. Lord Rotherfield's
youngest son, Alfred Hardyman."
THE owner of the stud farm? The
man who has bred the famous race
horse?" cried Lady Lydiard my dear
Felix, how can presume to trouble
such great parsonage about my
dog"
Felix burst into his genial laugh
Never was modesty more woefully out
of place" he rejoined. "Hardyman is
dying to be presented to your lady
ship He had heard, like everybody.
Of the magnificent decorations of this
house, and he is longing to see them.
Hhis chambers are close by, in Pail
Mall. If he Is at home we will have
him her in five minutes. Perhaps l
had better see the dog first?"
Lady Lydiard shook her head. lisa
bel says he had better not be dis
turbed," she answered. Isabel under
stands him better than anybody"
Felix lifted his lively eyebrows with
a mixed expression Of curiosity and
surprise. who is Isabel?"
Lady Lydiard was vexed with her.
self for carelessly mentioning lisa.
bells name in her nephew's presence.
Felix was not the sort of person
whom she was DESTROYS of admitting
to her confidence in domestic mat.
ters. Isabel is an addition to my
household since you were here last"
she answered, shortly.
Young and pretty?" inquired Felix.
"Ah! You look serious, and you don't
answer me, Young and pretty evident.
ly. Which may see first the addition
to your household or the addition to
your picture gallery? You look at the
picture gallery am answered
again." He rose to approach the arch.
way, and stopped at his first step
forward, "a sweet girl is dreadful
responsibility, aunt" he resumed,
with an ironical assumption Of gray
ity. do you know, shouldn't be sur.
prised II Isabel, in the long run, cost
you more than Hobbema. Who is this
at the door,"
The person at the door was Robert
Moody, returned from the bank. Mr..
Felix Sweetsir, being nearsighted,
was obliged to fit his eyeglass in po-
sition before he could recognize the
prime minister Of Lady Lydiard's
household
"Ha! Our worthy Moody How we'll
he wears Not a gray hair on his
head-and look at mine! What do you
use, Moody? II he had my open dispo.
sition he would tell AS it u.s. he looks
unutterable things, and holds his
tongue. All! II could only have held
my tongue-when was in the diplo.
matte service. you know-what po-
sition l might have occupied by this
time! Don't let me interrupt you,
Moody, if you have anything to say
to Lady Lydiard."
Having acknowledged Mr.. Sweet
sir's lively greeting by formal bow,
and q grave look of wonder which re-