The Jasper news., 1922-04-20

Z II didn't mind what any one
thought" Harriet said, reading his
thought. "Butithey didi'
''They7c Richard repeated. patiently.
'Everyone.ps she supplied, promptly.
"Your wife, your mother, Mary Put
naml Even Mrs. Tabor"
81 suppose 50 !" he. conceded, after q
pause. And beneath his breath he add
cd, "lsabeller-1dn Tabor"
His tone was all she asked OF ex-
quislte reinsurance.
81 hoped you wouldn'tl" she said.
standing up with clnsped hands and a
sudden Frightening of her tired and col
orless face. .Thats what ] tried to
make myself believe you would feeli
wanted so to leave all behind. ! Thought
he had gone, that 1t was all over, that
what 1t wns mattered more than what
II sounded like! thought could save
Nina better, with what knew, than
any one else! But last night" Harriet
added, proved TO me that L had been
all wrong. I've been SO worried" she
added, with utter faith in his decision.
81 don't knowawhat you think we had
better do"
For full minute Richard watched
her in silence. Then he said, mildly !:
about Nina, you meanT
About everythingi" Harriet sudden
ly laughed gaily, like a child. Life
seemed once more straight and pleas
ant in this exquisite June morning I;
she felt puzzled, but somehow no long
er afraid. The menaclng horrors OF all
the years. tie vague uneasIness that
she had never quite dared to face, were
fluttering about her awakening spirit
like Alice's pack of cards.
nina wilt scome into line" her fa.
ther said, tboughtfully; "she doesn't
know what she wants. wlsh-I wish
he loved herl" he aided, with faint
frown. t."Ili see him about 1t again.
Wen take her to Rio. She'll get over
it,"
And" Harriet stopped. and began
again: "And do yen want things to go
on just as they are?" she asked.
For answer Richard smiled at her in
silence.
No" he snid finally. II can't say
that do. / want you to worry less.
and to buy yourself some new gowns
and to begin TO enjoy life Shake
speare had you down fine when he
talked about conscience making cow
ards of us ail. What cid you do II for 2
A young, capable. good-looklng girl
scared by a lot Of old womenl Now,
well take up this Nina question, later
on. You'd better go up and get your
self some coffee. and go to bed for
awhile. Better plan to be in town for
a day or two, for you'll both need
clothes for the steamer"
You're very kind" the girl said, eyes
averted. voice almost naudlble. They
were both standing now, Hnrriet's head
turned aside. so that he could not see
her face, but her soft fingers resting in
| his.
I'm not kind at all! !" Richard said
with rather confused laugh. He pat
ted her hand enconraglngly. "The sea
trip will shake both you and Nina up
and do you a world If good !" he said
"YOu think" Harriet raised the
soft, dark lashes, and her splendid
weary eyes met his, you really aren't
worried aboU. Nlna?"
And she tried by very faint stirring
of her fingers TO free them and, finding
them held, dropped her eyes again.
81 think have Blondin's number
Richard said, with more force than elo
quence. Then, with a little laugh thai
was partly amused and partly embar
rassed. he let her so.
He watched the young, slender fig
ure and the shining. bare head unit
they disappeared among the grea
trees about the house.
| NU