Mexico weekly ledger., 1921-12-29
Norris

anal at the very beginning. Tony
was not like the older men, willing to
play the game with Just q little scorch.
ing Of fingers. Appearances meant
nothing to Tony, and she had let the
play 30 too far now to convince him
that she did not return something Of
his feeling.
She looked down at him now, con"
tent to be alone with her and at her
feet, and q hundred smixed emotions
stirred her. His feeling for her was
not only pitiable and absurd In him,
but It was rapidly reaching the point
when Il would make her absurd and
pitiable, too. Nina. instlnctiyeiy
scenting the affair, had already ex-
pressed herself as hating that idiot;"
Ward had scowled, Of late, at the mere
mention Of Tony's name. Even her
husband, the patient Richard, seeing
the youth ensconce himself firmly be-
side her in the limousine, had had
aside his mild comment "Is this young
man a fixture in u family, dearT'
"YOu should be playing tennis,
Tony" said Isabelle.
tennis !" A look Of distaste crossed
Anthony's face.
"Please-Cherie !" he begged.
There was a silence Drumming with
sweetness and color. Tony laid his
hand against sher knee, CROPPED until
her own warm smooth fingers were in
his own y NsH>
Does Mr.. Carter. play golf tomor-
row." he asked, presently.
~ suppose So"
"And yop--%hat do you doY"
"Oh. Il have a fplT dayl People to
lunch, ffaendsNof Madame Carter"
The boy laughed triumphantly.
81 knew you'd say that!" he said.
Nov, I'll tell you about tomorrow.
You and I are going to slip away, at
about one O'Clock, and go Off In the
gray car. Wen 30 up to--7=yell, some
where, aid, Yesl$have our lunch under
the tteSA A12tidte ba6isatiRbout'feur
for the tea callers, and they may, have
you, until \ Il aecmA tbHck for dinner.
After dinner we'll walk on the terrace
-+as IVES didStwol wondesfaL wonderful
nights ago, and perhaps" His voice
had fallen 10 q richss and tender mote.
his eyes were rapt, Perhaps" he
said, "just before we go IN. at the
end of the terrace, you'll lock up at
the stars again." @9t1I
"Tonyy" Isabelle interrupted, her
face brilliant with color. my dear
boy-my dear boy, think where this
is going to end, In all F%eason-in all
reason" < a
"Isabella, what in Gods name has
reason to do with I'll" He knelt be-
fore her, and caught her hands, and
Isabelle had a terrified fear that
Ward, or Nina, or any one else, might
start up or down the terrace steps and
see him. "The instant you realize
what you and l are to each other, my
darling;'rh he said, "you begin to talk
Of reason Love isn't reason, Cherie.
It's the dlvinest In the
worldi Cherie, there's never been
another woman for me; there nevep
will bel / can't live without you; /
don't want tot You're frightened now,
you don't know how we can manage
1t. But I'll find the way. The only
thing that matters is that you must
belong to me-you shall belong to me
as 1 to you in every fiber Of my be.
ing" 8
"Tony--for Heavens sake-W Isa-
belle was in an agony. Somebody was
approaching. He had gotten to his
feet. and was gloomily staring at the
river, when Nina Carter, followed by
a great white Russian hound, came
flying down the steps.
Mother" Nina, a tall, oyergrowr
girl, with spectacles On her straight
nose, and straight, light-brown hair In
thick braids, stopped short and gave
her mothers companion a look Of
whitening distaste. Mother" she be
gan again, "aren't you coming up fol
teal"
ASK Betty Allen to pour" said
Mrs. Carter, regaining her composurt
rapidly, and assuming the air Of host
ess at nee.
Betty went home for a tub" Nint
explained. "She's coming back. But
Mother" she added, with a family re
proachful and whining information
really. you ought to be there"
Mrs. Carter knew this as well al
Nina. But she found the child ex
tremely trying in this puritanica
mood. Granting that this affair witt
Tony did her, Isabelle, small credit
at least 1t was not for Nina to sit II
Judgment. Rebellious, Isabelle fondle,
the loving nose Of the hound with
small, brown. jeweied hand, an,
glanced obviously at Tony's uncom
promising back.
saTrot back, Nina, love-" said she Il
her daughter, c~heerfuily. land asl
Miss Harriet to come out and pour
III be there directly. Wen come RICH
up. Run alcngl"
To Nina, in this ignominous dismis
sal. there was sweet She adored mis-
Harriet. the Miss Field who ha,
been her governess and her neither
secretary for the three habpiest year