Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1922-01-06
CHAPTER vi.

A most oppaytune 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 a 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 the demure notifica-
tion from Rosa that Mrs. Carter would
like to see her. With hardly an In
stants delay she went downstairs.
On the terrace outside the drawing
room windows they were at card ia
BILE: Richard, looking tired and hot In
rumplsd 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 !;
1t 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 fiutter OF the heart
for fear some one suspected her, that
she was under surveillance. Had
Royal-had Ward
She turned 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 constralnt 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, Miss Field" Anothony said,
gravely and pleasantly, and Harriet
felt herself acquitted Of any apprehen-
sion I'm that direction as well. 1t only
remained for Isabelle to show friend
illness.
"Du hast damonten 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 II was not with her.
She speculated, as she gathered In
her tricks. Was II conceivable that
Richard did not enjoy the discovery
of the tete-a-tete dinner? But Isabelle
had often been equally lndIscreet, and
he had never seemed 10 resent II be-
fore. Harriet knew that Isabelle was
Ill at ease; she suspected that Tony
was furious. The old lady was OBJ
viously qu!verng with baiIled inter
est and curiosity.
After three rubbers the game ended
suddenly; Richard said he had some
letters 10 write, and was keeping Fox
waiting I'm the library; Anthony scrib-
bled a check. said brief and unfrlend
ly good-nlghts: Isabelle merely raised
! passionate dark eyes to his. She was
languldly 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. hut Isabelle sat or
moodlly shutting and reshufilng Tho
cards, in the bright soft light of the
terrace lamps.
"Wait minute, Harriet" she sn
briefly, and Harriet obediently loltered
But Isabelle seemed tn have nothlnl
10 say. Her eyes were on the cards
her beautiful breast. exposed In III,
low-cut silver gown, rose and fel
stormlly, and Harriet saw that she wn,
biting her full under lip. as if aneeI
seethed strong within her.