The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-03-16
CHAPTER XIV.

night. the pendulum of the big clock
hahind Richard Garter moved to aud
fro, but for long time there was no
other sound in the library. Richard
had dropped his eyes. was idly staring
at the blank sheet of paper before
him. Royal Blondln, who had folded
his arms, for moment studied Har-
riet between half-closed lids. but pres
emily his eyes fell. too, and with
rather troubled expression he studied
the pattern of the great oriental rug.
Harriet stood motionless, turned to
stone. If there was anything to be
said in her behalf, she could not say
1t now. For the first time the full
measure of her responsibility and the
full measure of her deceit smote her.
and in utter sickness of spirit she
could advance no excuse. 1t was not
that she had failed Blondin, or that
she had failed Richard, but the extent
of her failure toward herself appalled,
her. She was not the good, brave, cul-
tivated woman she had liked to think
herself; she was one more egotist,
with Nina, and Isabelle, and Ida, un-
scrupulously playing her own game
for her own ends.
I'm extremely sorry" Richard said,
presently. in somewhat lifeless tone
II imagine that If my daughter had
known this, she might have been
spared some suffering and some hu-
initiation. But we needn't consider
that now" He was silent, frowning
family. He put up a fine hand and
adjusted his eyeglasses with little
impatient muscular twitching of his
whole face that Harriet knew to be
characteristic of his worried moods
Mr.. Blondin," he said, wearily and
politely, 81 have had great deal on
my mind, lately, and have perhaps
been hasty in my condemnation of you
However. this does not particularly
help your cause with my daughter.
There are great many aspects to the
matter, and II must take time to con-
slider them. Nina must be my first
consideration, poor childl Her mother
failed her-we have all failed her /
She has right to know of this con-
versation-"
Harriet stirred, and his eyes moved
to her. Without n word, and with a
stricken look in her beautiful, ashen
face, she turned. and went slowly
toward the door. When she reached
it, she steadled herself a second by
pressing one fine hand against the
dark wood, then she opened it and was
gone.
I'm very sorry" Blondin said hesi-
tatingly. when the men were alone.
Mrs. Carter" Richard said. get
ting to his feet. and very definitely
indicating an end to the conversation.
before she consented to the-arrange-
ment into which we entered. of course
took me into her confidence In this
matter"
"She-she did" Royal stammered.
Certainly she did," Richard said,
harshly. And looking at him the other
man saw that his face looked haggard
and colorless. "She did not mention
your name. l presume out of a sense
OF generosity to you. l could have
Wished" he added, that you had been
similarly generous, and had seen fit
to leave her and leave my daughter
alone. think must ask you to ex-
cuse me-" said Richard at the door.
His tone was one Of absolute suffoca-
ton. II can see no object In your
frankness tonight. unless to distress
and humiliate Mrs. Carter. My daugh-
ter, and not myself. is the one entitled
to your confidence, and you are we'll.
aware Of my feeling where she is con-
cerned! I would to God" said Rich
ard, with bitterness. that had never
seen your face Mrs. Carter has been
a useful-and Indispensable !-member
Of this family for many years; IL there
was In her past some unpleasant and
painful event, that Is her own af-
fair"
mot when she marries man who
is unaware Of It," Blondin suggested.
In. his pleasant, soft tones.
"That is mine!" Richard said, stern
ly. And he opened the library door.
Good EVENING"" he said.
Good EVENING" Blondin, with his
light, lettering step, crossed the thresh-
old, and Richard closed the door He
took his chair again and reached
toward the bell that would have
brought Bottomley to summon Nina
In turn. But halfway to the bell his
resolution wavered, disappeared. In
stead, he rested his elbows on the
table, and his head In his hands, and
there sounded from his chest a great
sigh that was almost a groan.
Oh, he was tired-he was tired-he
was tired II was all mess-the boy,
the girl, their mother, his own ar
rangements for their protection and
safety. All a mess.
She had been beautiful, that girl,
with her golden hair In the lamplight,
and her white arms little raised to
rest her locked hands on the chair.
Like some superb actress of tragedy,
Soma snlendid and sullen nrisOner af