The Holbrook news., 1922-03-17

ana QuleIly out 10 lHeiIl silllliS ut him. settling herself in the chair be- side his mother. She wore white. transparent, simple; there were coral beads about her firm young threat. The dew of her deep sleep made her blue eyes wonderful; her cheeks were as pink as baby's.
 "Aren't the June days delicious?" she said. Richard studied her, smiling ly, without answering. What would she say next, where would she move her eyes, or lay her white hand, he wondered. When she murmured to his mother in an Undertone, he tried to catch the words.
 Did you have good s!eep?' Rich ard asked. She flashed him an elO- quent look.
 "Oh-the most delightful of my whole life, Eight hours without stir rlngl"
 The HOyts arrived; a handsome mother and two equally handsome daughters. Harriet went to them
 
 accepting good wishes. She took the callers to his mother, and filled their cups herself.
 "She certainly is wonderful" Rich ard said. He perfectly realized his own suddenly deepening feeling for her. but he dared not analyze it yet. When Mrs. Hoyt hinted at dinner, he took part in the conversation. Thurs day? Why not, Harriet? We have no engagement for Thursday"
 She flushed brightly, signaling to him that she had already indicated an excuse. They had never dined to- gether away from home. He need not think. said Harriet's anxious manner, that he need carry the appearance of marriage so far.
 "BUt-but aren't Nina and to be in town ThLrsday?" she ventured.
 Shopping. You can make that next week !" Richard said. He loved her confusion.
 Then We surely will! Thank you" she said to Mrs Hoyt.
 ''Thursday, then, at eight!' the caller said, departing. Richard saun- tered with them to their car, and re- turned to find Harriet half-scandal- ized, half-laughing.
 But do you want to dine with them:" she asked.
 "Why not?" His smile challenged her, and she laughed hardily.
 "I suppose there is no reason why not. Mr. Carter!'
 You can wear'-he gestured-"the black and goldy thing. They'll all be watching you!'
 ''Oh," she said, considering earnest ly, q have a much handsomer one than that. Blue and silver. You've not seen It.
 "Elue and silver, then" Richard felt a distinct regret wheh the men he expected appeared. There was but one figure of any interest to him on the shady, 1ower-scented terrace, and that was a woman's figure in a white gown
 For two or three days he was con scious of a constant interest in her ap- pearanceS and disappearances, con stant desire to please her. He was con scious of one mastering curiosity: he wanted to know just how Harriet re- garded him. It seemed suddenly of supreme importance. He thought of if in his office, and smiled to himself dur ing important business conferences, wondering about it. It seemed incred- lble to him, now, that his experiences of the past year had been so largely with Harriet. His wife's his daughters governess, his own capable and dignified house. keeper. the woman he had so hastily all seemed a different person, a quite visionary person, w;Sh whom just sue. business-like arrangements had been possible.
 But Harriet was beginning to seem to him q stranger. who possessed at once the most mysterious and child like, the most beautiful and the most baffiing personality that he had ever known. He made excuses to go home early, just to catch glimpses of this wife who was not his wife. That he had ever taken fathcrly, advisory tone with this woman was unbeliev- able; her mere approach made him catch his breath and lose his coheren- ". He had walked into her room-he had patroniZed her-he had asked her casually to marry him as if she had been fifty, and as plain as she was lovely
 Richard shuddered as he thought of it. He made constant efforts to en- gage her in personalities, but she evad ed him. There was a real thrill for him in the quiet dinner at the Hoyts. Mrs. Carter, said slow old bewhiskered John Hoyt. was an extremely pretty woman. My wife''-Richard in answer ing called her that-''looks particularly well in an evening gown." Indeed she looked exquisite in the blue and silver dress, laughing with that ador- able mist of strangeness and shyness about her-with her neighbors at the table. and afterward in the drawing room, waving her silver fan slowly while Freda Hoyt, who quite obviously adored her, whispered her long conf dences.
 Coming home in the limousine they had neighbors with them, old Doctor and Mrs. Carmichael, so he might not have the word alone with her for which he had been longing all evening. But he stopped her in the wide, dim hall way when they reached Crownlands.
 "Tired?" he said, ai the foot of the stairs.
 Not bit " There was an enchant-