The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1915-10-01
ClAIRvOYANCE
BY ELLIS ROBINSON.

oelis. dellcately pretty girl, full of
intangible subtleties, she could not
get over the surprise OF finding her
self at Barton
Her hosts, the Barton-Fairs, had a sur
prise OF another sort-over her unfiut-
Lered acceptance of luxury. They knew
very well why she was there. They
had made much money. Money in
urn had made them socially aspiring
particularly for Tom and Phyllis,
son and daughter of the house. Hence,
the transportation of Hilary Fon-
taine from the pinchings of genteel
poverty to the ease of lavish wealth.
Hilary was gladder for Aunt Pam
than for herself. Unless she, too, had
been asked, Hilary would not have
thought of going. But the Barton
Fairs had been anxious to have the
stately aunt Aunt PANS only and be-
loved nephew, not yet thirty, but al
ready man OF mark, was coming
home to visit his people. Fontaine Dab
ney had the double distinction of be-
Ing silver tongued, yet golden wise
for though he stood like a lion for
the poor, he had no antipathy for
riches
Mr. Barton-Fair had known all this
long before he knew the Fontaines.
He was entirely of his clever wife's
mind, that Providence had made ready
In Aunty PANS young people precise
ly the right mates for Tommy and
Phyllis He was prouder of his chill
dren even than of his fortune.
Aunty Pam liked Phyllis, even ad-
mired her, although by contrast she
did make Hilary's April fairness APP
pear trifie wan. Tommy had won
the elder Miss Fontaine's warm heart
earlier than any of the others.
You nice boy!s Please don't ever
grow up" she had said to him after
he had inveigled her into a long ride
in his cara feat which heretofore
she had declared impossible After
ward she had confessed to Hilary that
she should have thenceforth to think
better of all rich young men
ANdlul DIG was NtIy happy III
Barton. She sat in a garden chair
positively beaming as Tommy and
Hilary went up and down the long
border cutting flowers. Later, when
the flowers had been properly placed
a labor of joy for Hilary-she said to
her niece: Really, Tommy is one of a
thousand Fontaine even couldn't do
1t better-being SO much the host he
is not bit the gallant. | hope Fon-
tame will like all of them here-they
will be such good friends to you two
But there, | won't talk
Best not, Aunt Pam. Walls have
ears-how much more piazzas and
things" Hilary laughed, moving OF
quickly. She knew what it was Aunt
Pam limited at-her darling plan to
match niece and nephew so that when
the family glories were again reful-
gent they should be concentrated, not
diffused
Fontaine knew 1t, too-and both had
been acquiescent rather than eager
Hilary had even fancied she cared for
hAIly ms OUCH mai ly dhOlhCI man
of marriageable condition.
She began now to think of him a
great deal if the truth must be
spoken, to keep herself from thinking
a good deal oftener of Tommy. The
latter certainly did not show signs of
being stricken - but somehow, now
and then, something in his eyes-blue
and innocent almost as her own
some note In his voice-although 1t
spoke only commonplaces-stir her
as Fontaine's look and speech had
never done.
Hilary was eager yet reluctant to
see her cousin. Aunt Pam had let her
know, indirectly, that she felt it in
cumbent to let the good Barton-Fairs
understand their prospective rela-
tionship. 1T will be more dignified-
entire frankness," she had said.
Hilary wanted to protest, to beg for
silence at least, but the habit OF ODE
dience was too strong
So perhaps she was no more than
properly sympathetic when, just as
FOAtdiuC Ndo uuC, aunt dul uCFCi-
oped a toothache so violent that 1t
swelled her face grotesquely and kept
her out of view for full three days.
She would see nobody but the maid.
When, upon the fourth morning, the
invalid came down to breakfast con-
valescent she found awaiting her the
surprise of her life. Standing her
stateliest self as she saluted host and
hostess, she began with an air of
finality that did great credit to her
dignity: Let me announce to you the
betrothal of my niece and my nephew"
why, Aunt Pam! Are you a clair.
voyant? However did you find it out ?
We only knew 1t ourselves last night
and have just told the authorities, .
Fontaine interrupted
And there he stood, with an arm
about Phyllis, while Tommy, grinning
like happy gargoyle, gently tweaked
Hilary's ear. In a twinkling, the Bar
ton-Fair elders were either side of the
speechless woman, madam hugging
her, paterfamilias shaking both her
hands and declaring not quite stead
lily. We've couldn't ask for-any.
thing better. The good Lord must have
sent you to make our cup of blessing
overflow"
III 10