The Jasper news., 1922-03-09


difficult BY llichnrd's kindly cham
pionlrg no ieaa than Ills mothers hos.
tility BY the adoring sympathy Of the
servnnts and the nffectlonnte famli.,
iarities Of the Cnrter children. Rich
ards friends took their cue from him,
as was natural, and In The irst early
winter dinner parties at Grcwnlands'
Harriet could not but sparkle and
lead; she had reached her own level
nt last.
A sense OF well-being and happiness
began to onvelop Richard Carter for
the FIRST time ID many years. He was
conscious OF desire TO express his
Appreciation to Miss Field. 1t was
natural that this should take the form
OF money; q little present, in the form
Of a check. She had sister who wns
not rich; She would like to 60 home
with laden hands. But the question
was. how much7
He was inusing over this very point
and other matters Of deeper moment
one morning when Harriet herself
came In. She returned his smile with
her usual bright nod, but he thought
she looked pale and troubled.
"Mr. Carter" she said, bravel, going
TO the point. "do you think Nina Is
able. with your mothers help, TO man
age your honser
Richard looked at her silently for
perhaps two minutes. Then he said,
quietly:
mfr. BiondIn, ehT'
The girl looked bewildered.
"My mother has given me hint, IN.
deed I've seen. that he would want to
take you away from us! Richard said.
Harriet, without any show Of emo
tion, looked down, and was silent In
her turn. But 1t was not, he saw with
surprise. the silence of confusion. On
the contrary. she seemed simply o
little thoughtful and puzzled.
"Mr. Carter. she said presently. IL
have reason to believe that Mr.. Blon-
din would be very bad husband for
Nina. had no scruple in--in divert
ing his thoughts. But IL he was the
only man In the world"-nnd to his
surprise. she slowly got to her feet.
and spoke rs II TO herself, her eyes
fixed far away-"I would sooner XIII
him than marry him" she said.
Richard sat genuinely dumfounded.
Her beauty, her assurance, and the
cleverness with which she had man
aged that Blondins allegiance should
be temporarily shifted from his own
daughter, held him mute. II was with
the charm of watching perfect acting
that he followed this extremely anus
ing and unexpected woman.
II confess that am glad to hear
III" he said. dryly.
nina is very angry at me" Harriet
said. swell. / have to stand thatr
And she gave Ninn's father a whlm.
slcal and friendly look.
"But what then?' Richard asked.
Harriet Immediately became serious
again.
"But this" she said, you know your
mother Is right. You're all too kind
to me; am really member of the
family. love 1t. love TO dress for
dinner, and order the car. and charge
things TO your accountsI But-it's
J not possible. You see thatT
Richard was quietly looking down
Now he made several parallel lines
with pencil before he looked up.
"No. / don't see thati"
"Aiary-Mrs. Putnam, for instance
who is very fond OF me; and Mrs. jay
They want to ask me to dinner-tC
Christmas parties--and they're moi
quito comfortable about II. ! am moi
a member of your family even thougf
you are kind enough TO treat me al
one. / am paid employee. and Mad
aIne Carter naturally resents theil
treating me as anything else. Blu
most of ALL" said Harriet. seeing tia
she was not making hendway, "it's my
self. Nina, and your mother, and Mrs
Tabor-it's just hint here and there
nothing at all! But II undermInes m.
position. l dress, entertain you
friends, Join you In town; II make
talk. And can't--I can't"
She stood up and turned her bael
on him proudly. and he knew that sh
was crying.
!sJust minute." Richard said. find
ing himself more shaken than h
would have believed. ut is--you'r
sure 1t isn't BlondinT
"Royal Blondlni No, ITS more serl
ous," Harriet said. ut means constan
irritation for your mother. It mean
that she is always Id state OF exas
peratiOn. think-I don't know. but
have reason to thInk-that she mad
. | A. :. ahotoa o.. nfar., rl,.auoY,. a,o2.....