The Washington herald., 1914-08-09


This was intended to be a delicate,
humorous little compliment to himself.
He glanced around the table to see if
it was appreciated. 1t was. They all
smiled family. They were we'll trained.
Carrie, have a little more turkey?
Some of the white meat? Here is a
nice tender piece-let me give you this
Mother, what can do for you? George:
Bert? Ruth? Richard? Carrie, how
about the children?"
He had mentioned everyone at the
table except Winifred. George flushed
angrily at this deliberate and uncalled-
for slight. Even Mrs. Martin felt it an
unwarranted, breach of hospitality, for
she said timidly: =
Father, perhaps Winifred will have
something else?"
The genislity faded from his face as
he asked coldly, What can help you
to-"
Nothing at all" she answered curtly.
In her heart she had declared war She
had been silent and submissive under
his sights long enough. II all the rest
of the family had been cowed into ser
Witty, she at least had not. And now
she longed hercely for a chance to re-
taliate.
She had not long to wait. Toward
the end Of the dinner George leaned over
and aElraI - eha ,,-1,,iA Ill. a..
drive that afternoon.
What's that What's that, George ?"
demanded Mr.. Martin. He was slightly
hard of hearing. and every remark that
he did not catch. no matter to whom
addressed, would elicit his sharp What
that"
II was usually Mrs. Martin who pa
tiently repeated everything that was
said. Her Bert was saying" or
Richard said" was almost continuous.
But now as he turned TO George with
his peremptory What's that" it was
Winifred who answered with cold dis
tinctness, George was speaking to me,
Mr.. Martin"
The silence that followed was omin-
Gus. Winifred fancied that she saw an
amused smile on Richards lips, but she
could not be certain. In some vague
way she had felt all along that while
Richard joined in the family subserv-
fence it was with him more a matter Of
easy tolerance. with perhaps an element
OF humor in it.
After dinner George. who felt that a
long afternoon of liberty would now be
painfully strained and would hold dan
gerous possibilities for further Difficult
ties, at once suggested that he take VIM
fired for drive
Carrie is going to take the children
out this afternoon. She will use the
trap, and the carriage is at the repair
shop" Mr.. Martin informed him curtly
We'll, then we will ride. Winifred
has her habit with her. You have a
couple of saddle horses, haven't you,
father"
Il do not wish the saddle horses to
go out on Sunday"
very well, father: then l will order
horses from the livery stable. Wini-
fred, perhaps you had better get ready
at once; it may not be so pleasant later
in the afternoon" He held the door
open for her.
1t was his first revolt. and Winifred.
as she passed out with her heart beating
fast, felt something of what it had cost
him. In their own room she turned TO
him appealingly. He kissed her gravely.
He is my father, but you. dear, are
my wife. | know you have blamed me
for not taking some stand before. but l
had hoped it would not be necessary
My father has always been a stern man,
Just before"
Then you will take me home tomor-
row." she pleaded. You will not ask
me to stay here any longer"
Eyes, dear, if you wish it, will take
you home tomorrow. To leave now be-
fore Christmas will Of course mean
serious enlargement from my whole
family. But it is not fair to you to ask
that you stay any longer" He was
smoothing her hair tenderly. But we
must not let anything spoil our ride,
dear. | am afraid you have not had
very much pleasure since you came here.
will order the horses now. l think I
had better go myself instead of tele-
phoning; | want to see what they give
u.s."
When he returned half an hour later
Winifred was in her riding habit. His
own things were laid out on the bed.
The horses are here now They sent
them right up. I'm afraid they are not
what we would like, but they are the
best they had"
WAS there anyone in the drawing
room when you came up?"
No, | think they are all in the
library"
well, then, l will go down to the
irawing-room and wait for you there"
"All right, dear, I'll be only few min
ties"
From the parlor window Winifred
Jaw that the trap had been brought out,
md that the nurse and one of the chill
iren were already in it, evidently wait
ng for Carrie. She could not help COM |
,aring the slender-limbed, well-grooSaed
iorse in the trap to the scrawny, ragged
addle horses hitched few feet away
he horses they were to ride
She turned from the window to the |
'iano near by. She had not touched it !
ince she came, but now she was alone. |
Perhaps she could play away some of
he soreness and bitterness that was in |
Ter heart She was playing very softly |
me of Chepin's melodies when the door
'pened suddenly. II was one of the
maids ] a.
Miss Winifred, Mr.. Martin says"
he girl hesitated awkwardly as though 1
Il II. Il A.