The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-03-29
CHAPTER VII.

word and no sign from Richard, the
selves. 1t seemed to her incredible
that any woman would risk all that
Isabelle had for the sake of a fiery
boys first love, and yet, on the other
hand, there was the memory of Isa-
bellies suffering two nights ago, and
here were the amazing facts to prove
1t.
1t was for few women to enjoy the
popularity Isabelle had known. But
any woman might run away with rich
admirer. Harriet's admiration for the
cleverness with which Isabelle con-
Quoted this pretty playing with fire
disappeared, and In its place came the
sharp conviction that old-fashioned
women like Linda had some justifica-
ton, after all; it was dangerous" 1t
did lead to SIM" 1t could indeed, HAP
pen once too often"
Harriet felt her own lapsing moral
ity regaining it's standard. Just now,
when Nina most needed her mother,
when Richard was struggling with diff
icult business conditions, when Ward
was engaged
She interrupted her thoughts here,
and tried to make herself feel like
woman engaged to be married. Some
how the fact persisted in battling her.
There was an unreality about 1t that
prevented her from tasting the full
sweet. Engaged-to a rich man. and a
rich mans son. Well, perhaps when
Ward came back, it would seem more
believable
She had been standing at one of the
hall windows, a window deep set in
the brick wall, and commanding
through elms and beeches the path to
the tennis court. Hands pressed her
eyes tight, she came back to the pres
ent moment with a start. Ward Car
ter was behind her. He laughed at her
confusion, and they sat down on the
window seat together. Yes, he was
going back to the Bellamys', and so
was Blondin, but they had both come
in just for lunch and the drive.
Instantly he brought reinsurance to
her. Ward was such a dear! OF
course she loved him.
But you weren't a very good boy
last night p she said. Their hands were
locked; but she had shaken a negative
when he would have kissed her.
"Rottenl" he confessed, easily. 81
played poker, too. No man ought to
do that when he's edged. Sorry-sor
fSfa
ried it's all off. No smoking, drinking,
gambling, wine, women, or song,
whatT
you may not know it, but you never
spoke truer word ~ the girl said. His
shout Of laughter was pleasant to hear.
Listen. Does Mother know it7
About US, / mean?'
"Oh, Ward-nobody knows it,!
Hushl" His mention of his mother
brought back realization with rush,
and she added uncomfortably, "Shes
at Great Darlington"
"Oh, darn! | wanted to see her !
She wrote me, and told me she loved
been a very good mother to mel" He
laughed, yOuthfully, with bewildered
widening Of his eyes. Il thought she
was sick. Well, maybe We can stop
there going back"
"Where did you leave Mr.. Blon-
@din?"
He beat it down to the tennis
that he's stuck on Nina? 1t looks to
me like what the watch comes in!"
Harriet glanced at her wrist before
she answered him. Her heart was
sick within her. Close upon her radi-
ant dream had come this shadow, far
more a shadow now, when her respon-
sibility had infinitely increased, and
when she had had proof Of the love
and respect in which they held her
here.
IT don't think sol" she said. briefly.
IN find Bottomley, and have lunch
put ahead"
"You don't like himP' Ward said.
watching her closely.
st don't like him for Nina!" she
amended
The boy followed her while she gave
her order. Then they went out into
the blazing day together
Nina isn't going to have more
than scalp q day" said her brother,
fraternally.
nina has a fortune!" the girl re-
marked. dryly, opening her wide white
parasol
Lord. he could marry a girl with
ten times that! Look here. you don't
think a man like BlOndin would con-
,, slider thatW he protested.
st would rather see Nina dead and
buriedT" The words burst from Har-
riet against her will, against her prom
ise to Royal. There was no help fol-
| II, her essential honesty would have
its way.
Talk to him. Ward, fortunately
was not inclined TO take her too Seri-
ously You'll like him! Gosh. he
| certainly has a good effect on me-
added the youth. modestly. HE
doesn't drink. and he talks TO me
you ought to hear him about char
acter being fate. and all that! Say
listen, before we get out of the
| woods-T'
| His sudden sense of her nearness
and beauty beIied the careless words
| Harriet found his arms tight about
| her. her face tipped up to the young
| handsome face that was stirred now