The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1923-08-31
INSTALLMENT NO. Is.

Pink. You may not mean it, but you
speak most unjustly if you say that
your niece is an object of suspicion
to me nor to anybody in my house. .
Mr.. Troy, quietly listening up to
this point, onw interposed to stop
the discussion before it could degen-
crate into personal quarrel. His
keen observation, aided by his accur-
ate knowledge of his clients charac-
ter, had plainly revealed to him what
was passing in Lady Lydiard's mind.
She had entered the house, feeling
(perhaps unconsciously) "a jealousy
of Miss Pink as her predecessor in
Isabel's affections, and as the natural
protectress of the girl under existing
circumstances. Miss Pinks reception
of her dog had additionally irritated
the old lady She had taken a mali
cious pleasure in shocking the school
mistress sense of propriety, and she
was now only too ready to proceed to
further extremities on the delicate
question of Isabels justification for
leaving her house For Isabels own
sake-therefore, to say nothing of
other reasons-it was urgently desir-
able to keep the peace between the
two ladies' With this excellent OBJ
ject in view, Mr. Troy ceased his OPP
portunity OF striking into the con-
versation for the first time.
Pardon me. Lady Lydiard," he |
said, you are speaking of subject
which has been already sufficiently
discussed between Miss Pink and
myself l think we shall do better not
to dwell uselessly on past events, but
to direct our attention to. the fture.
We are all equally satisfied of the
complete rectitude of Miss Isabels
conduct, and we are all equally inter
ested in the vindication of her good
name
Whether these temperate words
would of themselves have exercised
the pacifying influence at which Mr.
Troy aimed may be doubtful But, as
he ceased speaking, powerful auxil- ]
larry appeared in the shape of the +
beer Lady Lydiard seized on the +
jug, and filled the tumbler for her. q
self with an unsteady hand Miss Pink G
trembling for the integrity of her I
carpet, and scandalized at seeing a q
Iii. l.
woman, forgot the sharp answer that i
was just rising to her lips when the s
lawyer interfered. SMALL" said Lady n
Lydiard, setting down the empty k
tumbler, and referring to the quality Il
of the beer. But very pleasant and
What's the servants v
name? Susan? Well, Susan, l was dy- Il
ing of thirst, and you have saved my a
life You can leave the jug; dare 81
say shall empty it before l CO." al
Mr.. Troy, watching Miss Pink's tc
lace, saw that it was time to change IL
he subject again, d.
Ibid you notice the old village, hi
Lady Lydiard, on your way here?' he
asked. The artists consider it one pc
Of the most picturesque places in &C
in
II noticed that it was very dirty lie
yillage," Lady Lydiard answered, still Il
)ent on making herself disagreeable tn
n Miss Pink. "The artists may say w
what they please; l see nothing to adj TT
nire in rotten cottages and bad drain W.
,ge and ignorant people. suppose to
he neighborhood has its advantages.
I looks duh enough, to my mind. tv
Isabel had hitherto modectly re- ne
estricted her exertions to keeping Tt
-ommie quiet on her lap Like Mr.. in
ROY. she occasionally looked at her sit
mt and she now made timid at sh
smpt to defend the neighborhood, as ma
duty that she owed to Miss Pink. he
"Oh. my lady! don't say it's dull he
eighborhood, she pleaded. There We
re such pretty walks all round us. sh
nd when you get to the hills the
Jew is beautiful III
Lady Lydiard's answer to this was
little masterpiece of good-humored en-
ontempt. She patted Isabel's cheek, "Y
nd said Pooh! pooh!'
your Iadyship does not admire the MI
eauties of nature" Miss Pink re-
arked, with a compassionate smile. La
AS we get older, no doubt our sight tn
sgins to fail" us
And we leave off canting about
g beauties Of nature" added Lady oil
gdiard. I hate the country Give no