Mexico Missouri message., 1917-02-22
HATS and FACES
BY EARL REED sILvERs.


desk of the writing room.
Harold Smythe is coming to spend
the weekend in Glenwood," she in
formed Dorothy Hunt. "We're going
to give a big dance on Saturday eve
ming"
"You are?"
Dorothy showed little interest in
the person of Harold Smythe. She
had heard so much about him since
Estelle's visit to Miami that she had
formed an unreasonable dislike for
him. But her opinions counted little
in the Williams household; she was
only the orphan daughter of the sis
ter of Mrs. Williams.
1t had been hard for her. OF the
same age as Estelle, she was as differ
ent from her cousin as black is from
white. In the first placer she had big,
blue eyes, which gave hint of pathos,
and which made the men who looked
at them want to protect her from
some harm which they felt was i'm
pending. She had skin like the soft
est velvet, and cheeks the color of q
pink rose.
| Estelle's eyes were cOlorless, al
though she considered them hazel. Her
skin, in spite of frequent applications
of the latest modern appliances, re-
fused to be anything but rough. But
her father was q millionaire, and her
mother had social aspirations.
They had met Harold Smythe at
Miami, and Harold had casually men,
toned the fact that he intended to
come East in the summer. An invi-
tation and acceptance had followed,
and the time had finally arrived for the
much-talked about visit.
On Friday morning Estelle, waiting
for the big touring car to carry her to
the station to meet the guest,
found Dorothy sitting on the front
porch.
do you wish to ride to town." she
asked graclously.
Eyes, would like to CO." Dorothy
arose and took the front seat Of the
car, while Estelle sat in state in the
tOnneau. The former wore q sunbon-
net of light straw, which had cost rs
cents in the village store; the latter
was decked in a silver creation which
was purchased in New York for $50
They reached the station just as the
train was pulling out. Estelle leaped
from the car and greeted n cookbook
ing, well-set-up young man who was
standing on the platform. She did
not bother to introduce Dorothy, and
the auto started off for the ride to
the Williams mansion. The girl in
the front seat could hear them chat
ting noisily. She liked Harold's
voice.
When they had reached the house
and alighted from the car, however,
Estelle paused q moment to introduce
the other girl.
"My cousin, Miss Hunt" she said
lightly.
The visitor took Dorothy's hand and
gazed into her blue eyes. Then he for
got all about his hostess and every
thing connected with her.
IL didn't know Estelle had a
cousin" he gasped. evil you be here
for the week-end"
"Yes." The one addressed smiled at
his evident CONFUSION.
Harold turned to Estelle, who was
watching with anxious eyes.
II think that shall have a wonder
full time" he announced. "Things are
just fine here" His eyes returned to
Dorothy.
Mrs. Williams came forth and met
Harold. When the guest had been
oh
mother to one side and talked earnest
ly in guarded tones. Dorothy saw Mrs.
Williams nod her head decisively, and
then Harold appeared again.
, "If you would like to see the place,
Estelle suggested, II will show you
} around"
"That will be fine" He turned to
Dorothy. you're coming, too, aren't
your" he asked.
, Elm afraid she'll be busy" Els
t telle interposed. "She's sort of q
l housekeeper here" she added cruelty
Dorothy's eyes flashed angrily.
, II haven't anything to do" she sait
1 rather defiantly. "Pd love to 60"
For the remainder of the mornin;
lASy CAIlOlGu the CSlule. Du
1t proved to be a rather trying tim'
5 for Estelle. Try as she might, sh'
I could not secure the visitors atten
ton. When she told him of the dept
Of the shaded lake, he looked into tn
depths of Dorothy's eyes. So as soOl
as they returned to the house Estell
e held q brief consultation with he
! mother, and at luncheon Mrs. VII
liams made an announcement.
r 'The painters are fixing the cottag
: at Avon" she said to Dorothy, land
h believe that we ought TO have sOmeon
Il there to look over the work. So yO
n will go to the shore this afternoon an
stay until Monday"
y Dorothy nodded; she saw Instant
y the plan to get rid of her, but sh
was haInIaSs Co or two nfplnplc Gh