The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-02-17

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with Fox that she made the return
trip. Richard came back by train,
saving an hour. and was at the Office
when they got there. Harriet did not
see him again; he was In conference
and presently she quietly got back
into the motorcar. and on her way to
meet Nina she slipped the plain circle
Of gold into her handbag.
She had 1t out tonight, and put II
on her bare, pretty hand. and held II
to the fire, and slowly the events of
the bewildering and firing day wheeled
before her, and only the reality of the
ring assured her that 1t was not all a
confused dream. Married. And all
alone before the glowing Goals, weary
from hostile encounters, on her mar
riage night
She had intended to write to Linda
tonight; Linda was vexed with her,
and small wonderl For Harriet had
left the little New Jersey house al
most without farewells, had come
down to an earlier breakfast even
than Fred's, and had said briefly that
she was returning to the Carriers, and
would see them all soon.
Why hadn't she told Linda7 Well,
| for one reason, she had hardly be-
lleved her own memory Of the talk on
Christmas day with Richard. Then
she had feared opposition, feared
intervals Of mourning; Linda's frank
belief that there was no strong per-
sonal feeling involved on Richards
part; Linda's advice to a bride.
Harriet's face burned at the mere
thought Of 1t. No, she couldn't tell
Linda yet; she was too tired to write
tonight, anyway. Linda and Fred had
not been at all approving. Christmas
night. David had reproached her, had
disappeared earlier than was expect
ed or necessary; they had not failed
Of their suspicious.
swell l must go to bed" she said
aloud, suddenly. She stood, one elbow
on the mantel, her beautiful eyes fixed
on the dying fire. 1t was midnight
the room and the house very still. 1T
isn't exactly what 1 expected marriage
to be-" she unused. "But after all,"
she said to herself, beginning to move
about with last preparations for bed"
I'm married to the man love-noth-
ing can change that. And If he doesn't
love me, he likes me. I've done moth,
ing wrong, and II my life is just lit
tie different from most women's, why,
I shall have to make the best of 1t
And / did tell him-I did tell him"
And her thoughts went back to the
first few minutes she had spent In
Richards office that day. They had
been alone, discussing the last details
of their astonishing plan. when she
had suddenly taken the plunge.
mr.. Carter. there Is just one thing
OF course" Harriet's cheeks had
famed, "of course. this marriage OF
ours is not the usual marriage, and
yet, there is just one thing of which /
would like to speak to you before we
we go up to Greenwich" And find |
Ing his gray eyes pleasantly fixed upon
her she had gone on, confused but de- |
termined: I'm twenty-seven now
and perhaps / might have married |
some other man before this-except |
that-when l was seventeen[I did
fall In love with a mani And we
were to be married." She had
stopped short; II was incredibly hard.
HE had-or thought he had, brought
tremendously big and won
derful into my lIfe," Harriet had con-
tinued, "and 1 was stupid little girl,
just taking care Of my sisters babies
and reading my fathers books"
"You are under no obligation to tell
me anything of this" Richard had
said, kindly, far more concerned for
her distress than interested IN what
she was saying. II must have known
that there were admirers 1 assure
you that"
mo, but just momentl" Harriet
had interrupted him. 81 was infatu-
lted-I knew that at once, God knows
we known 1t ever since l went away
With him, little fool that I wasl ]"
A CLEAN of genuine surprise had
,ome into Richard Carter's eyes, and
lie looked at her without speaking.
~ was taken Ill the day l left with
lip. While I was getting well l had
line to think It over. ] knew then /
vas too young and too ignorant to be
my mans wife. was frightened and
well, l ran away; went back to
ny sister. Both she and her husband
egarded me after that as in some way
marked, unprincipled, unworthy"
Poor child" Richard had said.
They naturally would. You were no
nore than Nina's ager
$50 that's my history" Harriet had ,
nished. simply. II thought / had I
one with men. And there have been {
zen, men like Ward, for instance, to |
ihom l could have been married with |
ut feeling that need make any men !
ion of that old time. But l wanted '
D tell you"
THANK you very much" Richard
ad said, graveIy. "If the protection {
my name and my house seems wei |
ONE to you. after some battling with '
10 xrorId N will ha O N additional emf | I