The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-12-29
e of comfort and reluxntion

sense of comfort and relaxation =.
riet got into it, and was comfort;bi.
established, and tucked in sIia@ly
when Richard came down. He snile'
at seeing her, got into his own se;
the machine slipped smoothly in,o inn
ton, the hot and sordid streets be.i.Ii
to glide by.
Ever think how illuminating Il
would be, Miss Field, if we kept ii list
of the things that are worrying IL
sick, and read 'em over a few weeks
later?"
II suppose SOP the girl said, a i.iil,
surprised, and yet with fervor. "Wec
have fresh bunch then, and be wll.
rying away just as hard ~
The spontaneous response in her
tone made Richard Carter laugh.
Harriet was content to enjoy this
restful interval between the hurry and
crowding of Linda's house and the
currents and cross-currents that she
must encounter at Crownlands. She
watched the green country 60 by, the
trees silent and heavy with their rich
foliage, the villages blazing with the
last June roses.
They flew by the great gates of the
country club, and turned in pas;
Crownlands lodge, and Harriet got ou
ut the steps, and turned her happy,
flushed face toward the man to thank
him. Whatever she saw in his face as
he smiled and nodded at her pleased
her, for she went upstairs saying again
to heYself. "Oh, you're real-you'r.
honest-I like your
1t was delightful to get back into
the familiar atmosphere, to catch the
fragrance of flowers in the orderly
gloom downstairs, to take off her hal
and her hot, dusty clothing, and nave
a leisurely hot bath; to put on fresh
and fragrant summer wear, and TO 20
downstairs presently, rejoicing in he
ing young and comfortable, and tire
mendously Interested in life. The sis
niiicance of Richard Carter's parting
look, lis honest admiration and frienu.
illness augmented by her own glance
Mt chance mirror on her way up
stairs stayed with her pleasantl..
AT one end OF the terrace there was
an awning whose shade fell upon the
brick flooring and the jars of h'oon:
and this afternoon it also shaded lisa
belle, in a basket chair. and the big
hound, and Tony Pope. Harriet cast
them passing glance, and wondered
a little in her heart. The boy was
handsome. and fascinating, and rich
; but it was just Il little unusual to have
Isabelle so openly interested in any
one.
Underlined and vague, this was still
somewhere in the background of he
thoughts as she returned to Crown
lands, and when she met Ward Car
ter, wrestling with the engine of hi
own rather disreputable racing car
out in one of the clean, gravele,
spaces near the garage.
Harriet felt a little quickening o
her pulses as she saw him. There wa
no mistaklng the pleasure in his eye
as she came close.
"Spark plugs?" she asked. with tn
sympathy of one to whom the peculi
arities of the car We're familiar.
"She's fixed now; I've just cleane,
en- Ward announced, flinging ava,
his cigarette and Strengthening hi
back. She'll go like a bird, now. Say
get in and try her. will you?" he asked
eagerly. Come on-come on, be {
SPORT" But perhaps he was as mucf
surprised as delighted when she yer.
simply stepped into the low front seat
He gave her more than one sidewise
glance as they went dipping smoothly
up and down the green lanes, and said
to himself, "Gosh-when she crinkles
those blue eyes of hers, and her mouth
sort of twitches as if she wanted to
laugh, she is a beauty-that's what she
isl"
About week later they met for a
few moments in this very side garden
1t was early evening, and twilight and
moonlight were mingled over the silen,
roses, and the trimmed turf, and the
low brick walls.
They came straight toward each
other, and stood very close together
and he took both of Harriet's hands
'Now, what is it-what is it?" the
man said, quickly. I've been waiting
long enough. l can't stand it any
longerl l can't go away tomorrow
perhaps for two weeks. and not
knowl"
Ward" the girl faltered, lifting m
exquisite face that wore, even in the
faint moonshine, n troubled and in
tense expression, cant we let it all
wait until you get back?"
why. Harriet" and his arm went
about her shoulders, and he bent his
face over hers, Harriet, why not let
me go happy?" he pleaded.
you'll see dozen younger girls at
the Bellamys camp" Harriet rea.
soned, girls with whom it would be
infinitely more suitable"
please" he interrupted. patiently
And almost touching her warm, smooth