White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1923-11-02
(Installment No. 25)

iii read the Names, said Hardy
man, land you find the cards and
tear them up. Stop! I'll keep the
cards. You're just the sort Of
woman my father likes. He'll be
reconciled to me when he sees you,
after we are married. If one of those
men ever asks him for a place, I'll
take care, If it's years hence, to put
an obstacle in his way. Here, take
my pencil, and make mark on the
cards to remind me; the same mark
I set against horse in my book
when I don't like him-a cross en-
closed in circle" He produced his
pocket-book. His hands trembled
with anger as he gave the pencil to
Isabel and laid the book on the
table. He had just read the name
of the first false friend, and Isabel
had found the card, when servant
appeared with a message. Mrs.
Drumblade has arrived, sir, and wish
es to see you on matter Of the
greatest importance"
Hardyman left the tent, not very
willingly. wait here" he said to
Isabel; 'I'll be back directly"
She was standing near her own
place at the table. Moody had left
one end Of the jewelers. case visible
above the napkin, to attract her at
tention. In a minute more the
bracelet and the note were in her
hands. She dropped on her chair,
overwhelmed by the conflicting emo
tions that rose in her at the sight
OF the bracelet, at the reading Of the
note. Her head dropped, and the
tears filled her eyes. care all
women as blind as have been to
what is good and noble in the men
who love them?" she wondered, sadly.
Better as it u.s." she thought, with
bitter sigh; II am not worthy of
him.
AS she took up the pencil to write
her answer to Moody on the back of
her dinner card, the servant appeared
again at the door of the tent.
my master wants you at the cot
tage, miss, Immediately"
Isabel rose, putting the bracelet
and the note in the silver-mounted
leather pocket "a present from Har-
dyman) which hung at her belt. In
the hurry of passing round the table
to get out, she never noticed that
her dress touched Hardyman's pocket
book, placed close to the edge, and
threw it down on the grass below.
The book fell into one of the heat
cracks which Lady Lydiard had no
ticed as evidence of the neglected
condition Of the cottage lawn.
"You ought to hear the pleasant
news my sister has just brought
me-" said, Hardyman, when Isabel
joined him in the parlor Mrs
Drumblade has been told, on the
best authority, that my mother is
not coming to the party"
"There must be some reason, OF
course, dear Isabel" added Mrs
Drumblade. "Have you any idea Of
what it can be? I haven't seen my
mother myself, snd all my inquiries
have failed to find it out"
1t was not merry party. The
luncheon was attacked by the com
pany with a certain silent ferocity
which the walters noticed as remark
able, even in their large experience
The men drank deeply, but with
wonderfully little effect in raising
their spirits ;the women, with the
exception Of amiable Mrs. Drumblade
kept Isabel deliberately out of the
conversation that went on among
them. General Drumblade, Sitting
next to her in one Of the places OF
honor, discoursed to Isabel privately
on my brother-in-law Hardyman's
Internal temper" A young marquis
on her other side-a mere lad, chosen
to make the necessary speech in
acknowledgment of his superior rank
rose, in state of nervous trepida
ton, to propose Isabel's health as
the chosen bride of their host Pale
and trembling, conscious of having
forgotten the words which he had
learned beforehand, this unhappy
young nobleman began, Ladies and
gentlemen, haven't an idea" He
stopped, put his hand to his head
stared wildly, and sat down again,
having contrived to state his own
case with mastery brevity and per-
feet truth in speech of seven words.
While the dismay in some cases
and the amusement in others was
still at Its height, Hardyman's valet
made his appearance, and approach
ing his master, said, in a whisper,
Gould l speak to you, sir, for a mo-
ment outsider"
What the devil do you want?"
Hardyman asked, irritably. els that
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 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
Cd, it's a lie!" he exclaimed fu-
riously.
The guests rose in confusion Mrs.
Drumblade, finding. the letter within
her reach, cody possessed herself of
1t, recognized her mothers handwrit-
Ing and. read these Nnes.