The Holbrook news., 1922-01-13

] WUtu Slc saw tHcm On III luS CdT, although Harriet's gown was not new. and the little lowered hat she had crushed down upon her splendid hair had been Isabelle's own a season ago Harriet was in no holiday mood she felt herself in a false position; this was to be one of the times when she paid high for all the beauty and lux ury of her life.
 Here We are" Nina gave a star tied glance at the lawns and gardeAs of the Jay mansion already dotted with awnings and chairs, and sprinkleA with the bright gowns of the first arrivals. They were early. and their hostess, a handsome, heavily built woman with corsets like armorplate under her exquisite gown, and blonde bang covering her forehead, | came forward with her daughter to meet them. Francesca was as slight as willow, with demurely dropped little head and a honeyed little self possessed manner.
 Very decent of you, Miss Field" breathed Mrs. Jay, in a voice like that of horn. You girls run along now people will be comin' at any minute. I'm going to take Miss Field 10 the table. Three hundred people comin'," she cOnfided as Harriet followed ner across the lawn, and to the rather quiet corner of the awninged porch where the tea table stood. I'll leave you here, and you just ask for anything you need"
 The matron melted away; Harriet looked after her broad, retreating back indifferently. She would have loaned Harriet any amount of money, the girl reflected, smOldering, she would have shown her genuine friend ship and generosity in a crisis. But she would not introduce people to Harriet this afternoon, and in a day or two she would send Harriet 6 bit of lace, or a dainty waist, as delicate reminder that the courtesy had been a business one, after all.
 Presently the sun came out for Har- riet in the arrival of tall, swiftly moving, dark-eyed woman some ten years older than she was herself: Mary Putnam, one of the real friends the girl had gained in the last four years. Young Mrs. Putnam. Harriet used to think, with little natural jealousy under her admiration. had everything. She was not pretty, but hers was distinguished appearance and a lovely face; she had the self possessed manner of a woman whose whole life has been given to the social arts; she had a clever. kindly. silent husband who adOred her; her home. her garden, her clubs and her chari- ties. and finally she had her nursery. where Billy and Betty were. riOting through an ideal childhood.
 "Harriet-you dear child !" said the rich and pleased voice, as Mary's fine hand crossed the tea table for q vel coming touch. But how nice to find you here! I've just been trying to think how long it is since I've seen you"
 Not since the day you lunched with MI .. SdibuAs dho WaS 6iAhOob tWo weeks ago"
 Mrs. Putnam settled herself in the neighbOring chair.
 I'm chaperoning little Lettice Ora ham for week." she began, in the delightful voice upon which Harriet had modelled her own. But Lettice is trying her little arts upon Ward Carter. Dear boy. that!"
 Ward? He is 8 dear!" Harriet said. innOcently.
 ''No blushing" Mary Putnam asked. with a smiling look. The color came into Harriet's lovely face, and the smoky blue eyes widsned innocently.
 "Blushing-for Ward?" she asked
 Mrs Putnam stirred her tea thought fully.
 'T didn't know" she said. You're young, and you know him well, and you're-well. you have appearance. as 1t were! Ward has fine stuff In him, and also. think, he is beginning to care. It would be an engagement that would please the Carters, imagine"
 The word engagement brought filmy vision before Harriet's eyes, born of the fragrance and sunshine of the summer. She saw a ring. laughter and congratulations. dinner parties and receptions, shopping in gllttering Fifth avenue.
 "A boy in Wards position may do much worse than marry lovely and aAnsfh1a NrS p,,tn Well, 1t just occurred to me. It Is your affair, of course. But looking back one sees how much just the well, the lack of tiny push has meant in ones life!"
 And this is the pushw Harriet said. her heart full of the confusion and happiness that this unusual mood of confidence and affection on Mary Put nam's part had brought her.
 Perhaps" The smooth. cool hand touched hers for second before Mrs. Putnam went upon her gracious way. Harriet hardly heard the hustle and confusion about her for few minutes. She sat musing, with her splendid eyes fixed upon some point invisible to the joyous group about her.
 To Nina, meanwhile, had come the most extraordinary hour of her life. She had sauntered to a green bench. under great naples, with Lettice Ora ham and Harry Troutt and Anna Poett. And Joshua BrevOOrt had come for Anna, and they had sauntered away, with that mysterious ease with