Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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/ THE STJ?TER WATCHMAN, Established April, ISSI). "Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Aims't at. be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's." THK TKCE SOUTHXOX, K?tabiij*?id jim?r 186?^ Consolidated Au?. 2, ISSI.] SUMTER, S. C., TUESDAY FEBRUARY 16, 1886. New Series-Vol. V. No. 29. %\t S?aidjman ?tits ?TLb2is2id& OTcrv Tussday, BY; N. GK OSTEEN, S?MTM, S. C. TK?l.M? : Tv?o Dollars per anaum-in advance. A D V ? ll T I S S M 2 S TS . ?joe Square, first insertion....f.51 CO S very subsequent: insertion. 50 Contracts for tbree mon ?-hs. or longer wiil be made al reduced raies. All communication?: wbu h subserve private interests will be cha ?-ged for a? advertisements. Obituaries and tributes of respect will be charged for. HY LADY'S mm By WILKIE COLLINS. AX EPISODE D? THE LIFE OF A YOUNG GIRL. PART THE SECOND. TEE DISCOVEBT. CHAPTER XXL The conference between. Lady Lydiard and Mr. Troy, on the way back to London, led to some practical results. Hearing from her legal adviser that the inquiry after the missing money was tor the moment at a standstill, Lady Lydiard made one oi those bold suggestions with which shy was accustomed to startle her friends in cases of emergency. She had heard favorable re? ports o? the extraordinary *ingenui ty of the French po Ufte, and she now proposed sending toParfc-TorassisKince,.after first'consulting her nephew, Mr. Felix Sweet sir. "Felix knows Paris as well as he knows London,^ she remarked. "He is an idle man. and it is quite likely that he will relieve us o$Ali trouble by taking the matter into his own hands In any case, he is sure to know who are the right people to address in our present neces? sity. What do you say?" Mr. Troy, in reply, expressed his doubts as to the wisdom of employing foreigners in a delicate investigation which required an ac? curate knowledge of English customs and English character. Waiving this objection, he approved of the idea of consulting her ladyship^ nephew. "Mr. Swco.;ir is a m:;n of the world," he said. "In putting the case before him, we are sure to have it presented to us from a new point of view. ? Acting on this favorable expression of opinion, Lady Lydiard wrote to her nephew. On the day after th? visit to Miss Pink the proposed council of three "was held nt Lady Lydiard's house. Felix, never punctual in keeping an ap? pointment, was even later than usual on this occasion. He made his apologies with his hand pressed on his forehead, and his voice expressive of the languor and discourage? ment of a suffering man. "The beastly English climate is telling on my nerves," said Mr. Sweetsir; 4*the horrid ?weight of the atmosphere, after the exhilar? ating air of Paris; the intolerable dirt and dullness of London, you know. I was in bed, my dear aunt, when I received .ycttr letter. You may imagine the completely demoralized state I was in, when I tell you of the eiTect which the new*; of the robbery produced on me. 1 fell back on my pihow as if ? had been shot Your ladyship should really be a dttla more careful in communicating these dis? agreeable surprises to a sensitively or^nized man. Viever mind, my vabt is a per-rr" treasu-e: he brought me som? dror*s o' et^ on a lump of sugar. ? said. Alfd' (b^ name is Alfred), "put me into my clothes:' Alfred put me in. I assure you it remin'?'d me of my young days, when I was put into my first pair of troupers, lias .??ired for? gotten anything? Eave I g??t my t>ra*.vs on: Have I <?ome out in inf sa.rt sleeves.* Well, dear aunt! well. Mr. Troy! what can I say: what ca" I do?'* Lady Lydiard, entirely without sympa1, h - for nervous su.Ter?*u<r. nodded to the iawv.-: **You tell him." sh-.- said "I believe I speak for her ladyship." Mr Troy began, "wneu ? say tb at we sbo.i'd life to hear, in the first place, how tue wuo?e east strikes you, Mr. Sweefcar.* "Tell it mo all ov?r aga.u.: said Felix Patient Mr. Troy told it all over again, an. waited for the result "WeKr said Felix ."We?T'snid Mr. Troy. "Where does th suspicion of robbery re-.t. in your o ?inion You look at the theft of th? baale note witt a fresh eye." "You mentioned a clergyman just now/ said Felix "The man. you know, to whon tire mon^y -was: sen VV.ra* ?ii^ ru tn ie ?" "TheReverend Samuel bradstock." "You want ire to name the per sou whoh I suspect?" "Yes, if vou please." .^aid M-s. Troy. "I suspect tho lie ver ea! Samuel Brad stock,:> said Felix. "If you har? come here to make stu~i jokes," interposed Lily Lydiard, "you ha? better go back to your be?! again. We wax: a serious opinion." "You have a serious opinion." Felix coo?lj rejoined. "I never "va-; :::ore hi earnest i: my life* Your ladysbio is not aware of th first principle to be adopted in cases of su picion. One proceeds on wi ut I call the ex haustive system of reasoniig. Thus: Doe suspicion point to tne honest servants dow: stairs? l\"o. To your ladyship's adopto daughter? Appearances are against the poo giri; but you know h'.-r better than to tru? to appearances. J?se you suspicious c Moody? >~o. Of Hardynian, who was in th house at the (?niel Ridiculous' But I wa in the house at the time loo. Do you sus pe': me? Just so: Ina: idea is ridiculous, UK j [fiji's l''< ff '..i i';;/ V\*j. SSW? I S-J* Nv i f XV#5* "Do you suspect me? Just sor How let us sum up. Servants, adopt? daughter. Moody, Hardyiaan, Sweetsir-u beyond suspicion. Who is left? The Re er?nd Samuel Bradstock !" Thi3 ingenious exposition of "the e: haustivo system of reasoning faile i to pr duce any effect on Lsdy Lydiard "You a? ?wasting our time," she said sharply. "Y? know as well as I do that you are talki; nonsense." "I don't," said Felix "Taking the g^i* 1 manly professions all round, I know of men who aro so eager to get niouey? and xv! have so few scruples about bow th^y get ; as the parsons. Where is choro a .van i any other profession who perpetually v.<> ries you for money? who holds the bag undi your nose for money ' who semis lbs der round from door to door to beg a few lings of you, and calls it an 'Easter <>*X - iagV The parson does ali this. Bradstock a parson. I put it logically. Bowl me ov> ii yon can." Mr. Troy attempted to "bowl him ov-r nevertheless. Lady Lydiard wisely int?, posed. "When a man persists in talking ir? sense," she said, "silence is the be>t anew., anything else only encourages him.n Si turned to Felix ,;1 have a question to as you," she went on. "You will either give v a serious reply, or wish me good morning With this brief preface, she made her inqui< as to the wisdom and possibility of engagu tkz services of the French pohce. ?ehx took exvrtly th? view of the matt which had been already expressed by M Troy. ^Superior in intelligence," ho sai; ?'out not superior in courage to the police Capable of performing wo? their own ground and among their o pie. But, rav dear aunt, the two m similar nations on the face of tho ea: the English and French. The Krone! may speak our language, but they capable of understanding our nation! actor and our national manners. Se j to work on a private inquiry in the I Pekin and they would get on in dr j the Chinese people. Sot them to worl j city of London and tho English peo;-le { remain, from first to last. The same i ! trable mystery to thom. In my bel j London Sunday would be enough of i ! drive them back to Paris in despa balls, no concerts, no theatres, not museum or a picture gallery open: shep ?hut up but the gin shop, anci i moving but the church bells and t ?who sell the penny ices. Hundreds of I men come to see me on their first arr ? England. Every man o? them rushs; ? to Paris on the second Saturday of hi ! rather than confront the horrors of a j Sunday in Loudon. However? you c it, if you like. Send me a written a of the eise, and I will forward it to < J the o?Sc?ui people in the Kuc Jeru^alet M wi'l do any tb mg he can to oblige ir j course," said Felix, turning to Mr. ? "some of you have got the number j io<t bank note. If the tai "'I: luis tried t it in Paris, my man may be of some . j you." i "Three of us have got the number < i note,:> answered Mr. Troy, "Hiss j Hiller. Hr. Moody and myseif." j "Very gool"' said Felix. "Send n I number, with the abstract of tho ca. ? there anything else I can do towards re j in g the money?1' he asked, turning 1 l aunt. "There is one lucky cireum-ta ! 'connection '?.:*h this loss, isn't there* j fallen oa a person who is rich enough t< j it easy, Good heavens! suppose it had ; my loss!" j "Iv has fallen doubly on me." said ! Lydiard: "and I am certain!}* not [ enough to take that easy. The mone ; destined io a charitable purpose, and I ? felt it my duty to pay it again." ! Felix rose and approached his aunt's i with faltering steps, as became a suff j man. He took Lady Lydiard's ham ! kissed it With enthusiastic admiration, j "You excellent creature!" he said. ' , J may not think it, but you reconcile i i haman nature. Hon- generous! bow n ? 1 think I'll go to bed again. Mr. Troy, ii j really don't want any more of me. My : feels giddy, and my legs tremble undei ? It doesn't matter; I shad feel easier i I Alfred has taken me cut of my clothes a: ! God bisss you, my dear aunt! I never ' :-o proud of being related to you as I d< ! day. Good morning. Mi. Troy. Don't I ?et the abstract of the case, and don't tro I ?-ourself to see ms to the door. I dare s< j shan't tumble down stairs, and if I do. th? j the porter in the hall to pick me up ag . j Enviable porter! as fat as butter, and as ? as a pig! Au revoir! au revoir!" He ki i his hand and drifted feebly out of the rc > J Sweets!r. one might say. in a state of ecli ? j tut still the serviceable Sweetsir, who j never consulted in vain by the fortm . j people privileged to call kim friend, .j "is be really ilk do you think?"' Mr. 1 ? j asked. . j "My nephew has turned fifty," L ; Lydiard ?nswerecL *'ard he persist-; in In i as if he were a young man. Every how I th.-n lv*:ture .'.ays lo him. "Felix, you : ! oM: And Felix goes to bed, and says j List:- ve.-." j "I >tr : ose he is to be trusted to keep : ? word abou; writing to Paris?" pursued ! Iawy< r . *.< ??. ves. Ile may delay doing it, but . wt* r -m?-o? Vs i"- fcadaisica! j n-. r. L :;.-.> nv nients of energy that wc [ sur e yo;:. I'aiking of jurprisos, i h j some*.-m r to tell you about .* x>dy. Wit .! the 1- '.' v or t'A o thors has been a mar ; chang In . im- a change for the worse." ; "Vv:: avoni-h me. Jhady Lydiard. ; j what v. n.".-; ?loody deteriorat?dr ; "You cad* rear. Yesterday ivas Frid i i You l'?>'? Lim out with you, on busin j e&r.y in . morning." * ! Mr. Troy *: owed, and said nothing. ' had r.o* ! ugh: it de diable to mention ! h:*ir: vi-.-v t-: which Mid aharon had chea ' him ru* r.i guinea. ?: *n. :?'.o;v--; of tho afternoon." pursi ; . Eady i y-:: -r.5, "1 h-*.poe:?od to want h : and I v. s informed thal Moody bad gi I out ;-;.H r. Where had he gone? "Xobc ; j knew, li d i'e left word when he would ! back; Le Li-i !ef* n9 message of any sc j Of our,-* he is no* ic the position of an > : c?nary servant. 1 clou't expect him to ; ? : permission TO c.'-> out. but i rio expect him i leave w? rd down stairs of tho time at wh I hei-H likely lo rentra. When fce did co; * back, afr-r an absence of some hours, i naturel I y asfc-d for aa explanation. Wot * . you belfc-ve :t'f he sixsypiy inforrn.-vi mt- ti he utd t<een away ou busir^?s of his own, < -. : premed no re gret, a ad offered no expiai : tion-in short, spoke as if he " ere au in< pender: ;;-:.'J^man. You may not rhi~k - cut ll:-* my temper. I merely remark _ thac i limped it wcrdd no: happen again. '. i made me a i ow, and he said: "My busin< J s not completed yet. my lady; I cam : guarantee that it may not call me av.: . again at a moment's notice.' What do y 7 think of that? Xme p- opie out of ten wau a have given him warning TO leave theirs e ' vice. I begin to think I am a wonder! ,- woman: I only \ Int'.-J to the door. One ile :- bear sometimes of men's ";.. ams softening s the most unexpected manner. I have ii a i suspicions of > cody"s brains, ? can tell yoa j Mr. Troy's suspivioi-s took a diiFere r direction; th?-y pointed .:!c;ng t.:.e line stivf-ts which led to-Old ^barons lodging >* I *is?*re^tly silent as Lo r h-j mm which fc thoughts, bad tak**a, ha mereiy express? _i himself ?s feeling too much surprise to od" uny opini?n at uil. "V\ait a httie." said Lady L3-diard: ' * haven't done surprising \<.u yet. You ha S'rn a boy here in a page*? livery. I thia Weil, Le is a a/x>d boy. and he has gone L' .:! fora week's holiday v.-ii ii his friends. Ti proper parson to Kuppiy his place with t? toots and shr>cs and o:ht-r smaiJ emplbymen is. of cours*?, the youngest fo<?tman, a l?:d t only a few years older tiif-n hiniself. Whj do you think Moody does- Engages a strange; with the house full of idle men servants a ready, to till the ]<ag::'s pince. At inter va thi? morning I hcard,theia wonderful?vmerr in the servant's ball-HO merry ihat tl:e n d ? and laughter found its way tm stairs to tl; ' bre^kf/'St room. J lik** u.y servants to ?.-e i go'xl spirit:;, t/i-t i*. (Vita ji?y rti srriJ:e n: that the? were ge'ting U.*yond r*'a>>aab] limits. ? questV'nerl my ?naid, :iu>\ '.vas ii formed that the nois.- was all due to the jvk< of the strangest old man thax ever wax s^e ;> I ri other words, to th? jy-rson whom iii , steward bad tak*-n i: on himself to ?->;;'.:.... i The po ge'b absence. ? s'i-t-ke to Mot sf iv on t!i eabyx-t. Ke answered tn an o?.V.i. coiifuse 1 way. that he had exerci-ed bisdisf-retion : the b':st of his judgment, and that {if wished it) be womd t -li ti old man t" I:ee; his good spirits und'-r better controc xl a'ike'i him how hA came to bs-nr ol the man J l?e c>nly answered, 'By accident, my lady, v ?nd notons word more could 1 geo out o bim. govi or bad. Moody engages the ser ? vants, tts you know; l.-nt on every other ':<vc^ \ sion Le has invariably con.*ulo>d n?e befor an engagement was *etUei 1 really dor?* ie?d at all *ur?* about this px-rs^-n who ha ,:' i>-*-n so stiang'dy in?roduceri into the house ?. he may be a di*uckard or a thief I wis! vo.t would spcfik to Moody yourself, ?-ir Tr"/. Doy*r?u nuud ritigmg the b<-!!*"" .\5r. Tr<>y rose, as a matter of course, mi' rang the }:<. was bv this time, it is i-eecl!<-s'-- '??> ."oncineed that Moody b;ul not >K\\V ?om 1 back ?o consul: Old Sha1-'.-: on bis ov.u re pTioiisibility, but; v-'orse sti?. had tak'-ti :Ji< ?i unwarrantable liberty of introducing him ?I a spv into the hf?use. To romimimcuU* thi? explanation to Lady Lydiard would, iii present humor. b<- wmply to produ. ?-. UH.? dis udssaJ <.!' the stewxti'd .rom h??r service 'f"ii? only other Alternative w?s u> ?u-.!: if;?vf> u mteiTOgato M<>oly privately, and, after duly repaving him, tomsis; on ?ie d< p??rtui*? of Old Sharon as th** on** rv,ndit;o:i <>a whici; .? Mr. Troy would consent t o keepLa?iy Lydiard in ignoi-ajsce of the truth. kji th.nk I .-hali manage better with Moody 1 if your hidyship will pt-ruii: m<* to him in r private," the lawyer said. "Sha Ii i go down s?fiiiv and spfak ?y him In his own roi ..MI?" i? "Whv should you trouble yourself t<> do v that?"' said her ladyship. "See him here, and i will go into 'he boudoir." As she made that reoly the footman ap .. peared at be drawmg om door. "Ser.d Mootly here." said Lady Lydiard. The fo' tnsan's answer, delivered at thai r moment, assumed an important- w hick was -'. not expressed in the footmen's words. "My I 1 lady," he said, "Mr. Moody has gone out." CHAPTER M While the strange proceedings of the ard were the subject of conversation bet Lady Lydiard and Mr. Troy, Moody alone in his room, occupied in writing U bel. Being unwilling that any eyes hu own should see the address, he had hil posted his letter, the time that he had cl for leaving the house proving, uufortu ly, to Oe also the time proposed by her. ship for his interview with the lawyer ten minutes after the footman had rep his absence. Moody returned. It was too late to present himself in the dra room. In the interval Mr. Troy had t his leave, and Moody's position had uro a degree lower in Lady Lydiard's esl tion. Isabel received her letter by the morning's post. If any justification of Troy's suspicions had been needed, the b in which Moody wrote would have a: supplied it. "DEAR ISABEL (I hope I may call 'Isabel' without offending you in your ; ent trouble}-i have a proposal to n: ?which, whether you accept it or not. 1 you will keep a secret ironi every li creature but ourselves. You will unders my request when I add that these hues r to the mattel* of tracing the stolon i note, "1-have been privately in commumgi with a ?>erson in London who is. as I bel the one person competent to help us in ? ing our end. Ke has already made man; quirics in private. With some of thom 3 acquainted; the rest he has thus far kej himself. The person to whom I allude t?eularly wishes to have half rn hour's ( versation with you-in my prosence. I bound to warn you that li9 is a very stra a:-ul very ugly old man, ?ad I can only h that you will look over his personal app. ance in consideration of what he is likeij do for you. '*Can you conveniently meet us at the ther end of the row of villas in which y aunt lives, the day after to-morrow, at l o'clock? Let me have one line to say if will keep the appointment, and if the h named will suit VOIL And believe me y devoted friend and servant, "ROBERT MOODT Hie lawyer's warning to her to be car how she yielded too readily to any prop of Moody's recurre! to Isabel's mind w she read those lines. Being pledged secrecy, she could not consult Mr. Tro}' was left to decide for herself. INo obstacle si cod in the way of her i choice of alternatives. After their et dinner, at three o'clock. Miss Pink habitu, retired to her own room, "to meditate, she expressed it. Hor '.meditations" variably ended hi a sound sleep of s< hours; and during th*?t interval Isabel 1 at liberty to do as she pl rased. After c siderablo hesitation, her implicit belief ? Moody's truth and devotion, assisted h strong feeling of curiosity to soe the ci j pallion with whom the steward had associa j himself; decided Isabel on consenting to k J the appointments j Taking up her petition beyond the hon I on the day and at the hour mentioned j Moody, she believed herself to be fully \ ' pared for the most unfavorable impress ! which the most disagreeable of ali possi ; strangers could produce, j But the first ap:K-arance of Old Shara j as dirty a; over, clothed ina long, frow J gray ovo? coat, with Iris pug dog at his bc ; and his smoke-blackened pipe in his mon : with a tall white hat on his head, wh ? looked as if it hud been picked up in a gu ti ? a hideous leer in his eyes, and a jaunty t ! in his walk-*ook her so completely by s j prise that she could only return Mood I trien Hy greeting bv sil-T.tly or?*.ih-c j hand As for Moody's companion, TO h j at him io? a second time wes more than : ! had resolution to do. ?She kept her e; ? fixed on the pug dog, and with good reas< j so far as appearances went, be was ?ai j putably liv? nosier animal of the two. ; Under the circumstances, the iu-ervi j threatened to begin in a very embarrass] ; maimer. Moody; disheartened by Isalx i silence, made no attempt to set the couver I tion going: ho looked as if he meditate?! ! hasty retreat to tho railroad station whi j be had just loft Fortunately he had at j side the right man (for once) in the ri: I place. Old Sharon's effrontery was equal [ any emergency: j "I am not a nice-looking old mnn, i i dear, am IT he said, hering at Isa!-.-! wi ! cunning, half-dosed eyes. "Bliss your h a: ? you'll soon get uied to me. You see. I s i thr sort cf color, as they say at the lin ! drapers*, that doesa'r wash, well It's : j through love; upon my lifo it* isl Early : this present century I had my young alfi j tions blighted, and I've neglected my? ever since. Disappointment lakes diff?re ; forms, miss, in different mea. 1 don't thi: j I liav? liad lieart enough to bii:-h my Lc I for tho last fifty ye.;rs- She was a mu j ni fleer.*', woman. Mr. Mooly, and - ! dropsied me like ft h'-t j>otaio. Drea%fi ! dreadful! Let us pursue this painful sa ! joe: no further. Ila! here's a i retiy ::?? ! try! Hera's a n:'c"- blue .-ky! i a I mire the country, miss; ? see so li*tie of ? you know. Have you any objection tows ! along into the fields? The rlelds, my dor. ' brinx out ali the rx^etry of m.- natur j Where's the dog? Here. Puggy! Pugg ? hunt about, my man, and find son: . d< ! grass. Ibvs his inside ~ood. von know, aft i a meat diet in London. Lord! how i fe j my spirits rising in this fir. 'air! !)..>?..; tr, complexion look any brighter, mi*;' W; j you run a race with me. Mr. Moo ly, or wi ! von oblige me with a bark at leap f."o;r? F: ! not mad; my dear young lady: I'm on! ! merry; I live, you seo, in the London stinl ! and the Knell of the hedges and thc wii \ flowers is too much for me at firs'. It ge ! into my head, it does. Pm drunk! As 1 lix j by bread, i'm drunk on fresh air! Ob! whj . a jcd?y day! Oh! ho?-young and innocent j do feel!'3 H<Te his innocence got tho- l>ettt j of him. and he began to sing: "I wish I wi j a little fly. in my love's bosom for to lie . "Hullo! here we are on the nice soft gras ! and, oh, my gracious! there's a bank runnin j down into a hollow! I cap t stand that, yo I know, i-.'r. Moody, hold my har. and lui j the greatest <**!r>' of il. lit.ro goes l'or a ro down the bum: !" j He handxl hi? hprribJe hat to theastoi ? ished Moody, laid bin:; elf Hat 0!i the top ( ! th-.- bank, and ?b-lil erately rolhsi down i ': exactly as he might have doue wheu he wt i i>?:y. Thc-'..dis'of.his long gniy ooat Ce' I madly ir: ;h- wind: rue dog pajsi'-l hit: j jumping nv: .. bim. and biirrii;^ wi?u dvlighi j he "shouted-.JUid screamed iv. ausv.er t-? j th.g, us he rotted over mid over faster :?n i fas?'-r: and when h* got up "*? ;ht> ??-v< j grour.-b'mid called o it che?rf-uJiy lo his e??n j {'mnions standing above him, "? savj vo j two. I feel twenty years younger already 3 human gravi'y could hold out no longei j The sa 1 and silent Moody smile !, and i..abt . burst into fits of laughter, j "There," he said, "u.dn't I tell you yo ! would got u--'J to me. miss? There's ii grea j deal of lifo l"!'t in the <>! ? niau yet i>n I tj.-Ti-r Shy m? my hat. Mr. M>??dj j Ant? now we'll get to bu auoss!" i'fy t;:r;i*> I robnd lo the dog stilt barking athis heel) i "Business, Buggy!" be failed out, sharp's ! and Buggy instantly shut his* mouth-, au ! said t;o mo;-e j . V> : h\ /. . "." Oid Sharon resumed, xvhe ! he bab >i::e*I his friends and had goth ; breath uga'n. "let's have a littio talk ?I?>OJ; i yourself, miss, ?bus Mr. M.?; ly told ye ?; v. ho 1 am, ii.nl what I y.'atil '-x..: 1, y.>:li Ver ? May 1 offer you my ?rnif >Ia: V<> ! Ji!:'- in in- in<if|>eiideiit. don't, you.' AU rigl j -i doa'! obj-;, i. 1 am an amiable old man ! l ani. A'tiout. this Laely bydbjrd. ?)-<w? Sur ? j.r.s" you tell tuc how you first got aequaiiite j v.i?b h^Tf'1 j In ??>m'- surprise nt this rjU'"'st;on. IsaU j {o)d her little story, Obs?*rx*in^ Sharon j fHe*' vyhile ?he xvas sj^-aking. Mo? N ly sa xv :?ei ; JIP x\.i< tu t. paying the smalbvst. ?itretitio:; r ! ?h** uarr?tlve. ?Jis sharp, shaniei'-ss b]r,c I eves watclu?! 'he ga*I"s face nbsen'lv; hi ; gross lips citrlcl upxviird in a sardouic ani I seb -sarisiied smile. He was evidently settin? i a trap for her of some kind. Wiilimit. a xvor< I of warning-while .?sial-?el was in then i-i) ! of a st-nt**iN'e- thc trap openet?, with th i C'P^mug of < Hd Sharon's lips. ? "*J say!" ii?* burst out, ""how came youl? j seal ?. r J;tdv>hip's let ter-eh?" I The i{wtv%tio:i bor? no sort of relation, di ' rect or mdhect, to w-hat Isalx-l happene?i U be say ng at tho moment, in the sudden sur? prise of hearing it, she started and fix -d her eyes in astonishment on Sharon's faee. Tho old vagabond chuckled to himself. "Did you soe that f he whispered to Moody. "I beg your pardon, miss," he went on; "I won't interrupt you again. Lord, how inter? esting it is!-aim:, it, Mr. Moody i Please to go on. miss." 3ut Isabel though she spoke with perfect sweetness and temper, declined to go on. "I had better tell you, sir. how I came to seal her ladyship's letter," she said. "If J may vesture on giving my opinion, thal ?art of my story seems to be ihe only part ol it whioh relates to your business -with me to? day." Without further preface sho described the circumstances which had led to her assuming the perilous responsibilty of sealing tho Iet> . ter. Old Sharon's wandering attention be I gan to wander agaiu; be was evidently occu? pied in setting another trap. For the second tune he interrupted Isabel in the middle of a sentence. Suddenly stoppi-ig short he pointed to some sheep at the farther end of the field through winch they happened to be passing at t!:e moment. "There's a pretty sight!" he said. "There are the innocent sheep a-fceding-all follow? ing each other as usual; and there's the .-.ly dog waiting behind the gate tili the sheep wane his services. Reminds me of Old Sharon and thc public." Pie chuckled over his d?seovery of the remarkable similarity between t he sheep dog and himself, and the sheep and the public, and Then burst upon Isabel with a second question: "T say! didn't you look at the letter before you sealed it?" "Certainly not," Isabel answered. '"Not even at the address?" "No." '.Thinking of something else-eh?" "Very likely." said Isabel. "Was it your new bonnet, my dear?" Isabel laughed "Women" are not al ! ways thinking of their now bonnets," she j answered. Old Sharon, to all appearance, dropped tho subject there. He lifted his Jean, brown forefinger and pointed again, this time to a j house at a short distance iron: them. "That's a farm house, surely," he said. "I'm thirsty, after my roil down the hill Do you think, i miss, they would give me a drink of milk?" "I am sure they would,'' said Isabel. "I know the people. Shad I go and ask them?" -Tiiank you, my dear. One word more before you go. About the sealing of that ! letter; what cou ld you have been thinking of I while you were doing it?" He looked hard j at her, and took her suddenly by the arm \ "Was it your sweetheart?" he asked, in a I whisper. I .?jjp Jjj?^ ! /^??^^k^ lt/ \ mmM W\y \ \\Mj || if "Was it your sweetheart f he ashed. Theq?estion in.-tantly reminded I-abe! that j she hau Iwn thinking of Hardy-nan w?iie : she seaied the lotter. She blushed as the re ! membrance crossed her mind Robert, no ! ticing her embarrassment, .-.pose sharply to i Old Sharon. "You have no right to put j such a question to a young lady," he said. I "lie a little more careful for the future." ! "There! there! don't be hard ou me." j pieadv?d the oki rogue. "An ugly old man , like mo mav-make bis innocent little joke : eh, miss? Fm sure you*retr<?sw?ei?T?nit"ered ! to oe angry when I meant no offense. Show ! me that you bear no malice, (TO. like a for . giving young a:v."*-i. and ask for the milk." I Nobody appealed to Isabel's sweetness of i temper in yiiin. "I will do it with pleasure.1' ? sh? iaid, and hastened away to the iann ! house. CH Al TER XIV. i j The instant Isabel was out of hearing Old j Sharon slapped Moody on the shoulder tc j rouse his attention, "i've goi ti-r out of t!ie . way," he said: "now listen to me. My btisi i ness with tn? young angel is done; i may gc \ I a<-k to London." I Moody looked ht him in astonishment, j "Lord! how little you know of thieves!" j exclaimed Old Sharon. "Why. man alive, I I have tried her w.th two plain tost*. If you ! wanted a proof of her innocence, there it j was, as plain as the nose on your face. Did j you hear me ask her how sha came to seal the j lotter, just whoa tier mind -was ranniag on j something else?" j *'I heard you," said Moody. ! "Did vou see how she started and stared at ! me/" j "I did." "Well. I can tell yon this: If she ??d sto'eri : the money she would neither have .-.tarted j nor stared. She would have had her answer j ready beforehand in her own mind, in case ol ; aceidents. Theres only cm? thing, in my ex '. perience, that you can never do with a thief, I when the thief happens to r>e a woman-you I caa never take ber by surprise. Pat that ra ; ?nark by in your mind: one day you may I find a use for remembering it Did you set I her blush, and look quite hurt in her feel ! ings. pretty dear, when i asked about hei i sweetheart* Do you think a thief, in hoi j p'ace, would have shown such a face as that . Not she! The thief w.aild have been re i lit-ved. The thief would have said to her ? self: 'Ail right: the more the old fool tal lei ; about sweethearts the furl her he ls fron : tracing the robbery to me.' Yes! yes! tb< grounds cleared now, Master Mood;.'; I v< reckoned up tho servants; I've ouestionec Mi ss Isabel ; I've made my inquiries in af the other quarters that may be useful to us? an d what's the result? Tho advice I gave when you and the lawyer first came to me ? bate that fellow!-remains as sound an< goo ? advice as ever. I have got the thief ii my mind," said Old Sharon, closing his cun : ng eyes and then owning them again, "a p.'aia as I've got you in my eye at this min ute. No more of that now," he went on looking round sharply at the path that le to the farm house; "I've something partier !ar to say to you. and there's barely lime t say it lie! ore that nice giri come-. I Kiele Loo here! do you happen ti b" acquainted wit Mr. Hardyman's valet'?-' iloody s ey.-s rested On Old Sharon with scar--bii g and* doubtful look. . Mr. i lard j-man's valet:" ho rv-pent/rd " wasn't prepared to hear Mr. Hardymau nam-'."' ( "ld Sharon lookfJ at. Moody, in lus tun with a fiasb of sardonio triumph. "Oho!" be sjiid; "has my go;?d boy lennie his lesson? 1*0 yon see the uiief through iii spectacles ali>*a?Iy i" / "i began io .-.?. him," Moody ansvyei*ei "when -"U gav - us the guinea opinions your lodgings." "Wi li you whisper his name?" a-k -1 Ol Sisaron. "No: yet. 1 distrust ny own judgmen VW wait till time proves 'iin? y?>*.i i ? n di!." < >.il Sharon km'od . si wig; y br .w-. an shook his In no, ..ii" yon only had littj more d.--:i . nd g ? tn ;.'.!),* ho s:.?d. "yd wi-uld fi fdeviT fellow. .\- i* .- " J, lbi:Sh. d iii . SenteU/v hy ?mnppivg h> ?ngei willi a grin ol" i- ?nt' .,ir-l. "Le's gel io hus ness. Aie you going har): by the :?. .\'t (rai along wit li ni", or ale y-u going to siop w;t th'-> young lady :" .J wii.i Coi io A- you by a later ? r*? in." M<HH1 aus1' . /cd. "Th"*i I unr-t gie.- youyur ?iiK|:r:i.*i.??ms'a Oll'.'r, " Sb'M'Ol! cont : 1, 111 ?. I. "Yoli get bri?v ne??unint d with Imrdy:r?an*.s v?i ? L-n Lim ni?.mw >I h** wants i: ; sti -k ut noiidugl make :i l?os<u*i friend of iiim. I eau't'io tba yiar? of ; my a opearen^ would !>o again: n.i* j Vf are theman: you are r-.:.;?.: tat>] from the top of your hat f> thc lij.f of yon ! (>?>!s; ri"!.'-lr woidd siLspe:-! you. DMI make "b?e?'tK?tis! Cai? you [ix thc v.-de'. i ' can't yi?i; ? -*J '.an trv." said Moolv. "And wh tia-nr (dd Snnrot; )>ut his gros=; bps dis;tgreeabi . Jose io . .dv's ea?'. '-Your friend tlie?valet eau tel! yon iv! Lis niaii*'hankers are," he said ;__ "and I can supply you with a specimen of his . ter'* banrl writ ing. " Moody drew back as suddei?y ns i vagabond companion had put a knife ? throat, "You old villain/' he said: "ar tempting me to forgery?' "You infernal fool:'' retorted 0/d Sh j "IVdl you hold that long tongue of y : and hear what I have to say.' You % ' Hardyman's bankers, with a note in K: i man's handwriting (exactly imitated b; i to this effect: Mr. II. presents his cu ; meats to Messrs. So-and-So. and is not ; certain whether a payment of live hui j pounds has buen mud- within tho bist i to his acc< -uut. lie will be much obiig ! Messrs, So-and-So v,-ill inform him by ? : in reply whether there is such au entry 1 j credit in their books, and by whom tba j mont bxs liten made. You wait for , banker's answer, and bring it to me. j just possible that the name you re afra ! whisper may appear ia the letter. If it j we've caught our man. is that forgery. ; Mud'Umead Moody? TM tell you what ; had lived to be your age, and knew no ' i of thy world than you do, I'd go and ; myself. Steady" here's our charming fi . with the milk. Remember \*our instruct ] and don't lose heart if my notion of the j ment to the hankel's comes to nothin; : know what to do next, iu ihat case : what's more, I'll lake aii the risk and trt on my own shoulders. Oh, Lord! I'm ai : 1 shall be obliged to drink the milk, nov come." ; With this apprehension in his mind, hi i vanced to relieve isabji of Lbj jug she j ried. j "Hero's a treat !" he burst ont, with ar i fectatiou of joy which was completely b j by the expression of his dirty face. "H ! a kind and clear young lady, to help an ; man to a drink with her ovni pretty han : He paused, and iooked at tho milk very n i as he might have iooked at a dose of ph; ? "Will any one take a drink iirst?" he as i one-ring the jug piteously to Isabel Moody. "You see, I'm nor used to gen ; milk : I'm used to chalk ruad water. 1 c j know what elfect th:> unadulterated ! might have oa my poor old inside.'' i tested the milk with the greatest caul j "Upon my soul, this Ls roo rich for me! i unadulterated cow is a deal too strong b I drunk alone. if 3*ou'il allow me. I'll qut j it with a drop of gin. Here. Puggy ! Pug: I He set the milk do" .'n before the doz, I taking a fLsk out of his pocket, orup tied j a draught. "That's something like !" he s j smacking his lips with ito air of infinite lief. "So sorry, miss, to have given yoi j your trouble for nothing; it's mv ignora ! that's to blame, not me. I couldn't kne i was unworthy of genuine milk till I tri' j could I- And do you know}"' he procoe : with his eye directed slyly on the way ba<? j the station, "i begin to think i'm not wo: j of the fresh air, either. A kind of alon; i seems to come over me for the London st j I'm homesick already for tho soot of ! happy childhood and my own dear na mud The air here is too thin for me, ? the sky too clear; and-oh. Lord!-vt ; you're used to the roar of tho traffic : 'busses and the cans and what not j silence in these parts is downright awful j wish you good evening, miss, and get bac. j London." Isabel turned to Mooly with disappc j ment plainly expressed in her face and n ! ner. "Is that ell he bas to sayf she asl "You told me he could help us. You led to suppose he could lind the guilty person. Sharon heard her. "i could name guilty person,'' he answered, "as easby, ix j asl could name you" j "Why don't you do it, then?' Isabel I quired, not very patiently, j "Because the time's not ripe for it ; i miss-that's one reason. Because, if I n j tioned the thief's name, as tilings are n you. Miss Isabel, would think me mad; j you would toll Mr. Moody 1 had cheated 1 . out of his money- thats another reas ' The matter's in train, ii you wiii only wa little longer. " "So you say," Isabel rejoined. "If ; really could name the thief, I believe ; would do it now.'' She turned away with a frown on ? pretty face. Old Shaton lollowed 1 j hb*en his co.-irse sensibilities appeared to I the irresistible ascendency of beauty ? j youth , j "i say!" he began, "we must parc frier , I vou know, or I shall break my heart over : They have got- milk at the farm house. i you th.uk they havo go: pen, ink and paj tooi" Isabel answered, without turning to 1< at him. "Of course they have." j "And a lit of sealing-wax?' , j "1 dare say." Old Sharon laid his dirty claws on i i shoulder, and forced her to face him as i best means of shaking them olL i "Corr." aion-z'"" h? S??C?. "I am fcoing pacify you with some iuforrnation in wj mg."' ; "Why should you write it? ' Isabel ask suspiciously. "because I mean to make my own con lions, my dear, before X iel you into I 1 secret. ' L lu ton minutos more they were all three the farm house parlor. Nobody but ! : ' farmer's witt* was at home. The good v man trembled from head lo foot at the sh ! of Old Sharon. In ali her karmles-? life > ! bad never yet seen humauity under the 1 j peet in which it was now presented to h j "Mercy .'Preserve us, miss!*'.-he whispered ' j isabel, "how com.- you to be in such co > pany as thu:f'\ InstiTioted by Isabel. * produced li..' necessary materials for writi and sea.ing, and, that done, sb? shrank aw to the door. "Please to .-x-msc me. mis elie said, with a last norri lied look ar her v? t-rab?.- vbi:.-r: "I really can't stand th" si;; of such a blot of dirt as that in my nb " I c.'ean parlor." With these wort I i she disa > j t-eared! and was seen no more i I Perfectly iudilferent to ?ii.- reception. C , j Sharon wrotei. inclosed what he had wriit j j in an envelop*, and scaled it tin th:- abseil ? ! of anything botter fitted for his parpe , ? with th- mouthpiece of his pipe. 1 j "Now. miss," he s?;d "von give me yo " , word cf honor*-he stopped and lo*>k?.iI rou: . ! at Moody, with a grin-"and yo:: give i - j y cairs, that you won't either of you break t .li sfu! on this envelope- Till The expiration j one week from tho pn-srnt day. These a the conditions. Miss isab .!. on which 1 " ?Hv va your inform?ti-ou. Ifyou-tiop ? ! dispute with nie, the (randlos alight, and 1 l" ? burn the letter." i, j It was useless to contend.with -him. Ism :1 j and MoV-cv gav.* him the promis.- \h:? ; [_ ; remire i. Kehaml'-d the s a-c-l euvelo?*. Q j Isa*!-?-! iv ?th a !.?'-?>' hew. "U h -;j rh ? wivfc .. '. om." !:.. sal 1. "you v.-iil oe.h !*::. a --h-vcr \ fellow than voil tb ink tut nv.v.-. Wi-h yt k ' goo*! --v.-mp.e-. -ni-. ' orne ab-'n.i Pugg I jPfir-'w?Ji io Ta-' !:?"''.!. e!t-aii ."?.un"ry. :U a ba.""-: ri M?O t?? 'iv nice bondon ^ uk;" j ib- ??odd :'J to M.ly i: . 1-i at Isa! .J: -he ..buckled himself -lt:) Wit th for .. ' house; _ CH.A I'TICK xv. Isai-a l.B?k.-d ib? iv in :;. liv letter in li d hand. considered it in s?lcutv. '.nd turiioi y Mo??ly. "1 feel le.npietl to open it already the said. 1. 'A fl-T K-i vlf ii your promise.'' Moody e.cuLl it retitoiisiraied. Is.ii.ctl me: that cbjecti >n .villi a Hornau d - ii-vii.'. ' "I 'o- s u !?'.'-misc mn' : she aie i. "whr t. .. _i .. tts b ;. . a .:ir. .. ?;;.-...-p. it a!"-, p-'-im tu- Wi-.-ft h !:!... *d?" Seat >.: ' .('.:. ivb;i.}. r! me lt.at. ires;. . .: ..; a .-r--.-il.tr . lt. vy.-;:M-.,'; ! ' u : "?-J-ti.:.-i bibi y.,'. as VoU ....' .. fj.ns\.?*r*-d, ':.-.) I iii ? s*i.\ it:m . loiotp in -s with;Mr Troy, -.ut tit .?. v.a.int.; i i- l.li.v?idvi.v b-* gavins at .-.v:-u!::i ic u vybicJi fi!??M-?".l my i>pit?i'-Tt of ?om o r ti h I--: .-f. ? ij'siik.- ?its a pp -ar:? i;>-. aii-1 h ' manners .-i- tcueh ns \----t ?!" I mav i \vn sa y I fe?", as?iaii.e-i ot" bro: Mt-b a ??-r>..i '. S.--?* v...-. A: d vc: I ....in'.: think tltal 1 b.".v it fifi.* i ia:>-. .,:.-.'v ia .-' i;-!ov .n- Mr. S .aroe." .r ?sn??-? ?;<?t-n'?"? ..t.svfiliv. Sit? liad >...'. d th-.i: ? ?re a--.av and si.-- .tas ....iisi.t.-rm o ho?- sb-* -Ito-iid sav o'. ".May i ask you a ?..ti il m?-si:-"it -it . i"gatt. t **.\i?. . .ii*--* t - .a t '-M liia-." 3 .'itav.* you-" Slr- Limita:M an>1 lo ?ko ''" embatyas-eil ' llave v->:i ps. ? Mr. S?i.il'" . mu -h mon -y?" sh" (...smned si. Ide:?'v ra'K " i't'r iiet" ..?'lur.igx htsr."T? ..' i..|...v?>ri|'*? M.....?V -i:-----?'i '?lat i" was liai" ."'he '* Ci' r--turamur ?--> Miss P.adi's va'i. "You nant mav l^j getting tinxe -u -aboiit you. h :-v saM. T a'oe! led lite wav oaf, of :b<~- f ?-*".v h'>"S 10 . in silence. Sho revter-tes! to Mr. Sharon an ie ' tho money, however, as they returned by thu . path across the fields. "I am sure yon will not be offended with mo." she said, gent?v, "if I o-vn that I am ; uneasy about the expenses. I am allowing i you to uso vour purse as if it were mine, and ; I have hardly- any savings of my own." Moody entreated ber not to speak of it. "How can I put mr money to a latter use than in serving your interest-; ?" he asked. "My one object in life is to relieve you of ; your present anxieties. I shall be tho hap? : piest man living if you only owe a moment's happiness to my exertions." Isabel took his hand, and looked at him , with grateful tears in her eyes. "How good you are to me. Mr. Moody!" ?ho said. "I wish I could tell you how deeply j I feel your kindness." ; "You can do it easily." he answered, with : a simla "Call me 'Robert;' don't call me ; 'Mr. Mordy.'" She took his arm with a sudden familiarity I that charmed him. "If you had boen my brother I should have called you 'Robert.'" ; she said; "and no brother could have boon ! moro devote! to me than you are.'7 He looked eagerly at her bright face turned ; np to his. "May I never hope to be some? thing nearer and dearer to you than a ; brother F he asked, timidly. ! She hung her head and said nothing. : Moody's memory recalled Sharon's coarse reference to her "sweetheart." She had , blushed when be put the question. What \ had she done when Moody put his question? ? 'Her fae; answered for her-shy had turnad j pale; she was looking more serious than j usual Ignorant as he was of thc ways of j women, his instinct told him tba1: this was a ? bad sign. Surely har rising color would j have confessed it. if time and gratitude io ' gether were teaching her to love him? He sighed as the inevitable conclusion forced it : st-If on his m iud. : "I hope I have not offended your" ho said, i sadly. j "Oh. no." j "I wish I had not spoken. Prav don't > think that I am serving you with any selfish j motive." j "I don't think that, Robert I never ? could think it of yoiC : He was not cuite satisfied vet "Even if j yon were to marry some other iran." ho j went on. earnestly, "it would make no diflfer I euee in what I am trying to do for you. No i matter what 1 might suifer. I should still go ; on-for your sake." j "Why do you talk SOY** she burst out, pas : sionately. "No othor man hos such a claim ; ss yours to my gratitude and regard. How . can you let stich thoughts come to you? I : have done nothing in secret. I have no ; friends who are rot known to vou. Re satis : ned with that, Robert, and iet us drop thc j sub-pet" j "Viever to take it up again?" he a>kcd. i with the infatuated pertinacity of a mai] . clinging to his last ho^y?. j At other times and under other circum j seances isab-I might ha-'e answered him I sharply. Shs spoke with perfect gentleness ; now ; "Not for the present." she paid "I don'? j know my own heart. Give me rime." ili.s gratitude caught at those words, a ; the drowning man is said to catch at tho pro j verbial straw. He lifted her hand. anr' i suddenly and fondly pressed his lips on it : She showed no confusion Was she sorr; ! for him, poor wretch!-and was that all? I They walked on ur n in arm, in silence. Crossing the lasl field, they entered agair j on the high rood leading to the row of villa ; in which Miss Pink lived. The minds o; j both "were preoccupied. Neither of then noticed a gentleman approaching on horse . back, follow*! by a mounted groom. H< ; was advancing slowly, at the walking pac* ! of Iris horse, and he only observed the tw< foot passengers when he was close to them. "Miss Isabel!" She started, lookel up, and discovered Alfred Hardy man. He was dre-sed in a perfectly made travel j ing suit of light brown, with a peaked fel j hat of a darker shade of the same color j which, in a picturesque sense, greatly im ! proved his persona! appearance. His pleastm j at dis--overing Isabel gave the animation ti ! his features which tiley wanted on ordin?r occasion-:. He sat his horse. a~superl> hunter easily and gracefully. His light amber-col orel gloves fitted h'm perfectly. His obe d'k-nt servant, on another magnificent horse waited behind him. Ho locked tho imper sonation of rank and breding, of weait? and prosperity. What a contrast, in : woman's eyes, to the shy, pale, mclancbol; man in the ii:-d:tiug black clothes, with th wandering, imeasy glance; who stood beueatl him and felt, and showed that ho felt, his in ierior position keenly! In spite of herself the treacherous blush flew over Isabel's face in Moody's presence, and with Moody's eye distrustfully watching her. .'This is a piece of good fortune that hardly hoped for,'' said ilardymoix, his cool quiet-, ilreiiry way of speaking quickened, a usual, hi Label's presence. "I only got bacJ from France this morning, and I called oi Lady Lydiard in the hop,.- of seeing you. Sh was not at home, and you were in the COUD try. :*id the servants didn't know thoaddres: I could gel nothing ou: of them, except tba you were on a visit toa relation.' Kelooke at Mo? ?dy v. nile he w as speaking. "Haven' i sc'-u voil ..ei'or.'i " lie said, carelessly. " Ye at L ? dy Lydiard's. You ro her steward, ar you not? How d'ye do." Moody, with hi eyes on the ground, answered sdeutiy by bow. iiardyman. perfectly indiilerea whether Lady Ly.im.-ds steward speke o not , turned on his saddle and kvked admii mgly at Lal>el "I begin to ihaik mylae ha? turned ai last " h .- wen; on. with asmilt "1 was jogging along to my farm .and dc ispauing P> ever seeing Miss Isabel again und Mis. Label h-tveif meets mo at the ronc side! 1 wander whu uer you are as glad t seo me as 1 run to s?*e your You won tte mo, ear May I ask yon something else.'-?a you staying in cur neighborhood?" There was no alternativo before fsaKd bt; to answer this last question. ?iardyman ha met her out walking; mad had no do-ul irawu th" inevitable inr'erenee, although a; was too polite io say so in plain words. "Yes. s;r.v she au-wer.-d. shyly; "I an Jtayiug i : rbis neighborhood." "And who is vour rein;i'm?" Har.'lytnai proceded: ;.! hi>oasv. matter-of-.-omv- way "Lady Lydiard told av. when I had th pleasu'v of m-v-tiug you at lier h >u?e tba you had au ama" living in the country. Iiawa g.^vl nv mo:-/. NS b:d-d f. v "??-:' thing in.. ?.?oar abour yi>u. 1: ; ymir aunt isn't il.' Yes? 1 know e. er vb? ??ty ab >u hore. iVkat is vour cilia's nar.ud ' ... /- ."..': - 4 1 i Va;V ' ?,. '.-> .'? .. \ ? ::i'V \ '; >* ;{ S m A : -./S..---.-', -r-. [??/ -X J . ... V r . : ; ' f?? S ;?/\'' ' - ; - -.. \ \- > i ! ? ? \ \ .. U j*' . - 'A p.Vc." nf .T.*n.,7 !',.> -fun/> thnl 1 har-'l ?iiio. ?; ' jiii? i Httril>;i)ii>it. Isa1?-', still ' h .-. hand on U^'-*rt -!'!.:''..; i: i-r.'ei-!' :r !i';!e as llardyma vu! lld; last h',, ip--.-. if sh'? had !'".> . . k 'n ; on?? o? ?i .:. ?-oua Js >!i . w?>ul?l ha.v U"Wn how dv-po?.? :.? J5I?? ??U'*stii"i wir! 'i' de-"-d ;n;--\. ing i:. !;,;t what cm i . y-v to th mag nib-e :t g.vui.-mci ?.:: ;!: at. !'. h-.? -g h ..! .-liv s.-M.I ? -en MtiM'.-' t/.i.* vidigc t?x.asl; v h < f??e v-.OMTi i !-.- ?rom l.?i-t '; .M staving with and tl iiswer. in a ?lo;eni mouihs a* b-i<r. w??u' i i---.-t him to lu"* aunt. SI;P ?.:!-: one :ii div-.' ! ... 'i -"Iv. THI p.'o-'ou'.vvd ti .-.i .I.?.U" i ?;.'..UCA.?. .ul... . ....... j "MKS Pink!" Hardyiaan rup^Vxt "Surely j I know-Mks Pink." ' {lit,- hai n<>t tho faiat ! est ^membrance of herj "Where did I J meet her last?" (IL- ran over ii his memory j the different local festivals at winch stran I gets bad been introduced to him.; "Was it at the archery uieoling, or at trw grammar j schoot when the- prizes were given f >'o? j It nlu-t have been at tbs flower show, then. surelyf It had boen at thi flower shew. Isabel J had heard it from Miss Pink fifty times at I leas*--, and was obiicred to admit it how. i "I am quite ashamed of never having ! called,'5 Hardymau proceeded. "The fact is, I have -o much to do. I sm a bal one at i paying visits, Are you 0:1 your way home? Let me follow voa and make my apologies personally to Misa Pink" Moody looked at Isabel It wa*- only a momentary glance, but she perfectly under? stood it "I am afraid, sir. my aunt cannot have tba honor of seeing you to-day," she said. Hardyman was all compliance. He smiled ? and patted his horse's neck. "To-morrow. j then," he said "My compliments, and I wiil call in the afternoon. Let me seo; Miss Pink lives at-" He waited, as if he ex? pected Isabel to assist his treacherous mem? ory once more. She hesitated again. Hardy man looked round at hi3 groom. The groom could find out the address, even if he did noe happen to know it already. Beria-?, there was the little row of houses -visible at the j farther cad of the road Isabel pointed to j the villas, as a necessary concession to gool J manners, before the groom could anticipate her. "My aunt lives there, sir, at the house called Tho Lawn." "Ah? to be sure," said Hardyman. "I oughtn't to have wanted reminding; but I have so manv things to think of at the farm. And I am afraid I must be getting old; my memory isnt as good as it was. I am so glad to have seen you, Miss Isabel. You and your au ut must com3 and look at my horses. Do you like horse"? Are you fond of riding? I have a quiet roan mare that is ujed to carrying ladies; she would be just the thing for you. Did I beg you to give my best compliments to your aunt ? Yes? How well you are looking! our air here agrees with you. I hope I haven't kept you stand? ing too long? I didu't think of it in the pleasure of meeting you. Good-by, M?> Isabel-good-by till to-morrow." ' j He took off his hat to Isabel, nodded to ! Moody, and pursued his way to the farm. I Isabel looked at her companion. His eyes ; were still on the ground Pale, silent, . ! motionless, he waited by her like a dog, '. J until she gave the signal of walking on again . i toward the house. . ; "You are not angry with me for speaking i to Mr. Hardyman ?" she asked, anxiously. Ee lifted his head at the sound of her voice. "Angry with you, my dear! Why i should I be an-^ry?" "You seem so changed, Robert, since we met Mr. Hardyman. i couldn't help speok t ing to bini, could Ir"* J "Certainly not." They moved on towards the villa. Isabel : was still uneasy. There was something in j Moody's silent submission to all that she said ? i and all that she did which pained and humili ? ? ated her. "You're not jealous f" she said, . I smiling timidly. He tried to speak lightly, on his side. "1 r have no time to be jealous while I have your affairs to iook after," he answered. She pressed his arm tenderly. "Xever 1 fear, Robert, that new friends will make me 5 forget the best and dearest friend who is now - at my side." She paused, and looked up at . him with a compassionate loudness that was very pretty to see. "? can keep out of the 9 way to-morrow when Mr. Hardyman calls," 3 she said "It is my aunt he is coming to see, > not me," It was generously meant. But while her mind was only occupied with the present - time. Moody's mind was looking into thc future. He was learning the hard lesson o? self-sacrifice already. "Do what you think t right," he said, quietly; "don't think of me.1 They reached the gate of tho villa, He held out his hand to say good-by. "Won't you come in?5' she asked "Do . come kv' "Xot now, my dear. I must get back tc j Loudon as soon as I can. There is some more I work to be done for you, and the sooner I do I it the better." t?ho heard his excuse without heeding it. "You are not like yourself. Robert," ste said "Why is it? What are you thinking of? He was thinking of the bright blush that overspread her face when Hardyman first j spoke to her; he was thinking of the invita j lion to her to see the stud farm, and to rid? j the roan mare; he was thinking of the utterly j powerless position in which he stood toward Isabel and toward the highly born gentle man who admired her. But he kept hi doubts and fears to himself. "The trait won't wait ?or me," he said, and held out hi5 band once more. She was not only perplexed, abe was really distressed "Don't take leave of me in thai I cold way!'' she pleaded. Her eyes dropped before his, and ter lips trembled a littra. "Give me a kiss, Robert, at parting." She ?aid those bold words softly and sadly, out of the depth of her pity for him. He started; his face brightened suddenly; his sinking ? hope rose again. In another moment the change came; in another momeut he undcr . -tond her. As he touched her cheek wich hA i lips he turned pale again. "Don't quite for j -jet me." ha said, in lovv-, faltering tones, and i left her. j 31 iss Pink met Isabel in the hall. Refreshed j bv unbroken lep?se, the ex-schoolmistress j was in tho happiest frame cf mind ior the j reception of her nic-ce's news. 1 tuorme. i tha: Moody had traveled to South ! Moriien ..> per.-oralle "report the progress ot j the mauirii's. Mis.- Pink high!}' approved of I him as a Substitute for Mr. Troy; "Mr. j Moodv. asa ha n ker's son, is a gentleman bv j birth."vho remarked: "he has condescended j in bei ..niiu-r Lady Lydiard's steward. What ! rsiiw ?if him. when ho came here with you. } preposM>.-o ' me in his favor. He has my j ror.fidi nee. I-abo!, as well as yours: he is in I every re.-ptvt a superior ix-rson ti-? Mr. Troy, j Dill you mo t any friend-, my dear, when j you were oar walking**1 I 1 ho answer TO 1 h bf* question produced a j species of transformation in M ss Pmk. Th." I raptar, us rank-w.^rship of her nature feasted; ? so to sp.-a!-:, on Ha ruy m. a n's nv-ssage. She ! looktvl "tailer and younger than usual: she j was -d' smJlesmnl sweetness. "At las*. ISU'.H-I. I you hawse, ti birth and br-vdinsr un?lor their j right-aviver," she said. "In th* society of j L'dy Lydia:d von cannot p-'ssibly have formed l'ui'i-c-? ide- sof the lv?rlhsh ari-toe ra.*y. Ubser.... Mr. Hardyma't vhm be ?oes m . tl-.:- honor m fall* tu-morrow. and you wi!! see 'hedi?Tereni'e." "Mr. Han:-, tuan :-. yourvi-uror. J--mr. not min". ! w-?>.'j:ni?-c to ask y.ni to let nw r?* iii":': :T:> ors in n:v jv?.?m."* Vi , p.n;.; was nr.aifr- ?.- diy sh.vked, "Tins *s w:..?..: ;.>>;; v..ru ai La.!?' IA .bard's." she 0 t<-\,..\ ..>;... !>a^t-l. y??ur absvn?*e would \- ?. b;v::oh < : g?>v? mrmiau's; 1 cannot pos si! -ly ; ru :i; it. Wu v. ?ll W? present to re cvb '. our .! si??;guish"? friend with me. And mind, : ti's." add ttl Miss Pink. if. her most im mn;HUT. "if Mr. Hurdynnn should ..y. anv .'ITIT?CC ask why you have left Lad- Lydia.-,!, not one word about those dis gr-me:u] ?'iivun:sr:mi-?s wai-h oor.titvt you with .!:.. ?0.. thc hank note! Ishould sink into the enr?a if ihr smailes*: bin" of what bas !"b:;,-;!y Ur.p: cn-*d shouM rt-v h Mr. Hardy rnni'V ?"."?rs. My ,-hild. 1 srae.il towards you in thc plac- of your lam?-nt?xl mother. 1 hav." Th--righi t" rt ams'.and your silence br ihi-"iiioVvt. and 1 ?Io'imnerativeit commaudir.' Ill thCse WOlds foolish Ml-'* P?llk SOWC-1 th( s<-cd o r the ii :r'?cs" of trouble thai wusso-? to co.-nc. [TO :?!.: I'OXTIN:". !>.] The Decollete Bress. The ilocolleto tires? has grown lowe and lower with thc change of the Ad ministration, ami Jeffersonian si mp] ic ny lias m aile ii as opon as possible. ? was low cmm<r"? during Arthur's tim to sproul thc seeds of consumption ii manv " rV: ; r won: a ti's chest, but it i ..vim worse fhis '.mir, ami m many case there is iiotlviivg ouf. a strap ojrer Lb< shouider to l.oM up th.c low cut corsage "'.a.-jctv people htTtro l'ctnembcr how Mis Kitty Beach, whi-ni it was said youri; Ailaii Arthur was to marry, nearl can ?-ht her death at the White ll nus? .me n?Lrh?. "She c:?ine in a very low uct-hed Jtc'si, and went with youo; Arr h ur out into one of the colder haifa or on the porches, I have forgotten which. The winds struck he? an-d? she j was lani up for weeks-. lt is no wonder tb*t tf?ese W&shing \ tou belles shoe-Id be injured by their I mode o? dressing.* They wear darin? i the day the heaviest of cloth dresses and) i flan-nels. When they go oo the street* I they wrap themselves rn sealskin*, aod j if they do not wear eioaks tbey ha?? ! their shoulders and chests covered by j great heavy wraps or fur?. Warm eve? j to perspiration by streb dressing, as the cold night approaches they throw the?* off, and as far a? warmth is eraceraed they might as wett be attired ra tb? summer costume of an Indian squaw.-* Cleveland Leader. What Our Editors Say. There is much comment ia tfce State press on B. li. Tillman's Setters, most of it adverse. Mr. Tillman rs casually alluded to as a crank, a dreamer and ? dem agog ne. j We suppose he expected aW tb?. The uiao who has drains enough to look beyond tbe end of bis nose, originate and inculcate ideas and withdraw him? self from the mob that obediently fol? lows irs leaders, is always a mark for such commouplace epithets from com? monplace people. As a matter of fact. Mr. Tillman is not a crank, a dreamer or a demagogue. Me is a maa of pro? perty and affairs who earns a comfort? able support from the ground he tills, and could buy and seil most of those who attempt to hugh at bim. He is a shrewd, unpretentious, painfully practi? cal, hard headed and aggressive farmer, and neither pretends nor aspires to be anything else. He was one of the hardest and roughest of the riders ia the ?76 campaign when hard and rough riding was needed, and bas beeu siuee that time free in bis criti? cisms and prompt in demanding an? swers to plain questions from candi? dates. But he has never asked a vote for anything or consented to accept aa o?ce. "Who l-.es the Dresses? Aityx*ia~ Chronicle. A Chronicle correspondent this morn? ing has something to say upon reform in female dress, which will appeal to everything but the practice of our young women. They will admit the common seuse which advises less compression of the figure and less strain upon those portions of the body which are least able to bear them. They will confess that such custom causes unhappiness and leads to bad health ; that 'low dressing,' leaving out the question of propriety, exposes the person to violent colds ; but the court train will fall as usual from a narrow waist, and the *V shaped' bodice will suffer further elongation. It is natural for women to love to ; I dress. The best of them do. It would '. bc a small thing to take exception to 1 matters so entirely feminine, did sot * question bear so heavily upon the social condition of our people. When the women go wrong the whole world turns i oa its axis awry, the procession of ; planets is disturbed, and the universe slips its great eccentric. The genera? tion folio wiog an era of light, low drcss . ing must be a degenerate one in physi 1 cal vigor and manliness. The creatures ; of such fashion who sacrifice vitality ' and naturalness to depraved taste are j hampered not only in graceful move - ment, but in h eal ty sentiment and in ? morai tone. No doubt of that. Society becomes brilliant but brittle. There : is falling off in manners and in morals, t The social standard is lowered, young people grow careless and reckless and profligate, and the genius of borne, the I inspiration of all society, and tho hope of a country, degenerates into an evil spirit. Let us know who fits the dress? es and w(g,care oot who frames the laws. The style of dress is not alone an index of the standard of taste and the charac? ter of the people, it is a cause and a contributor to the general demoralized tendency. The waist that wrings "pro? tests from our doctors, and the necks that draw tears from our mothers-these are 'the bauds untwisting the secret chains' of civilization. What is to be? come of a people who spread a table to fashion and enshrine it above their altars't The Public Schools in the Interior. f Cor. Ablciiile J'rat and JJ-inucr.] Tf the present condition of our pub lie free schools, upon which our people mainly depend for the education of their children, is not improved, I predict that in a few decades, I he records of illiter? acy and ignorance will startle us with, inst fears of our freedom, safety and tranquility, and bring a blu>h of shame to all intelligent and patriotic citizens. It is an appalling fact that a large I portion ot the patrons of our public free i schools are hopelessly deluded iu sup? ? posing that their children tire receiving benefit when the trutn is incompetent teachers are absolutely wasting thc pub? lic money, and what is infinitely worse, the precious mind sud lime of their children Tho people should rise iu their might and indignation and de? mand of those ?rtbho administer the school laws, that higher qualifications should bo required of rho teacher than that he should be somebody, like Plato's man, 'with two legs without feathers,' to keep school from sunrise to sunset, i ?'oor teachers are a curse to a commu j ti it v. worse than the frogs and lice of . Iv?vpt, for whore they prevail to a con I sid ?rable extent, they degrade the mind, den; ave morals, and corrupt religion. The **New Deal." Charil sion D??i?Hch. j The time has uow arrived for the j breaking up and total demolition of j everything in thc shape of rings and ! machine polities. Future candidates ! must be required to run ou their meii'S, and if they have no merits to run on, they must be run out of the field. V? hen a man gets so helpless and good-for nothing "that ho cannot live without public nineo, he i ecomes a public men? dicant. and ?diould bo provided with quaiters in the aimshou.se. A mau who eau not take care of himself is hardly a lit. person to look after ihe interests of the people.