Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1922-04-06

By KATHLEEN NORRIS


to herself, "Oh, you're real-you're
honest-I like you'll"
1t was delightful to get back into
the familiar atmosphere, to catch the
fragrance Of flowers in the orderly
gloom downstairs, to take of her hat
and her hot, dusty clothing, and have
a leisurely hot bath; to put on fresh
and fragrant summer wear, and to go
downstairs presently, rejoicing In be-
ing young and comfortable, and ire
mendously interested in life. The sig
niflcance Of Richard Carriers parting
look, it's honest admiration and friend
illness, augmented by her own glance
at a chance mirror on her way up
stairs, stayed with her pleasantly.
At one end of the terrace there was
an awning whose shade fell upon the
brick flooring and the jars Of bloom;
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
little In her heart. The boy was
handsome, and fascinating, and rich,
but 1t was just little unusual to have
Isabelle so openly interested in any
one.
Underlined and vague, this was still
somewhere In the background of her
thoughts as she returned to Crown
lands, and when she met Ward Car
ter. wrestling with the engine Of his
own rather dlsreputable racing car,
out in one Of the clean, graveled
spaces near the garage.
Harriet felt a little Quickening of
her pulses as she saw him. There was
no .mistaking the pleasure In his eyes
as she came close.
spark plugs" she asked, with the
sympathy of one to whom the peculi-
arities Of the car were familiar.
"She's fixed now; I've just cleaned
EN-" Ward announced, flinging away
his cigarette and Strengthening his
back. She'll go like bird, now. Say,
get ip and try her, will your he asked,
eagerly. Come On-cOme on, be
spOrt! But perhaps he was as much
surprised as delighted when she very
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 witches as If she wanted to
laugh, she is beauty-that's what she
is |"
About a 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 silent
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. 'Tve been waiting
long enough. can't stand it any
longer! l can't go away tomorrow,
perhaps for two weeks, and not
know"
Ward" the girl faltered, lifting an
exquisite face that wore, even in the
faint mOOnshine, a troubled and in
tense expression, cant we let 1t 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.
"YoU5l see a dozen younger girls at
the BHlamys' camp" Harriet rea-
soned, girls with whom it would be
infinitely more suitable"
"Please!" he interrupted, patiently.
And almost touching her warm, smooth
cheek with his own, and coming so