The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-12-08

Harriet, whose manner with all old
persons was the essence OF scrupulous
Formally, rose al once TO her feel.
Nina has gone to ehange her dress
Madame Carter"
''She took it upon herself to ask
you to help us out this afternoon"
the old lady added, with the sort of
gracious cruelty of which size was mis-
tress. Richard Carter gave his daugh-
ter's companion look that asked in
dulgence.
Harriet said nothing, and resumed
her seat as the old lady rustled slowly
away. who's coming?" she asked in
an undertone, to Ward, as one more
motor swept about the carriage drive.
What is 1t, Beautiful?" Ward
laughed. Harriets glorious eyes wild
ened into smiling warming His open
and boyish admiration was sort of
Joke between them. Yet in this Sec
ond, as he craned his neck to get a
glimpse of the approaching guests, a
sudden thought was born in her.
Honor had compelled her to gen
erous. policy with Ward. She had held
his admiration firmly in check she
had maintained n big-sister attitude
that was as wholesome for herself as
for him.
But here, she thought with sudden
satisfaction, might be the realization
Of her own ambition, after all. Ward
was but four years her junior, and
Ward would be Richard Carter's heir.
ITS the Bellamys and their crowd"
said Ward. watching the approach of
newcomers. Look at that man with
them, that fellow with the hair
that's Blondinl That's the man was
telling you about the other night, the
man whose name couldn't remem-
berl"
"WhoT
Harriet did not know whether she
said 1t or screamed it. She lost all
consciousness of her surroundings and
her neighbors for a few terrible sec
onds; her mouth was dry. her throat
CONSTRUCTED, and hideous weakness
ran like nausea through her entire
body. The hand with which she
touched the sugar tongs was icy cold,
pain split her forehead, and she felt
suddenly tired and broken.
Ward had gone across to greet the
Bellamys; Harriet fixed her eyes
with a sort of fascination upon the
man to whom she presently saw him
talking. Almost everyone else in the
group was looking at him, too; Royal
Blondin was used to it; one of his
favorite affectations was an apparent
Inconsistencies of being observed.
Well over six feet in height, he had
dropped his leonine head, with its
thick locks of dark hair, a little on
one side; his mobile, thin lips were
set, and his piercing eyes searched the
boys face with sort of passiona,'
attention.
Introductions were in order, every
one wanted to meet the Bellamys
friend, and Harriet saw that it pleased
him, for some inscrutable reason, t.
continue his ridiculous conversation
with the flattered Ward, and to accep
names and greetings absently, in al
aside, as it were, smiling perfunctoril!
and briefly at the eager girls ant
women. and returning Immediately t.
his concerned and passionate under
tones with the boy.
1t was Isabelle who brought him t6
the tea table. Harriet had felt, witt
sure premonition Of disaster, that II
must be. She might not escape; there
was nothing for it but courage now
Her breath was behaving badly, and
the muscles contracted in her throat
but she managed smile.
"And this is Miss Field, Mr.. Blon
din," said Isabelle. "She will give you
some teap'
Miss Field" said Royal Blondin
and his dark hand came across the