The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-01-27
CHAPTER vi.

| n 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 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 notifca-
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 ia
BILE: Richard, looking tired and hot In
rumpled white. Isabelle exquisite In
silver lace, and young Anthony Pope.
Near by. Madame Carter majesticalIy
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 livei
ObligIngiy. 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 futter of the heart
for fear some one suspected her, that
she was under surveillance. had
Royal-had Ward
She turned a card, took the deal
found Anthony Pope her partner. and
entered into the game with spirit.
Richards first words to her were reas-
surfing; If 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"
Il think we might try three dia- |
monds, Miss Field" Anothony said,
and pleasantly, and Harriet |
felt herself acquitted of any apprehen- |
sion in that direction as well. It only |
for Isabelle to show friend |
liness.
"Du hast diamonten and perlen,
you two. I can see that You're
down, Hnrrieti" Mrs. Carter said,
Harriet began thorough
y to enjoy herself. If they were all
furious, at least it was not with her.
She speculated, as she gathered in
her tricks. Was 1t conceivable that
Richard did not enjoy the discovery
If the tete-a-tete dinner7 But Isabelle
lad often been equally indiscreet, and
he had never seemed to resent II be-
ore. Harriet knew that Isabelle was
II at ease; she suspected that Tony
vas furious. The old lady was OBJ
'iously quivering with baffied inter-
st and curiosity.
After three rubbers the game ended
Richard said he had some
etters TO write. and was keeping Fox
waiting In the library: Anthony scrIb-
lied check. said brief and uufriend-
? good-nights. Isabelle merely raised !
assionate dark eyes to his. She was
anguidly gathering in her spons
7hen the lights Of his car flashed yell
IVY on the drive and he was gone
Immediately afterward Richard
arter said goodnight to his mother
nd wife, and went In to his study.
Iadame Carter followed him In, and
ent upstairs, but Isabelle sat on
'oodily shutting and reshuffiing the
ards, In the bright soft light Of the I
,rrace lamps
Welt minute, Harriet" she said,
fefy. and Harriet obediently loitered.
ut Isabelle seemed to have nothing |.
say. Her eyes were on the cards, ,
sr beautiful breast, exposed In the :,
w-cut silver gown. rose and fell
ormily. and Harriet saw that she was :.
ting her full under lip, as II anger !.
ethed strong within her.