The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1918-12-26

, was ScOlded Tor everything IL
did, right or wrong.
Often had the three young peo-
pie declared intentions of leaving
Garden Steps, but so far none Of
them had made good the threat.
Vanity was the key note of
Lucy Carrington's nature, and,
knowing this, they could, if they
chose, keep her fairly sweet tenn
pered by inordinate flattery often
administered. This proceeding
hurt their self respect, Jared
their tempers, and CALLED their
very souls, but it was that or dis
missal, and thus far they had
stayed. Matters were nearing a
crisis, however, and Haviland 8
patience was so sorely strained
that he was secretly looking for
another position. Anita Frayne,
whose pretty blonde doll face be-
lied a very fiery disposition, was
on the verge of a serious break
with her employer, and Pauline
Stuart continually assured her
self that she could not 60 on this
way.
Pauline was the orphaned
daughter of Lucy's sister, and
had lived with her aunt for many
years. Darlington Loria, the son
of another sister, was engaged in
antiquarian research in Egypt,
where he had been since his grad
uation as an engineer. He, too,
was an orphan and had lived with
Lucy in his younger days, and he
and Pauline were. equal heirs to
their aunt's wealth.
The father of the three Caring
ton sisters, having become an
gered at his two daughters, who
married against his wishes, had
left his entire fortune to Lucy,
his only remaining child. Thus
her niece and nephew were her
only direct heirs, and, save fer
some comparatively small be-
quests, the Darlington estate
would eventually be theirs.
Pauline well knew that if she
left her aunt's roof it meant COM
plete disinheritance, for Lucy
Darlington was proud of her
beautiful niece, and, too, was fond
of her in her own way. But the
ungovernable temper of the lady
made her home an almost unbear-
able abiding place.
Since childhood years Caring
ton Loria had lived there only
during his college vacations; but
had been back occasionally for
short visits from his now perma-
nent Egyptian occupation. He had
always come laden with gifts Of
oriental products, and the rooms
at Garden Steps showed many
rare specimens Of cunning handi-
work and rich fabrics and en-
broideries.
To break the awkward pause
that followed Miss Darlington s
rude speech to Gray Haviland,
Pauline picked up an antique
scarab and drew the Counts at
tention to it's inscription.
He expressed a polite interest,
but cast furtivc glances at his
hostess, as if afraid Of a further
outbreak.
Nor were his fears unjustified
Miss Darlington administered a
scathing reproach to Pauline for
intruding herself upon the
Counts attention, and babe heI
put aside the scarab and hold hel
tongue.
Don't speak to me like that,
Aunt Lucy; | am not a child,
And Pauline, unable to control
herself longer, faced her angry
aunt with an air Of Righteous
wrath.
"Ill speak to you as | choose,
miss! 1t is for you to mend your
tone in addressing me! If you
don't, you may have cause to re.
gret it. Count Charlier came here
to see me, and I refuse to coun'
tcnance your clumsy attempts to
engage his interest in your silly
babble!"
"But-I insist stammered
the greatly embarrassed Count
"allow me, madame, let me say
I call on you all-all-"
"Nothing of the sort!" de
clarcd Miss Lucy; "you came
Count, to play bridge with us
Our opponents behaved sc rudely
and played so badly it was i'm
possible for us to continue tn
game. Nor can we enjoy music
in this inharmonious atmosphere
Let us stroll in the conservatory
you and L"