The Holbrook news., 1922-02-03
CHAPTER TX.

The move to Huntington was made quickly and quietly, and lazy weeks followed, to Harriet weeks of almost cloudless content. Ward, early in Au- gust, after a serious talk with Harriet, joined some friends for a motor run of three thousand miles, and presently was sending them post cards from Monterey and Tahoe
 They had been in the new home only few days when Harriet had reason to stop short in busy morning .,f unpacking with one hand upon ner heart, and great satisfaction in her eyes. Nina, reading from a note from Royal BlOndin, announced the sensa- tional news that he had broken his ankle. He was with friends at New port, and must remain there now for weeks, perhaps month. Nina was please to write to him, and to give his regard to Miss Field, and ask her not to forget him.
 For several weeks they were safe. Nina did not know the family Royal had been visiting, there was long interval before she could possibly see him again. He would write to the girl, of course, and Harriet knew with what absorbing emotion she would look for his letters. But Nina was young and Nina wrote wretchedly, and anything might happen, thought Harriet, con soling herself with a vague argument that was in itself youthful, too.
 With September came changes. Blondin wrote that he was limping about with a stick, and wanted to Ii down to them as soon as they woo ask him. Ward was home again, as always irresponsible, little older and in some vague way little coarSer. Harriet thought, but still a most en- livening element in the quiet house hold. Madame Carter had brought with her, for several weeks stay. $ friend of Isabelle's, a pretty, dashins little grass widow, Mrs. Tabor The resolute brightness and sweetness with which Ida Tabor attempted to amuse Richard gave Harriet some hirt of the plan which was taking shape in the back of his mothers head. But she could only make Mrs. Tabor com fortable, and fit her somehow into the youthful plans of the household.
 Nina, Ward and Harriet fairly lived in the water, and Ward had uncon- SciOusly served his fathers cause by bringing home with him a tOngue-tied pleasant youth named Saunders Archer, whose presence in the house had helped to keep Nina pleased and amused. She had already imparted to Harriet the valuable information that Saunders had never known his mother, and had never had a sister, ''and of course I have always been such an Oddity in the family" said Nina, that I got right at his confidence in that dreadful way of mine! He said he didn't know why he talked to me so frankly"
 Harriet had seen to it that a variety of delightful plans awaited the young people at every turn. The retirement natural after the recent domestic ca tastrOphe was too dangerous to risk now. And Harriet hoped. hoped, hoped. feverishly, necessarily, wearyingiy, that the danger was past.
 But Amy came down, mild and col Orless as ever, yet still more poised more socially adep- than Nirn aa1 with Amy innocently divert'n- Saln- derS baShful attentions. N'na TO turned to thoughts of Royal lie ..as coming down with Madame Carter and Mrs. Tabor in her car. Richard was bringing two men down for golf this weekend, and with Saunders and Amy, Royal and Madame Carter and Mrs. Tabor, the house would be filled. She had plenty to do with the man. aging, the endless details that were brought her mercilessly. hour after hour, by maids and housekeeper And yet under her quiet busyness and her happy hours with the young people there lurked necessarily a fretted sense of danger approaching.
 Something of this was in her mind as she and Nina basked on the gently heaving float, in the sunshine. Nina talked necessarily of Blondin. liar riet fancied she saw an opening for a little talk she felt extremely timely.
 CTo be continued next week)