The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-30

template entertaining company at all,
and doubly SO that she had addressed
her question to Harvey instead of to
herself, and went on eating her dinner
in her usual deliberate way. She had
a fine appetite, and took excellent care
of her digestion, as a wise young wom-
an should.
Then we'll say Tuesday evening"
said Gladys, all unconscious of what
was passing in Helen's mind, and mis-
taking her silence for acquiescence.
she regarded the matter as settled.
1t was not until the very day Of the
dinner that she discovered her error.
BY this time she and Harvey were on
their old terms again, the GOODNESS be-
tween them apparently forgotten.
Helen's manner relaxed; she had
her own grievances and resented them
in her own way. Gladys, however,
gave 10 evidence that she observed
anything amiss.
Il am sure you will like Mrs. Barr,
Helen" she said at breakfast on Tues
day, hoping to draw the younger
woman into conversation, for her per-
sistent lack of interest in any talk in
which she was not directly included
was irksome. She is a girl after your
own style-an excellent daughter, now
a capable wife. l hope you will be-
come friends"
Thank you" said Helen, in wintry
tones. Il am not a believer in married
women's friendships. My husband and
my child suffice for me. A woman's
home should be her kingdom"
She glanced at Harvey for the ap-
proving smile with which he always
%applauded her borrowed phrases, as
though every word were a nugget of
wisdom fresh from the mine, and add
ed a trif1e less deliberately:
Il dislike strangers, and care moth
ing for social pleasures, SO I can not
truthfully say l am sorry l shall not
meet Mrs. Barr this evening"
What do you mean, Nell? Have you
forgotten she is to come here to din
ner?"
NO; but you and 1 are to dine at
fathers. l promised him ten days
ago."
Helen spoke calmly, though her color
fickered as she encountered Harvey's
astonished stare. Gladys, too, looked
surprised.
my dear girl" Harvey burst out,
why in the world did you not tell the
mater 81 when she was making ar
rangements for her dinner?"
Because she did not consult me. She
addressed you, and took it for granted
l had nc engagements. ] never offer
unsolicited information"
Gladys saw an ominous look in Har-
vey's eyes, and rose hastily. She had
no desire to witness a matrimonial
squabble.
1T is not Of the least consequence,
Harvey. 1 should like Helen to meet
Mrs. Barr, who has a great deal OF
social influence, but there will be
plenty Of opportunities for her to do
SO in the future, as l intend to open
the house to my friends again. l have
been living too quietly of late" She
looked full at Helen, and there was a
touch of defiance in the manner of
both. DO not give this little misun-
derstanding a thought. shall not;
for it isn't worth it,"
She had left the room before the last
word was uttered, and ran lightly
down the piazza steps to the garden.
What a woman!" she thought.
What a hard, narrow, revengeful, sui
len woman! Poor Harvey! l hope he
may continue blind to the end. 1t is
his only chance for happiness"
She need not have Teen concerned
for Harvey. Already Helen, her arms
about his neck. her voice broken with
emotion, was making her cause good:
and although he could not see exactly
where, Gladys had erred, he was soon
convinced that his wife had been wan
tonly insulted, and was %grievously hurt
in consequence. Nothing could have
been further from the truth than
either conviction; but gazing into Sc
ductive eyes, tear drenched, pressing
warm, red lips quivering with sobs,
few men are wise enough to discrim-
mate between the Christening dews OF
sorrow and the bitter waters of spite
or envy.
Gladys dinner was a success. She felt
Helen's absence to be a relief. 1t
seemed pleasant to have the house to
herself again, and to sit at the head
Of her own table. Sne threw OF her
sadness and became the charming
frivolous Gladys every one petted and
loved. Her guests fingered late. Long
after Harvey and Helen had retired
the sound OF. their voices rang through
the house, and Helen complained next
day at breakfast that baby vas fretful
and unwell, having been robbed OF his
sleep the night previous.
Mrs. Atherton made no answer to
this plant. She had discovered that
Harvey's geniality had vanished, and
his manner toward her was cold. She
OWNED the reason for the change, and
while ~resenting his injustice was hurt
bytit. She could retain his favor only
by submitting to his wife's caprices. /,
seemed. Her long years Of devotion
counted for nothing; all was forgot.
ten when this woman, between kisses
accused her OF some petty meanness Of
which she vas incapable. How dared
he listen to charges SO unjust
Before the meal was half over She
rose from the table with q sudden hot
anger that dismayed her, for she had
never felt anything like 1t before. She
~realizedethat she should end by hating