Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1922-02-04
CHAPTER vi.

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 enervatlng.
She dined as usual alone, that eve
ming, and was surprised, at about eight
o'clock, to receive the demure notlfica-
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 TIA
BILE 4: 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
ut 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 a moments flutter of the heart
for fear some one suspected her, thnt
she was under surveillance. Had
Royal-had Ward
She turned q card, took the deal,
found Anthony Pope her partner, and
entered into the game with spirit.
Richards first words to her were reas-
surfing; II there was constraint here,
she was not involved In 1t.
mo trump-says little Miss Field.
Well, that doesn't seem to brighten me.
Two spades"
II think we might try three dia-
monds, Mss Field" Anothony said,
gravely and pleasantly, and Harriet
felt herself acquitted Of any apprehen-
sion in that direction as well. 1t only
remained for Isabelle to show friend
Illness.
"Du hast diamonten and perlen,
you two. can see that You're
down, Harriet!' Mrs. Carter said,
thoughtfully. Harriet began thorough
ly to enjoy herself. II they were all
furious, at least It was not with her.
She speculated, as she gathered in
her tricks. Was II conceivable that
Richard did mot enjoy the discovery
Of the tete-a-tete dinner? But Isabelle
had often been equally indlscreet and
he had never seemed to resent II be-
fore. Harriet knew that Isabelle was
Ill at ease; she suspected that Tony
was furious. The old lady was OBJ.
viously quivering with batIled 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 BRET and unfrlend-
ly good-Rights; Isabelle merely raised
passionate dark eyes to his. She was
languidly gathering In her spoils
when the lights Of his cor flashed yell
low on the drive and lie 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 shutting and reshufIilng the
cards, in the bright soft light Of the
terrace lamps.
wait q minute, Harriet" she said
briefly, and Harriet obediently loitered
But Isabelle seemed to have nothing
70 say. Her eyes were on the cards
her beautiful breast. exposed In the
low-cut silver gown, rose and fell
stormily, and Harriet saw that she was
biting her full under lip. as Il anger
seethed strong within her.
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