Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-08-17

ward. Harriet, drawing the chair near
er the bed and out of line of the L.
brary vista. expressed her perfunctory
regrets at finding Helen ill.
How she has changed, much older
but much better dressed, was running
through Helen's mind us she murmured
her disappointment that Harriet was
not to be in town longer They would
so like to have her to dinner.
That she was being subjected to a
similar swift appraisement Helen
knew. but she was fortified by the
consciousness that the lacy gown and
bOudOir cap were most becoming.
Instead of seeming impressed by the
apartment and by Warren. this West
ern cousin was discOncertingly asser-
tive. Ignoring Helen's lead. she
promptly directed the conversation in
! to her own channels.
"YOu know Miriam has little SOM"
Miriam was Harriet's younger sister.
who had married wealthy Omaha
contractor. "A ten-pOund boy" proud
ly. Born week ago yesterday.
Didn't Aunt Elizabeth write your"
"No, i haven't heard from mother
this week. Tell me about Miriam"
with feigned interest, for she had new
err liked this other cousin. II know
she's glad it's boy"
"And he's simply wild about 1t!
They've a wonderful place for chill
dren-One Of the most beautiful houses
in Omaha. Yes. Miriam has every
thing she wants. They keep three
servants and two cars-it's an ideal
home"
1T must be-" murmured Helen, not
relishing this line of conversation.
"We're thinking Of taking a trip West
this year. If we don't 60 abroad. But
Warren has business in LondOn-if we
can possibly get over"
"Harvey's crossed so many times,
and he's so anxious to take Miriam,
but now with the baby"
Here Dora appeared and Helen gave
the signal for tea, while Harriet
launched into further recital Of the
comforts and luxuries of Miriam's
home.
With the arrival of tea, Helen, hop
ing to switch the conversation. adrOit-
ly called attention to the Sheffield tea
service she had brought from England.
But this gave an opening for an en-
thusiastic account Of all the silver
Harveys people had given Miriam
when they were married.
| Warren. always caustically taciturn
when anyone began to "blow," drank
his tea in stOlid silence. But under
this continuous laudatiOn of Miriam's
possessions. Helen grew more and
more FESTIVE.
wouldn't you like to see the apart
ment? We've some interesting old
things we brought from London" She
fairly dragged it in. Dear, do show
Harriet through"
"Oh. yes, l love English furniture.
Miriam has several very fine old
pieces. They're both keen about an
tiques."
Flinging Helen a black scOwl, War
rem. with evident reluctance. led the
way into the front room. But from
their murmurOus voices Helen knew
that ii was Harriet who did all the
talking. An occasional comment drift
ed in.
That's BOkhara. isn't it3 Miriam
has one almost exactly that pattern.
-. Yes, she has some very wonderful
l In
but you can't get much space in New
York"
When Harriet came back to the bed
room. 1t was without a single compli-
mentary remark about the apartment.
II mustn't stay any lOnger-I don't
want to tire you. But I've enjoyed see
ing you both SO much. Now, If you do
make that trip West. you must stop at
Omaha and spend few days with Mir
lam. They'll entertain you royalty"
AS Warren saw her to the door,
Helen could hear her still exclaimfng
over how much they would enjoy the
trip to Omaha.
well, that's the time you got
yours" with an amused grin. as he
came back and slOuched into the chair
by the bed. 'The stage setting stunt
didn't make much of dent
"Oh. dear. she's changed! She didn't
used to be like that"
Seems to run in your family" with
a chuckle. didn't have much of her
own to foot abOut-sO she rung in Mir
iam."
runs in the family?" flushing.
"Yes, and she beat you to II Didn't
give you lOok-in. Everything set for
star performance-but she neatly
side-staged you and grabbed the spot
light. Ha-ha!" 1t was an apprecia-
tive laugh-"that was ripping!"