The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-12-08


play the game with just little scorch
ing of fingers. Appearances meant
nothing to Tony, and she had let the
play go 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 hundred mixed emotions
stirred her. His feeling for her, was
not only pitiable and absurd in him.
but 1t was rapidly reaching the point
when IL would make her absurd and
pitiable. too. Nina, instinctively
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 fixture in our family, dear?''
"You Should be playing tennis,
Tony" said Isabelle.
"Tennis !" A look of distaste crossed
Anthony's face.
"Please-Cherie ~ he begged.
There was silence brimming with
sweetness and color. Tony laid his
hand against her knee, CROPPED until
her own warm, smooth fingers were in
his own.
Does Mr.. Carter play golf tomor-
row." he asked, presently.
II suppose sol"
"And you-what do you do?"
"Oh, have n full day! People to
lunch, friends of Madame Carter
The boy laughed triumphantly.
II knew you'd say that !" he said.
Nov, I'll tell you about tomorrow.
You and l are going to slip away. Mt
about one o'clock, and go off in the
gray car. Well go up towel, some
where, and we'll have our lunch under
the trees. Well be back at about four,
for the tea callers, and they may have
you until l come back for dinner.
After dinner we'll walk on the terrace
as we did two wonderful, wonderful
nights ago, and perhaps" His voice
had fallen to a rich and tender note,
his eyes were rapt. Perhaps" he
said, lust before we go in, at the
end of the terrace, you'll look up at
the stars again"
''Tony!" Isabelle interrupted, her
face brilliant with color. "My dear
boy-my dear boy, think where this
is going to end. In all reason-ln all
reason"
isabelle, what in Gods name has
a. IL ho
fore her, and caught her hands, and
Isabelle had terrified fear that
Ward, or Nina, or any one else, might
start up or down the terrace steps and
see him. 1.-THE instant you realize
what you and are to each other, my
darling" he said, you begin to talk
of reason. Love isn't reason, Cherie.
It's the divinest unreason in the
world! Cherie, there's never been
another woman for me; there never
will be. 1 can't live without you;
don't want to You're frightened now,
you don't know how we can manage
it. 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"
'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, tall, overgrown
girl, with spectacles on her straight
nose. and straight, light-brown hair In
thick braids, stopped short and gave
her mothers companion look of
whitening distaste. Mother" she be-
gan again, aren't you coming up for
tear"
ASK Betty Allen to pour" said
Mrs. Carter, regaining her composure
rapidly, and assuming the air Of host
ess Mt once.
Betty went home for tub" Nina
explained. "She's coming back. But,
Mother" she added, with family re-
proachful and whining intonation,
REALLY, you ought to be there"
Mrs. Carter knew this as well as
Nina. But she found the child ex.
tremely trying in this puritanical
mood. Granting that this affair with
Tony did her. Isabelle. small credit,
pt least II was not for Nina to sit In
Judgment. Rebellious. Isabelle fOndled
the loving nose of the hound with a
small. brown, jeweled hand. and
glanced dublously at Tony's uncom-
promising hack.
"Trot back. Nina. love-" said she to
her daughter. cheerfully. "and ask
Miss Harriet to come out and pour.
III be there directly. Well come right
np. Run along"
To Nina, in this ignominous dismis-
sal. there was sweet. She adored Miss
Harriet" the Miss Field who had
been her governess and her mothers
secretary fer the three happiest years
i---