The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-12-15


and the little fowered hat she had
crushed down upon her splendid hair
had been Isabelle's own season ago
Harriet was in no holiday mood; she
felt herself in false position; this
was to be one of the times when she
paid high for all the beauty and lux
ury of her life.
Here we are!" Nina gave star
tied glance at the lawns and gardens
of the Jay mansion already dotted
with awnings and chairs, and sprinkled
with the bright gowns of the first
arrivals. They were early, and their
hostess, a handsome, heavily built
woman with corsets like armorplate
Under her exquisite gown, and a
blonde bang covering her forehead,
came forward with her daughter to
meet them. Francesca was as slight
as willow, with demurely dropped
little head and honeyed little self
possessed manner.
Very decent of you, Miss Field 7"
breathed Mrs. Jay, in voice like that
of horn. You girls run along now
I'm going to take Miss Field to the
table. Three hundred people COMM"
she confided as Harriet followed ner
across the lawn. and to the rather
quiet corner Of the awninged porch
where the tea table stood. I'll leave
you here, and you just ask for anything
you need"
The matron melted away; Harriet
looked after her broad, retreating
back indifferently. She would have
.oaned Harriet any amount of money
the girl reflected, smoldering, she
would have shown her genuine friend
ship and generosity in crisis. But
she would not introduce people to
Harriet this afternoon, and in day
Or two she would send Harriet bit
Of lace, or a dainty waist, as delicate
reminder that the courtesy had been
a business one, after all.
Presently the sun came out for Har-
riet in the arrival of a tall, swiftly
moving, dark-eyed woman some ten
years older than she was herself:
Mary Putnam, one of the real friends
the girl had gained in the last four
years. Young Mrs. Putnam, Harriet
used to think. with a little natural
jealousy under her admiration, had
everything. She was not pretty, but
hers was distinguished appearance
md lovely face; she had the self
possessed manner of woman whose
whole life has been given to the social
arts; she had clever. kindly, silent
husband who adored her; her home,
her garden. her clubs and her chari-
ties. and finally she had her nursery,
where Billy and Betty were rioting
through an ideal childhood.
"Harriet-you dear childl" said the
ich and pleased voice, as Mary's fine
hand crossed the tea table for well
coming touch. But how nice to find
yor herel I've just been trying to
think how long it is since I've seen
you"
mot since the day you lunched with
Mrs. Carter. and that was almost two
weeks ago!''
Mrs. Putnam settled herself in the
ncighboring chair.
I'm chaperoning little Lettice Ora
ham for week." she began. in the
delightful voice upon which Harriet
had modelled her own. But Lettice
is trying her little arts upon Ward
Carter. Dear boy. that"
Ward? He is dear" Harriet
said. innoccn.ly.
mo blushing?" Mary Putnam asked,
with smiling look. The color came
into Harriets lovely face, and the
smoky blue eyes widened innocently.
'Blushing-for Wardf" she asked.
Mrs. Putnam stirred her tea thought
fully.
~ didn't know" she said. you're
vrns, ,rn'l you know him we'll, and