The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1923-09-28


madly in the wind the dog pursued
him, jumping over him, and barking
with delight; he shouted and screamed
in answer to the dog, as he rolled
over and over faster and faster; and
when he got up on the level ground,
and called out cheerfully to his COM
panions standing above him, II say
you two feel 20 years younger al
ready" human gravity could hold
out no longer. The sad and silent
/ Moody smiled, and Isabel burst into
fits of laughter
There" he said, didn't l tell you
you would get used to me, miss?
There's a great deal of life left in
the old man yet-isnt there? Shy
me down my hat Mr.. Moody. And
now We'll get to BUSINESS" He turned
round to the dog still barking at his
heels. Business, PIGGY" he called
out, sharply, and PIGGY instantly shut
his mouth, and said no more.
We'll, now Old Sharon re-
sumed, when he had Joined his friends
and had got his breath again, lets
have little talk about yourself, miss.
Has Mr. Moody told you who | am,
and what I want with you? Very
good May | offer you my arm? No!
You like to be independent, don't you?
All right don't object l am an
amiable Old man, | am. About this
Lady Lydiard, now? Suppose you tell
me how you first got acquainted with
her.
In some surprise at this question,
Isabel told her little story Observing
Sharon's face while she was speaking,
Moody saw that he was not paying
the smallest attention to the nara
tive. His sharp, shameless black eyes
watched the girls face absently; his
gross lips curled upward in a sardonic
and self-satisfied smile He was evil
IDENTIFY setting trap for her of some
kind Without word of warning
while Isabel was in the middle of a
sentence-the trap opened, with the
opening of Old Sharon's lips
81 say!" he burst out, ''how came
you to seal her ladyships letter-eh?"
The question bore no sort of rela-
ton, direct or indirect, to what Isabel
happened to be saying at the moment
In the sudden surprise of hearing it,
she started and fixed her eyes in as
constituent on Sharon's face The old
vagabond chuckled to himself did
you see that?" he whispered to Moody
II beg your pardon, miss he went
on; Il won't interrupt you again. Lord,
how interesting it is!-ain't it, Mr.
Moody? Please to go On. miss"
But Isabel, though she spoke with
perfect sweetness and temper, de-
clined to go on. Il had better tell you,
sir, how l came to seal her ladyship's
letter." she said. IF | may venture
on giving my opinion, that part Of my
story seems to be the only part of it
which relates to your business with
me today"
Without further preface she de-
scribed the circumstances which had |
led to her assuming the perilous re-
sponsibility of sealing the letter Old |
Sharon's wandering attention began
to wander again; he was evidently oc-
cupied in setting another trap. For the
second time he interrupted Isabel in
the middle of a sentence. Suddenly
short, he pointed to some
sheep at the further end of the field
through which they happened to be
passing at the moment
There's pretty sight" he said.
There are the innocent sheep a-feed-
ing-all following each other as usual;
and there's the sly dog waiting be-
hind the gate till the sheep want his
services. Reminds me of Old Sharon
and the public He chuckled over his
discovery of the remarkable similar
ity between the sheep-dog and him.
self, and the sheep and the public, and
then burst upon Isabel with second
question. 81 say didn't you look at
the letter before you sealed it?"
Certainly not" Isabel answered
mot even at the address,
mo"
thinking of something else-ehY r
Every likely" said Isabel.
ssWas 1t your new bonnet, my dearF
Isabel laughed. Women are not al
ways thinking of their new bonnets."
she answered. u