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

| and Josephine tnat night, UT ruene
tossed and lay wakeful there A
about two O'Clock the wind streame
mercifully IN, hot and thick, Du
prophetic of rain, and Harriet. war
dering about to make windows fas
encountered Linda, on the same ei
rand. When the worst Of the crack
ling and flashing was over, the gil
| glanced at her watch. Three O'CLOCK
but she could sleep now. She SAM
deeply into dreams. not to stir unit
I.Inda's alarm clock, hastily smoth
cred, thrilled at seven, and the small
| girls rose with cheerful noise, to lie
streams Of hot sunshine upon her face
Immediately after breakfast tn
two small girls attacked their Satur
day mornings work with philosophi'
vigor that rather touched their aunt
Fred had hurried away after his hast]
meal; the boys were turned out Int
the backyard, which Pip was expected
to rake while he watched his small
brother.
Harriet's heart ached deeply fol-
them all as she watched the jersey
marshes from the car window re"
hours later. Josephine was to be q
stenographer when she finished nigh
school, and little Julia had expressed
an angelic ambition to teach kinder
garten class some day. Nina, at their
ages, had her pony, her finishing
school, her little silk stockings, and
her monogrammed ivory toilet SET
her trip to England and France and
Italy with her mother and brother
and grandmother.
Suppose that she, Harriet, was right
In suspecting that Wards feeling was
more than the passing gallantry OF
a light-hearted boy7 1t would be a
nine-days' wonder, his marriage at
twenty-five with his mothers secre-
tary, more than four years his senior.
But after that? After that there
would be nothing to say or do. Young
Mr.. and Mrs. Ward Carter would es-
tabilsh themselves comfortably, and
the elder Carriers would visit them :;
Isabelle absorbed as usual In her own
mysterious thoughts, and Richard
Carter
Harriet's thoughts, none too COM
Portable up to this point, stopped here,
and she flushed. She would not enjoy
telling Richard that she was to marry
his son. Those keen eyes would read
her through and through. and while
her father-in-law might love her, and
see her beauty and charm With all
the rest Of the world, Harriet knew
that she must begin an actual cam
paign for his esteem on her wedding
day. The prospect had an unexpect-
I'd piquancy. She had little fear OF
It's outcome. She would make Ward
Carter a wife for whom his father
must come to feel genuine gratitude
md devotion. There would be chill
iren. there would be hospitality and
music and q garden. And Ward |
hould seriously settle down to his
business, whatever 1t might be, and
how himself a worthy son Of his
lever father.
"Why not-why not?" Harriet asked
erself, as she reached Madame Car
er's pretentious apartment house, and
ras whisked upstairs She was to
leet Nina here. and she glanced about
or the big limousine at the curb, as an
1dication that the old lady might be
eady to accompany them back to
But there was no car In
ght. The maids first statement was
nat Miss Carter had gone home with
err brother. and then Madame Carter
anne magnificently into the room.
"Well, our bird has flown !" said the
ID lady. Harriet could see that she
as pleased about something.
Gone home with Ward?" Harriet
,ked. Madame Carter never shook
ands with her; there was conscious
lperiority In the little omission. She
INK into a chair. and Harriet sat
,wn.
Ward and his friend, this Mr.. Blon-
A." Madame Carter said "A very
teresting-a most unusual man. A
,ry good family. too-excellent old
mily. Yes. Nina assured US that she
ID to walt and go home With her
addy, but that Madame Carter
We Harriet deeply significant smile
but that didn't seem to please l
very much !" she added. $50 {
.old Nina l thought Granny would be {
lie to make 1t all right with Daddy. l
d of the young people went" ,
She rocked, with q benignly tn
1phant expression. and a complacent
stle Of silken skirts. Harriet, be- !
ath an automatic smile. hid trou-
ID heart. Royal was losing no time, c
ard his innocent instrument, and this {
.uous old lady of course playing his a
me for him q
Harriet saw that she was pleased b
d flattered BY an Older mans appar- h
admiration OF Nina and that she | n