The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-12-29
CHAPTER vi.

A most opportune lull followed,
when Harriet Field had time to collect
her thoughts, and get true perspec-
tive upon the events of the past week.
Nina was leaving for visit to Amy
Hawkes.. at the extremely dull and en-
tirely safe Hawkes. mansion, where
four unmarried daughters constituted
chaperonage beyond all criticism.
Isabelle Carter was giving and attend
Ing the usual luncheons and dinners.
her husband absorbed in an especially
Important business deal that kept him
alternate nights in the city. The house
was quiet, the domestic machinery
running smoothly, the weather hot.
sulphurous and enervating.
She dined as usual alone. that eve
ming, and was surprised, at about eight
O'Clock, to receive tire demure notifica-
ton from Rosa that Mrs. Carter would
like to see her. With hardly an in
stant's delay she went downstairs.
On the terrace outside the drawing
room windows they were at card ta-
BILE: Richard, looking tired and hot in
rumpled white, Isabelle exquisite in
silver lace, and young Anthony Pope.
Near by, Madame Carter majestically
fingered some illustrated magazines.
1t appeared that they wanted bridge
it was too hot to eat, too hot to dance
at the club, too hot-said Isabelle
pathetically-to live
Obligingly, Harriet took her place,
cut for the deal. But her eyes had not
fallen upon the group before she
sensed that something was wrong, and
she had moments flutter of the heart
for fear some one suspected her, that
she was under surveillance. Hat
Royal-had Ward
She turned card, took the deal
found Anthony Pope her partner, ant
entered into the game with spirit
Richards first words to her were reas
suring; if there was constraint here
she was not involved in it.
No trump-says little Miss Field
Well, that doesn't seem to frighten me
Two spades"
Il think we might try three dia
monds, Miss Field" Anothony said
gravely and pleasantly, and Harrie
felt herself acquitted of any apprehen
sion in that direction as well. 1t onl,
remained for Isabelle to show friend
liness.
"Du hast diamonten and perlen
you two. l can see thatl Your
down, Harrietl' Mrs. Carter said
thoughtfully. Harriet began thorough
ly to enjoy herself. If they were al
furious, at least it was not with her
She speculated, as she gathered IL
her tricks. Was 1t conceivable thai
Richard did not enjoy the discovery
of the tete-a-tete dinner? But Isabelle
had often been equally indiscreet and
he had never seemed to resent it be
| fore. Harriet knew that Isabelle was
Ill at ease; she suspected that Tony
was furious. The old lady was OBJ
viously quivering with bafIled inter.
est and curiosity
After three rubbers the game ended
suddenly; Richard said he had some
letters to write, and was keeping Fox
waiting in the library: Anthony scrib-
| bled check, said brief and unfriend
| ly good-nghts; Isabelle merely raised
passionate dark eyes to his. She was
languidly gathering in her spoils
when the lights of his car flashed vel
low on the drive and he was gone.
Immediately afterward Richard
Carter said goodnight to his mother
and wife, and went in to his study
Madame Carter followed him In, and
went upstairs, but Isabelle sat on
moodily shufllng and reshufliing the
cards, in the bright soft light of the
terrace lamps.
wait a minute, Harriet she said
briefly, and Harriet obediently loitered
But Isabelle seemed to have nothing
to say. Her eyes were on the cards,
her beautiful breast, exposed in the