The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-01-13

friend, and Harriet saw that 1t please
him, for some inscrutable reason, t
continue his ridiculous conversation
with the 1attered Ward, and to accep
names and greetings absently, In al
aside, as 1t were. smiling perfunctoril,
and briefly at the eager girls and
women. and returning Immediately t.
his concerned and passionate under
tones with the boy.
1t was Isabelle who brought him to
the tea table. Harriet had felt, with
a sure premonition OF disaster, that II
must be. She might not escape; there
was nothing for 1t but courage now.
Her breath was behaving badly, and
the muscles contracted in her throat,
but she managed a smile.
"And this is Miss Field, Mr.. Blon-
din," said Isabelle. "She will give you
some tea T.
Miss Field" said Royal Blondin,
and his dark hand came across the
teacups. Harriet. as his thin mouth
twitched with just the hint of smile,
looked straight into his eyes. and she
knew he was as frightened as she.
But from neither was there a visible
sign of CONSERVATION.
A few seconds later Harriet Field
slipped from her place, crossed the
terrace with her heart beating sick
and fast with fright, and made her
escape.
She and Nina had a luxurious suite
on the second floor. shut off from the
rest Of the house by single door. and
rather remotely placed In a wing that
commanded superb view of the river
Nina. half-dressed, was sprawling
luxuriously on her bed when Harriet
came In. Glass doors were open upon
square porch. and the sweet after
noon air stirred the crisp. transparent
curtains.
Harriet shut the door, and leaned
against IL, and the world spun about
her. What now? What now? What
now? hammered her heart. Nina
tossed aside her magazine, and regard |
ed her with affectionate reproach.
you ran upstairs !" she said. I'm
wing on your bed because Maude had |
he laundry all over mine. Are you
going to lie DOWN."
mo. my dearI" said Harriet. In an
odd, breathy whisper.
The terror began to food her soul
md mind again. She went out to the
porch, and looked down into the clear
shade of the early twilight, under the
rees. The terrace was deserted:
very sign Of the tea party had van
shed, not a crumb married the order
4 the grass-grown bricks. The chairs
eld formal attitudes. the table was
mpty. All the motorcars were gone
rom the drive. She turned back into
he room. breathing more easily.
At half-past seven she came up
-om a little diplomatic adjusting in
lie service end of the house, to peep
Nina, who was reading in bed, and
} go on to Isabelle's room. If Mrs. ,
after was alone, she liked to see !.
arriet then, to be sure of any last
essage, or to discuss any domestic
an. !,
Harriet found her, exquisite in !.
black spangles. before her !
irror. Isabelle's hair was dressed In =
lrk and shining waves and scallops :,
,tted invisibly, set with brilliant pins. !,
here was not an inch of her whole :
autiful little person that would not
I'VE survived a critical inspection.
er skin. her white throat, her arms
ID hands and fingernails, her waist
ID ankles and her pretty feet, were
absolute perfection. The Illusion
at yelled her slender arms stood at
lisp angles; the silk stockings
owed warm skin tint through their
Inness; her lower eyelids had been 4
illfully darkened, her cheeks deli
tely rouged. and her lips touched
tn carmine; her brows had been
pped and trained and penclled, her
hes brushed with liquid dye, and
at fragrant powders and perfumes
I'D add, had been added In gen.
JUS measure. She wore diamonds
her fingers, In her ears, and about
: throat, and her gown was held at
: full smooth breast by a platinum
that bore double line of mag
cent stones. Harriet always
ught her handsome; tonight she
to admit that her employer was u
ly beautiful
frs. Carter was In pleasant mood
had good disposition, and there
J nothing in her life now to ruffie
She unused happily. her lips witch
with some amusing memory. Then nv
became businessltke. Harriet, do ~
go to the city this week."
Nina and the girls are to see Ruth ne
Denis on Friday" Harriet said. u
Ight Madame Carter would take I'm,
n, but now she says no. But II her
a stays with her grandmother over tie,
It. | thought / would like to see VIII
sister; she hasn't been very we'll thr
[ can wait, of course. Miss Jays -"
party is tomorrow; that's Thurs ricl
md that reminds me that Louise con
telephoned today, and asked me you
on would take charge Of the tea thir
e." Isabelle said, with shrewd you
&C. 90