The Lambertville record., 1926-12-30

brown eyes that saw more than one
guessed, and at one of the handsomest
women he had seen In many a day
The color of that hair alone, he ad
mitted to himself, was enough to make
anyone look twice. Her mouth was
oddly disconcerting. Il looked capa-
bic of sneering. Then. quite suddenly
she smiled
"lf Mother were my sister," Mary
thought, watching her with that odd
pride In her mothers beauty that
made her depreciate her own. mo one
would ever look at me! -
Mary paused before she followed
her mother into the car. "Oh. Moth
er, just moment. This is Mr.. Carter,
Mr. Dabhs' nephew, who has been so
kind in driving me about"
Following the Introduction. Ned
helped Mary in very carefully. This
was the moment for which he had
waited, and Mary had stood the test.
She had not "Cartered" him to her
mother
Neither Mary nor her mother knew
Hillsborough. Ned had visited 1t sew
eral times with Claude Dabbs. and
suggested the Iron Hand inn as their
destination. The idea was acceptable
to Mrs. Johnston. who merely stip-
ulated, Anywhere. except Peace Val
ley"
Mrs. Johnston was conscious that
she was one person too many. 1t was
curious. Not word or look that
she might object to, yet the feeling
was strong. Mrs. Johnston was lr-
ritated. She had much to worry her
Surely II was impossible that her pre-
cious, level-headed Mary could be
about to further involve them. Mrs
Johnston, who was really tired. tried
complaining that the air made her
sleepy. Contrary TO her intention, It
really had that effect. When she
opened them, some fifteen minutes
later, Mary was on the front seat with
Ned.
"Oh, Mother, didn't want to dis
turb you. Mr. Carter's been telling
me such interesting things about the
country"
Mary Joined her mother Mt once, but
Mrs. Johnston was not pleased with
the result of her experiment.
When they had crossed the cobble-
stone parking space to the entrance,
both Mary and Sed waited. Things
were In Mrs. 10 fons han.'s. She
knew 1T. She could nor rrea. 'ts
young man as paid driver.
"Mr Carter" She began iiltle
hesitantly, "since we've so freely ac-
cepted your uncles car and kindness,
won't you accept my invitation to
luncheon?"
1t was very graciously put, but Ned
knew how little Mrs. Johnston want
ed him, even II she was thoroughbred
enough to ask HIM He thanked her.
vowing that he had an errand to do
for his uncle but would take them In
He strolled along quiet residen-
tial street which terminated In an old
graveyard He sat down on fiat
tombstone and thought about life and
Mary.
"Hey, Ned, for one minute I
thought you were monument" |"
Claude Dabbs was smiling at him
over the fence.
- Ned rose and went to him.
'Thank Heaven I saw you first"
Ned said. 81 told the Johnstons
had to do an errand for you. Come
back with me-"
Claude, however, was too busy to
do more than stop at lunch counter
near the courthouse. where he had
to look up several property records.
As they ate he listened absently. Ned
thought, to description of the morn
lng's drive When they had finished,
Claude said he would walk with Ned
to the door OF the inn.
As they reached the inn. the door
opened to admit large party OF
cheerful farmers wives and children.
Through the door, which the last
lumpy child left wide open, Ned
caught a glimpse of Mrs. Johnston
Mary and the proprietor. They were
examining print. hung rather high
above the hall wainscoting. Mrs
Johnston's glorious hair and strongly
modelled head were thrown into relief
against the wall.
"Quick, c. NJ. Look That's Mrs
Johnston"
Claude Dabbs leaned forward and
looked. He was long about 1t and
said nothing. Neither Mary nor her
mother saw them. They we're en-
crossed in the print Mary was dis
cussing It with the proprietor, while
Mrs, Johnston examined II.
Claude quietly put out his hand and
closed the door.
Handsome woman, isn't she" said
Ned Absolutely different In every
way from her daughter. Did you ever
Asee such lovely contrast as they
maker"
Still Claude did not speak. He
stood staring before him. Then, no
ticing that Ned was looking at him,
he pulled himself together, muttering
something about a headache.
Ned was concerned He offered to
attend to CIaude's business and drive
him home. He was sure Mrs. Johnston
wouldn't mind In the least. Or, he
could arrange with some one to bring
the truck back, and Claude could oc-
eupy the front seat with him.
f-InvIn Ate had
''It isn't anything. my boy. Just n
headache. Get them often. Guess I
drove the car up too fast and had
the sun In my eyes. You stick to your
job"
He was off down the street, leaving
Ned protesting. A moment later. Mrs.