White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1923-08-31
By Wilkie Collins

rect form IN winch Lazy LyulaTd nau
put her question.
Is he in the habit of visiting here?'
the old lady inquired, with sudden
appearance of anxiety do you know
him."
, Il had the honor of being intro
duced to Mr., Hardyman at our last
flower SHOW" Miss Pink replied. HE
has not yet favored me with visit.
Lady Lydiard's anxiety appeared to
be to some extent relieved
Il knew that Hardyman's farm was
in this county," she said. but l had
no notion that it was in the neigh
borhood of South Morden. How far
is Hello or dozen miles, eh?"
Not more than three miles," an
swered Miss Pink. I'VE consider him
quite near neghbor of ours"
Renewed anxiety showed itself in
Lady Lydiard. She looked round
sharply at Isabel. The girls head was
bent so low over the rough head of
the dog that her face was almost en-
tirey concealed from view. So far as
appearances went, she seemed to be
entirely absorbed in fondling Tommie.
Lady Lydiard reused her with tap
of the green fan.
Take Tommie out, Isabel, for a run
in the garden" she said. He won't
sit still much longer, and he may an.
noy Miss Pink. Mr.. Troy, will you
kindly help Isabel to keep my ILL.,
trained dog in order?"
Mr. Troy got on his feet, and, not
very willingly, followed Isabel out of
the room "They will quarrel now. to
dead certainty" he thought to him
SELF as he closed the door. Have you
any idea of what this means?" he said
to his companion, as he Joined her in
the hall. What has Mr. Hardyman
done to excite all this interest in
him."
Isabel's guilty color rose. She knew
perfectly well that Hardyman's uncon.
cealed admiration of her was the guild
ing motive Of Lady Lydiard's inquir.
les If she had told the truth, Mr..
Troy would have unquestionably re-
turned to the drawing room, with or
without an acceptable excuse for In
truding himself But Isabel was a
woman; and her answer, it is needless
to say, was, II don't know, I'm sure !"
In the meantime the interview be-
tween the two ladies began in a man
ner which would have astonished Mr..
Troy-they were both silent. For once
in her life, Lady Lydiard was con-
s.dering what she should say before
she said it, Miss Pink, on her side,
naturally waited to hear what objects
her ladyship had in view-waited until
her small reserves of patience gave
way. Urged by irresistible curiosity
she soke first.
Have you anything to say to me
in private?" she asked
Lady Lydiard had not got to the
end of her reflections She said
, Yes" and she said no more.
is it anything relating to my
niece?" persisted Miss Pink
Still immersed in her reflections
Lady Lydiard suddenly rose to the
the surface and spoke her mind, as
! usual.
3 About your niece, ma'am. The
other day Mr.. Hardyman called at my
! house, and saw Isabel
+ Yes" said Miss Pink, politely at
e tentive, but not in the least interested
. SO far.
That's not all, ma am. Mr.. Hardy
J man admires Isabel; he owned it te
3 me himself in SO many words.
: Miss Pink listened with courteous
inclination of her head She looked
: mildly gratified, nothing more. Lady
Lydiard proceeded:
You and | think different on many
: matters" she said, "but we are both
agreed, am sure, in feeling the sin
" cerest interest in Isabel's welfare.
beg to suggest to you, Miss Pink, that
Mr.. Hardyman, as near neighbor Of
!, yours, is very undesirable neighbol
while Isabel remains in your house.
Saying those words, under a strong
o conviction of the serious importance
of the subject, Lady Lydiard insensi
bly, recovered the manner and resum
: ed the language which befitted lady
of her rank Miss Pink, noticing the
: change, set it down to an expression
of pride on the part of her visitor
a which, in referring to Isabel. assailed
. indirectly the social position of lisa
bells aunt.
. Il fail entirely to understand what
: your ladysllip MEANS" she said, cold
I ly.
Lady Lydiard, on her side, looked
, in undisguised amazement at Miss
Pink.
Haven't told you already that Mr.
Hardyman admires your niece?" she
, asked
Naturally" said Miss Pink. Isabel
; inherits her lamented mothers per
: sonal advantages If Mr. Hardyman ad
; mires her, Mr. Hardyman shows his
good taste"