, 1922-04-12

play the game with just q little Scorcn-
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 a 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 1t 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 rs this young
man a fixture in our family, dearT"
"You should be playing tennis,
Tony" said Isabelle.
tennis I" A look Of distaste crossed
Anthony's face.
"Please-Cherie !" he begged.
There was a silence brimmfng with
sweetness and color. Tony laid his
hand against her knee, CROPPED until
her OWE warm, smooth fingers were In
his own.
Does Mr.. Carter play golf ONO
rowT' he asked, presently.
II suppose sol"
-And you-what do you dot"
"Oh, I have a full day! People to
Lunch, friends of Madame Carter"
The boy laughed triumphantly.
II knew you'd say that !" he said.
Now, I'll tell you about tomorrow.
You and I are going to slip away, at
about n o'clock, and go of In the
gray ar. Well go up lowell, some
where. and well have our lunch under
the trees Wen be back at about four.
for the tea callers. and they may have
you until I come back for Inner.
After dinner we'll walk on the terrace
las 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"
"Tonyw Isabelle interrupted, her
face brilliant with color. MY dear
boy-my dear boy. think where this
is going to end. In all reason-in all
eason-
isabelle. what In Gods name has
reason to do with 1t" He knelt be-
fore her, and caught her hands, and
Isabelle had a terrified fear that
Ward, or Nina. or any one else, might
start up or down the terrace steps and
see him. THE instant you realize
what you and l 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 bel / can't live without you; l
don't want toi You're frightened now,
you don't know how we can manage
1t. But I'll find the way. The only
thing hat matters is that you must
belong to me-you shall belong to me
-as I 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. a tall, overgrown
girl, with spectacles on her straight
nose, and straight. light-brown hair in
thick braids, stopped short and gave
her mothers companion a 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 at once.
Betty went home for a tub" Nina
explained. "She's coming back. But.
Mother" she added, with a family re-
proachful and whining information,
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,
at least 1t 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 obviously at Tony's uncom-
promising back.
"Trot back. Nina, love,'' said she to
her daughter c%heerfuliy, and ask
Miss Harriet to, come out and pour.
I'll be there directly. Wen come right
up. Run alongl" 3.
To Nina, in this ignominous dismiss
sal, there was sweet. She adored Miss
Harriet" the Miss Field who had
her governess and her mothers
secretary for the three happiest years